An office block in Bedminster has turned its roof into a “renewable power station” by installing money-saving, carbon-cutting solar panels thanks to funding from Dan Norris’s West of England Mayoral Authority.


Developments Bristol, a Victoria Grove-based housing, development and property investment firm, received a £15,000 Mayoral green grant with Bedminster based Solar Sun and Air designing, and the installing a 40 "kWp" on-roof solar system.


They've installed dozens of solar panels on the new office building which they’ve refurbished now home to 30 local firms – including Billys Bikes, who operate a growing bike repair and sales workshop, and Hi Vibe Yoga who operate a new state-of-the art Yoga studio - cutting the building’s energy usage by 50%, and annual bills by £14,000-plus.


It’s all part of Mayor Norris’ plan to help firms cut their greenhouse gas emissions while easing the cost of energy bills - a win-win for companies, and the planet.


Over 200 West of England companies have received grants from the Mayor totalling £1.9 million, cutting over 2,000 tonnes of emissions region wide each year.


Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, who opened the new ‘Monarch House’ building including checking out the new solar panels, said:

“We have a relentless focus on helping Bristol’s firms and charities to save carbon and cut bills.

“The climate emergency is the biggest challenge we face and I am proud to be working with the new Government that has made clean energy one of its driving missions.”

Adam Phelps, from Developments Bristol, added:

"We at Developments Bristol think it is really important that businesses like ours play their part in the West of England's - and the UK's - net zero journey.

"This grant from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has made a real difference in allowing us to cut our emissions and bills at Monarch House. We are proud to lead a forward looking business doing its bit to fight the climate crisis locally."

westofengland-ca.gov.uk