Logistics & Haulage
108-panel array with 62kW Sunsynk battery rack.
Originally established in 1946 as a steel haulier, Shepherd Distribution has grown through their outstanding reputation. Their large south-facing roof allowed 108 Tenka solar panels, paired with a 50kW three-phase Sunsynk hybrid inverter and a 61.44kW high-voltage Sunsynk battery rack.
Like most logistics & haulage operations, Shepherd Distribution faced a structural exposure to wholesale electricity prices — a cost line that doubled for many UK businesses between 2021 and 2023 and shows no sign of returning to pre-crisis levels. With significant daytime load and suitable roof space, on-site generation was the obvious lever, but the project needed to stand on its own commercial merits: predictable payback, manufacturer-backed warranties, and zero operational disruption during install.
Following a structural roof survey and DNO capacity check, Alliant Energy specified a 65kW array using 108 high-efficiency mono-PERC panels, paired with a 50kW hybrid inverter and 62kW of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage. The 50kW platform was chosen for its export-management capability and remote firmware updates, allowing the array to be tuned over its life without site visits. Battery storage was sized to absorb mid-day generation peaks and discharge across the early evening, lifting on-site solar self-consumption from a typical 35–45% to over 70%.
The full installation completed in 4 days, scheduled around the customer's operating hours to avoid downtime. Work was carried out by Alliant Energy's directly employed Experienced engineers — no subcontracted labour. The system was commissioned to G99 requirements, registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, and handed over with monitoring access, electrical certification, and structural sign-off documents on the day of completion.
In its first full year of operation the system is on track to save Shepherd Distribution approximately £22,389 on electricity costs, with a payback term of 2.9 Years and a projected total ROI of 1,790%. Over the 25-year warranted life of the panels, the cumulative saving is forecast at £1,239,410 — a figure that improves materially if grid prices continue their long-term upward trend, and that benefits from the UK's 100% full-expensing capital allowance for qualifying solar assets.
The installation displaces roughly 13 Tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year compared with grid-sourced electricity. Over the system's 25-year design life that is the equivalent of removing more than Shepherd Distribution's entire annual Scope 2 footprint several times over — a material data point for ESG, B-Corp and net-zero reporting frameworks.
Logistics & Haulage businesses typically run daytime electrical loads — refrigeration, machinery, IT, lighting, compressors — that overlap closely with solar generation. That overlap is what drives strong economics: every unit generated and consumed on-site replaces a unit that would otherwise be bought from the grid at full commercial rates. The Shepherd Distribution project demonstrates how the model scales for this kind of operation.
Alliant Energy installed a 65kW solar PV system using 108 panels paired with a 50kW inverter and 62kW of battery storage. The installation took 4 days from arrival on site to commissioning.
Shepherd Distribution saves approximately £22,389 per year on electricity, with projected lifetime savings of £1,239,410 over the system's 25-year guaranteed performance period. The payback term is 2.9 Years, delivering a total ROI of 1,790%.
This project was paid for directly by the customer. Under the UK's full-expensing capital allowance, the entire cost can be deducted from corporation tax in year one — improving the effective payback meaningfully for profitable companies.
The system avoids around 13 Tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year compared with grid-sourced electricity. Over a 25-year design life that's a material contribution toward Scope 2 reduction and any ESG or net-zero reporting commitments the business holds.
Probably — the same hardware platform (panels, hybrid inverter, optional battery) scales from roughly 10kW up to 1MW+. The deciding factors are roof area, daytime electricity use, current unit rate, and grid-connection capacity. Alliant Energy carries out a free desktop feasibility study and follow-up site survey before quoting.
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We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality renewable energy solutions. Our experienced installers ensure every system is fitted to the highest standards, backed by a 25-year performance warranty and fully insured installations for total peace of mind.
