• Swindon & Wiltshire Eco
• Wednesday August 6 2025

Solar scheme at Swindon factory performs better than expected

Corrugated packaging manufacturer GWP Packaging has marked the first anniversary of installing solar panels at its Cricklade site by calculating the impact it has had on the business.

Installed in July 2024 at a cost of £235,000, the firm says the system has performed better than expected, generating around seven per cent more energy than initially forecast.

The system, installed by leading solar PV and wind supplier, CleanEarth Energy on two buildings at the company’s manufacturing site, has generated a combined 360 MWh of energy over the first 12 months.

Almost 5,000 typical UK homes could be powered for 24 hours using the electricity the system has generated over the past year.

Additionally, the system has also saved the equivalent of 75 tonnes of CO2 emissions since its installation.

Ruth Cook, managing director at GWP Packaging, said: “We’re delighted to see the impact that the solar panels are already having, from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint.

“As packaging manufacturers, we are acutely aware of our responsibility to the environment. So, as well as the work we do in reducing material use, minimising transport emissions through smaller packs, and using recyclable and FSC-certified materials, it’s great to know we are powering our manufacturing equipment in the most sustainable way too.”

GWP Group currently employs around 100 people across two sites in Cricklade and Salisbury designing and manufacturing a wide range of bespoke protective packaging products.

Corrugated packaging manufacturer GWP Packaging has marked the first anniversary of installing solar panels at its Cricklade site by calculating the impact it has had on the business.

Installed in July 2024 at a cost of £235,000, the firm says the system has performed better than expected, generating around seven per cent more energy than initially forecast.

The system, installed by leading solar PV and wind supplier, CleanEarth Energy on two buildings at the company’s manufacturing site, has generated a combined 360 MWh of energy over the first 12 months.

Almost 5,000 typical UK homes could be powered for 24 hours using the electricity the system has generated over the past year.

Additionally, the system has also saved the equivalent of 75 tonnes of CO2 emissions since its installation.

“We’re delighted to see the impact that the solar panels are already having, from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint,” said Ruth.

“As packaging manufacturers, we are acutely aware of our responsibility to the environment. So, as well as the work we do in reducing material use, minimising transport emissions through smaller packs, and using recyclable and FSC-certified materials, it’s great to know we are powering our manufacturing equipment in the most sustainable way too.”

GWP Group currently employs around 100 people across two sites in Cricklade and Salisbury designing and manufacturing a wide range of bespoke protective packaging products.