From the Rooftops: How floating solar panels will power a pioneering Ipswich nursery

Welcome to the fourth edition of From the Rooftops!

In this issue, we're looking beyond rooftops to explore how solar technology is finding innovative applications in our region.

We visit Suffolk Fresh's pioneering nursery in Bramford, where 1,250 solar panels are being installed not on a roof, but floating on water – a cutting-edge solution that will power one of the UK's most advanced agricultural facilities.

We're also joined by Mid Suffolk District Council leader Andrew Mellen , who sets out his authority's "rooftops before rural" principle and details the impressive range of solar initiatives councils are delivering across Babergh and Mid Suffolk. From leisure centres to village halls, and from business support schemes to upcoming installations at 32 secondary schools, it's a comprehensive look at how local government is driving the solar revolution across our county.

As always, we want to hear your stories. If you've made the switch to solar or have insights to share, get in touch.

How floating solar panels will power this pioneering Ipswich nursery

By Oliver Rouane-Williams

A 750kWp floating solar installation spanning 3,500 square metres is being built at Bramford to supply 20% of the energy needs at Suffolk Fresh's semi-closed hydroponic glasshouse, demonstrating how renewable technology can support sustainable food production.

Why it matters: The project combines clean energy generation with innovative agriculture at a nursery that produces 4.5 million kilos of tomatoes annually, showcasing how floating solar can provide practical solutions for energy-intensive food production.

The details: Woodbridge-based East Green Energy Ltd has partnered with National Pontoon to install approximately 1,250 solar panels on floating pontoons over the next three to four weeks.

The panels are mounted on pontoons fixed at an optimum angle for solar generation and securely anchored to the reservoir bund using a bespoke anchoring system. The installation will generate enough electricity to power Suffolk Fresh's refrigeration systems, a critical component of their hydroponic growing process.

Suffolk Fresh's Bramford nursery is the UK's first semi-closed hydroponic glasshouse and covers 8.4 hectares, equivalent to 11 football pitches.

What they're saying: "This is a hugely exciting step forward in combining clean energy with innovative agriculture," said Jack Gawthrop , commercial manager at East Green Energy. "Floating solar offers a smart, space-efficient solution, and we're proud to be working with National Pontoon and Suffolk Fresh on delivering a project that champions both sustainability and local innovation."

Lee Nicholls , project manager at National Pontoon, added: "It's exciting to see a project of this scale come to life. The combination of engineering precision and environmental benefit makes this one of the most forward-thinking installations we've been involved in."

The bigger picture: Floating solar technology has grown rapidly since 2016, with global installed capacity rising from 3GW in 2020 to 13GW in 2022. The technology can achieve higher efficiencies than land-based solar panels because water cools the panels, while the floating arrays also provide shade that slows evaporation and inhibits algae growth.

Construction is already underway, with site setup complete and major deliveries including 15km of cable and 100 tonnes of material to create a new access and work area.

For context: East Green Energy is a Suffolk-based renewable energy specialist offering bespoke solar, electric vehicle charging and battery solutions across the south east. With over 15 years' experience, the company combines expert advice with full-service installation and support.

The bottom line: The Bramford floating solar project demonstrates how renewable energy technology can be integrated with sustainable food production, providing a practical example of clean energy supporting one of the region's most innovative agricultural facilities.

How councils are innovating to deliver more solar

By Andy Mellen

Mid Suffolk District Council leader Andy Mellen argues that when it comes to solar energy, the principle should be simple: rooftops before rural.

More renewable energy production is essential for the country to meet its climate objectives.

But we want this to be achieved with the least impact on the environment, and when it comes to solar, our strong preference is "rooftops before rural".

Mid Suffolk District Council, alongside our Babergh District Council neighbours (with whom we share a workforce), has taken a pioneering approach to solar energy over a number of years.

How Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are supporting local businesses to install solar on their rooftops

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have teamed up with West Suffolk Council to offer companies access to the successful Solar for Business initiative.

Businesses can now reduce their carbon emissions and save money on energy bills by signing up to have solar panels provided and installed on their premises, for free.

Electricity generated by the panels is then sold to the business at a rate lower than their current tariff, helping to slash energy bills and improve their bottom line.

Solar for Business has been running successfully in West Suffolk for nine years – helping over 100 companies to save a total of around £700,000 and 2,000 tonnes in harmful CO2 emissions per year.

