Following the installation of a new solar array system at its main manufacturing site, apetito has worked with renewable energy partner SolarSense to donate its old panels to charity Paul’s Place.
Paul’s Place enhances the lives of physically, cognitive, and sensory disabled adults. Through providing social activities, the charity helps individuals to develop new skills and enjoy new experiences, all whilst reducing isolation.
Upon installation of its new panels, apetito turned its focus to responsible decommissioning of the previous panels to ensure they did not end up in landfill, looking for a meaningful reuse solution aligned with its broader commitment to sustainable leadership and social responsibility.
Through working in partnership, the businesses arranged donation of the 159 panels to Paul’s Place, as well as providing a full installation service, supporting its expansion to a brand-new ‘Hub’ in Yate, South Gloucestershire. This contribution will significantly support operations at the charity’s new facility and help to reduce monthly running costs, allowing more of the money raised to go on enhancing the lives of those supported by Paul’s Place.
Paul’s Place CEO Lynda Williams said: “Moving to Paul’s Place Hub means we have more space and can increase our membership – and with over one hundred solar panels going on the roof, we’ll have more money to spend on the members, rather than building facilities.
“Prior to this, we were looking at electricity bills of £1,200 - £1,500 per month. When you put that across a year, that is a phenomenal amount of money we need to raise to just get us through the year.
“Having apetito and SolarSense come along and say that we can not only put panels on the roof, but provide the scaffolding, inverters and fire kill switches too – and make it all happen – has an extraordinary impact for us as a very small charity.”
Lottie Percy, sustainability Manager at apetito, commented: “As a business passionate about leading the way in sustainability and driving social value within the communities that we serve, it was extremely important to us that these panels did not end up going to waste and a better reuse solution could be found.
“It has been a real pleasure working closely with SolarSense to get this new site running on as much renewable energy as possible. This installation not only reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and helps another organisation lower its carbon footprint but also empowers the charity to concentrate its resources where they matter most - bettering the lives of its members.”
Christopher Ashfield, director of Sales at SolarSense, added: “Solar doesn’t just give you a monetary saving, but it gives a position of resilience due to no longer being as reliant on energy from the grid. This offers some protection from economic changes in the outside world, which will undoubtedly help a charity like Paul’s Place moving forward.
“Partnerships like this one reflect our dedication to supporting the community whilst promoting environmental responsibility, and we’re proud to be contributing through a project that delivers meaningful outcomes for both people and the planet.”
