Solar savings cut 17% off company’s energy bills

The University of Central Lancashire’s Making Carbon Work project (MaCaW) and a £15,000 grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) are helping one of Lancashire’s most respected names in fresh food supply cut its energy costs and carbon.

For almost 50 years, B Cookson Limited has been a trusted name in fresh produce wholesaling. Originally operating from Preston’s Bow Lane Wholesale market, the company moved to purpose-built facilities in Fulwood, Preston in 2000.

The site is energy intensive. The large walk-in refrigerators that hold stock and keep products fresh are in operation 24/7. Multiple forklifts load and unload large HGVs and smaller vans. And a large office space is home to an admin and sales team that supports the business.

B Cookson Limited was no stranger to carbon reduction activities. “We already had around 40 solar panels in place and were using LED lighting,” explains Accounts Manager Nicola Morley. “We wanted to do more and find new/better ways of operating more energy efficiently, including installing more solar panels. When we started looking for someone to help us, the potential of a match funded grant from Making Carbon Work (MaCaW) convinced us to get in touch.”

Making carbon reduction simple

The MaCaW energy audit took place in summer 2019 and the report, produced in September the same year, confirmed the potential that increasing solar PV could have on the business. “Installing a 45 kWp solar PV system to generate electricity would save 15.83 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually, in addition to the savings delivered by the solar panels already in place,” explains Mark Nelson, MaCaW’s Business Engagement Officer.

Beyond solar, the MaCaW report identified further carbon reduction opportunities in behavioural change and renewing some of the LED lighting.

“There are limits to the behavioural changes we can make,” Nicola clarifies. “Our chillers need to stay on, of course. But one example of a change we did make was that when we close at the weekend we make sure the lights are off.”

At the end of 2019, B Cookson Limited was exploring grant options with MaCaW to help with the cost of installing additional solar panels. “We found the application process really easy,” says Nicola.

"UCLan have it well set up so they checked it and submitted it within a couple of weeks. Covid slowed the grant and installation process a little, but it was all very simple."

With support from MaCaW, B Cookson Limited’s application was approved for the maximum match funded grant of £15,000.

Going greener, saving money

Now, 175 solar panels cover roughly half of B Cookson’s roof space. Although yet to receive an energy bill since completion of the installation, Nicola is looking forward to significant savings. “The new panels should save about 17% off our bills,” she confirms.

“Our work with B Cookson is a great example of how a top-end grant can be invested in a large-scale solar PV project, delivering big savings in terms of cost and carbon,” says Mark. “It’s also a good demonstration of how we’ve been able to work successfully with clients and support grant applications during the COVID pandemic.”

“I’d definitely recommend MaCaW,” says Nicola. “Going greener is something we feel we should be doing as a business and if you can do that whilst saving money it’s all good. MaCaW made doing that easy.”

To explore how MaCaW could help support your carbon reduction activities, contact us.

MaCaW is a UCLan project, an industry and academic collaboration funded by the ERDF alongside UCLan, and supported by Boost; Lancashire’s business growth hub.

Enjoyed this? Read more from University of Lancashire

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin