Numatic International, the renowned manufacturer of the Henry Hoover vacuum cleaner, has inaugurated a groundbreaking £1 million solar farm in Chard, Somerset. This pioneering micro-solar park, spanning five acres and installed by SunGift Solar, will directly supply clean energy to Numatic’s plastic moulding operations—one of the most energy-intensive stages in producing Henry Hoovers.
Featuring 2,672 advanced solar panels equipped with AIKO All-Back-Contact (ABC) cells and Sigenergy’s hybrid inverters, the installation generates over seven percent more electricity per panel than traditional ground-mounted solar arrays. This cutting-edge technology is expected to fulfill approximately 20% of the company’s annual on-site electricity usage, occasionally reaching 100% on bright days.
Stephen George, Numatic International’s Regulatory Affairs and Sustainability Manager, highlighted the dual benefits of the project: “By investing in state-of-the-art solar technology, we are not only reducing our environmental impact but also safeguarding our operations against escalating energy costs. This initiative, part of our ‘Operation Cleansweep’ sustainability goals, exemplifies what can be achieved by rethinking the use of limited space.”
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The solar farm will enable Numatic to power the annual production equivalent of 500,000 Henry Hoovers solely through solar energy. It will also cut carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 267 tonnes each year—comparable to removing 58 average passenger cars from the road. The company’s investment is projected to pay for itself in under five years, with potential returns in as little as two and a half years given current energy prices.
Gabriel Wondrausch, Director at SunGift Solar, explained the strategy behind the project: “Initially intended for manufacturing expansion, this site was reimagined as a high-efficiency solar installation. By employing commercial-grade panels typically used in residential settings, we transformed a small parcel of land into a vital solar resource that covers a fifth of Numatic’s annual energy needs. This project sets a strong example for other manufacturers aiming to integrate sustainable energy on-site.”
Numatic’s innovative solar farm marks a significant step toward the company’s ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2035, underlining its commitment as a responsible and forward-looking manufacturer.