The initiative has recently been extended to businesses across Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

To be eligible, businesses must be within West Suffolk, Babergh or Mid Suffolk's district boundaries, and must have a minimum electricity consumption of 5,000kWh per year. For a firm paying 25p/kWh this would mean electricity bills of around £1,250 per year.

It is a great example of your local councils working together and using our local knowledge and expertise to deliver initiatives tailored for our local businesses.

To find out more about the scheme, email environment@westsuffolk.gov.uk, call 01284 757631 or visit www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/solarforbusiness.

Installing solar on the rooftops of our own council buildings

Mid Suffolk and Babergh had already demonstrated its commitment to solar power with a pioneering £2.8m investment across a range of sites back in 2021/22.

This included:

• Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, Stowmarket (500 solar panels, 195 kWp, as well as an air source heat pump and air handling unit)
• Stradbroke Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre (104 solar panels, 40.6 kWp)
• Hadleigh Pool and Leisure (380 solar panels, 148.2 kWp)
• Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Sudbury (294 solar panels, 111.7 kWp)

More than 100 leisure centre car parking spaces in Sudbury and Stowmarket were also covered with solar panelled carports – Mid Suffolk and Babergh were among the UK's first rural local authorities to trial the technology.

Seventy of the spaces under a solar canopy are located at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, installed to provide more than 20% of the centre's annual electricity demand. Rooftop solar at the centre contributes a further 18%.

Forty are located at Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Sudbury, which aims to provide over 16% of the centre's annual electricity demand, with rooftop solar at Kingfisher contributing towards a further 38%.

Each site also includes battery storage so excess energy produced during sunnier periods can be saved for later, as well as supplying electric vehicle charging points.

Although the funding pressures faced by all local authorities make retrofitting the entire stock of council housing with solar panels financially prohibitive, through its role as the local planning authority, expectations are set for developers building new homes within the districts.

Developers are encouraged to be as energy efficient as possible by utilising solar gain and providing low-carbon energy generation wherever feasible.

Mid Suffolk District Council wholly owns Gateway 14, Stowmarket , which is developing the Gateway 14 innovation and logistics park on the outskirts of Stowmarket, and is a part of the Freeport East site.

All units, including the 1.17 million sq ft distribution centre for The Range, boast either BREEAM excellent or good ratings, including smart energy systems, rainwater harvesting and solar PV arrays.

Mid Suffolk's new £18m Stowmarket Innovation Gateway on the site will incorporate a biosolar roof system, with green roofing and solar PV panels.

Supporting solar on the rooftops of community buildings

There is also support available to both businesses and community organisations through the Rural Business Growth Fund, offering capital grants of up to £15,000 to projects with a focus on sustainability and investment in net zero infrastructure.

This money is coming through the government's Rural England Prosperity Fund, with further information on the Heart of Suffolk website.

Community and environment charity Groundwork East has also partnered with local authorities in the area to deliver free and impartial expert advice to help businesses and organisations save energy, reduce their emissions and establish tailored decarbonisation plans – including installation of solar PV.

More information about the Net Zero Business Advisor can be found at carboncharter.org/suffolk-business-consultancy. Organisations can call 01473 350370 or email netzerosuffolk@groundwork.org.uk to speak to a Net Zero consultant.

Plans are also in development to place solar panels on up to 32 secondary schools across Suffolk.

This follows agreement in late 2024 by the Suffolk Public Sector Leaders group – which includes Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils – to provide £3.72 million in funding to the Schools Solar Installation & Climate Action Fund project.

The power generated will be sold at a discounted rate, saving schools money on their energy bills and lowering their carbon footprint.

Mid Suffolk and Babergh have also awarded more than £120,000 in developer contributions to community solar schemes over the last 18 months alone – enabling solar panels to be added to village halls across the districts.

Recently, this has included Blackbourne Community Centre, Elmswell, Walsham Le Willows Memorial Hall, and Glemsford, Rickinghall, Shimpling and Tattingstone village halls.

Finally, further funding is also available for community projects tackling climate change and carbon reduction through the Suffolk Climate Action Community Match Funder.

In other news

We want to hear from you!

Have you got a case study, success story, or unique perspective on renewable energy? We'd love to feature your experience in our From the Rooftops campaign. Whether you're a business owner who's made the switch to solar, a sustainability leader with insights to share, or have questions about getting started, get in touch with oliver@ipswich.co.uk to discuss how you can join Suffolk's rooftop solar revolution.