Ground breaking Solar Project at Whittle House, Coventry

Green Energy Technical Services Ltd (GET Services) Partners with Heart of England Co-operative Society for Ground-breaking Solar Project at Whittle House, Leading to Expanded Collaboration in 2023/2024

In a ground-breaking partnership, Green Energy Technical Services Ltd (GET Services) has collaborated with the Heart of England Co-operative Society on a pioneering sustainability project at Whittle House in Coventry. This initiative, which commenced on 7 June 2023, demonstrates GET Services' commitment to environmental responsibility and energy optimisation.

At the heart of the project is solar energy integration, which has transformed Whittle House's rooftop into a cutting-edge solar powerhouse, generating 81.9 kWp of clean, renewable energy. The installation includes 180 JA Solar 455 W modules, 2 SolarEdge

Clews Recycling’s plans for further growth after 70 per cent turnover increase

A waste management and recycling company in Warwickshire is planning for further growth after a 70 per cent increase in its turnover in the past four years.

Clews Recycling, which was established in 1999, started life operating Household Waste Recycling Centres for local authorities but has expanded since 2007 and now focuses on its industrial and commercial customers.

The business runs a fleet of 10 HGV trucks and a waste transfer station on Hunters Lane, Rugby, that handles 25,000 tonnes of waste each year. The waste is sorted into recyclables with value such as metal, cardboard, polythene or into those wastes that have a lower cost of final disposal such as soil, wood and hardcore.

Clews Recycling has received support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub since 2015 – a year after the Growth Hub was launched – receiving grants to buy machinery, recruitment and training.

Since 2019, the business has grown its turnover to nearly £5 million and increased its workforce to 34 members of staff and plans are in the pipeline for a new baler to produce bale refuse derived fuel, fit solar panels on the roof to reduce its energy costs and a shredder for electrical equipment and computer hard-drives.

Richard Clews, Managing Director at Clews Recycling, said: “In 2015, the Growth Hub helped us design and purchase a specialist hopper for lightweight waste, contribute towards mobile plant and assist with the enabling works to pull all the strands together to help us reach recycling rates of between 85 to 88 per cent.

inverters (17 kW and 33.3 kW capacities), and 91 SolarEdge Optimisers (P950), meticulously designed for optimal energy conversion.

By 17 August 2023, the solar installation had produced 25.53 MWh of clean energy, demonstrating GET Services' commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability.

GET Services' collaboration with the Heart of England Co-operative Society has reduced approximately 5,000 kg of CO2 emissions, meeting 57% of the Co-op Head Office's energy needs. This partnership emphasises GET Services' role as a trailblazer in sustainable energy practices, setting an example for others.

Furthermore, the Heart of England Cooperative Society is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with GET Services in 2023/2024. Together, they will embark on an additional 20 sustainability projects, solidifying GET Services as a trusted partner in advancing environmental goals.

In conclusion, Green Energy Technical Services Ltd (GET Services) is playing a leading role in driving sustainable energy practices through its partnership with the Heart of England Co-operative Society. The Whittle House solar installation exemplifies the value of innovative collaborations in achieving ambitious environmental objectives. As the sun powers this endeavour, GET Services is illuminating a path towards a more energy-efficient future for Coventry and beyond.

“The financial benefits through the grants we have received over the last eight years have made a difference in contributing towards buying capital equipment but it is also great to have someone on your side to listen, make valuable contributions and to want you to be successful – that’s worth its weight in gold.”

The firm is training five Ukrainian staff to improve their English so they can undergo forklift truck training and another member of staff is studying for an NVQ level 4 in Waste Management.

In April, the firm expanded to take over an adjacent industrial unit next door for WEEE destruction and plant repairs.

Craig Humphrey, CEO of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, added: "Clews Recycling is operating within a sector that is heavily legislated and Government and European directives that apply to the waste sector can sometimes be overbearing. With the help we have given through grants, skills and training, it has led to the company increasing its turnover and increasing jobs which has led to improved productivity and that for me, as the CEO of a business support organisation, is fantastic to see.”