How Peterborough’s Oakham Ales harnessed the power of the sun at its Woodston brewery to make its first beer using solar energy.
Oakham Ales is one of Peterborough’s best-known enterprises, renowned for innovative and award-winning beers such as JHB, Citra and Green Devil IPA. But the use of flavoursome New World hops is not the only innovative thing about this Woodston-based company.
As of spring 2025, Oakham Ales has been brewing beer using energy generated by over 1,000 solar panels installed on its own roof. In its first year alone, this state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) array is projected to the save the brewery £10,758 and will avoid an estimated 2,228 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifespan. And, amazingly, it didn’t cost them a penny.
For Oakham Ales, partnering with a solar-energy developer was key to unlocking the untapped potential of their roof space.
The goal: brewing with sunshine, upgrading the roof
Brewing is an energy-intensive business. The process involves heating liquids to high boil temperatures and then cooling them down and keeping them cool in the fermenting vessels, conditioning tanks and cold rooms. Malt mills, cask washers and cask fillers, pumps and other ancillary equipment also consume significant quantities of energy, and keeping on top of soaring costs is a sector-wide challenge.
Rising energy prices are partly what motivated Oakham Ales to investigate renewable options. Having greater control over energy costs makes good business sense. But it wasn’t the only factor influencing the brewery’s decision to get solar panels fitted. Oakham Ales was also keen reduce its carbon footprint and improve its green credentials.
The Maxwell Road brewery was already managing its energy use in smarter way, having implemented a raft of process efficiencies. Making the most of its considerable roof space was the next logical step. But there were two daunting hurdles to overcome first: upgrading the brewery’s ageing roof, so that it could support a PV array, and financing the project.
Step forward March-based CUB UK Ltd, Oakham Ales’ long-term energy consultancy partner. CUB referred the brewery to Electron Green, a London-headquartered solar-energy developer specialising in rooftop solar.
How they did it: the power of partnership
After assessing Oakham Ales’ site and energy needs, Electron Green proposed a solution. In return for upgrading the brewery’s roof and installing a PV array, they would own and manage the system and supply the brewery with discounted, fixed-rate solar electricity via a zero-capex power purchase agreement (PPA).
For Oakham Ales, it was a win-win proposition; they would get a new roof, at zero capital cost, and cheaper energy for years to come. Importantly, the improvements could be made without disrupting the brewery’s springtime brewing schedule.
With steel over-cladding fitted to the brewery’s 2,084 square-metre roof, work could commence on installing 1,043 solar panels over the spring of 2025.
Now up and running, this 459 kWp system is turning sunlight into energy all year round, generating enough electricity at peak output to power between 130 and 160 homes. It is predicted to reduce Oakham Ales’ reliance on grid electricity by 15%.
The result: a brewery fit for the future
Oakham Ales expects its new PV array will yield savings of £558,300 over 25 years.
“This is a huge step in making Oakham Ales more sustainable,” said outgoing Head Brewer Mark Tetlow, the driving force behind the project, his last before retirement.
Mark’s successor, Ed Sharman, added: “It’s great that our business has upgraded its environmental credentials so massively without us having to offer a penny in capital expenditure.”
The brewery’s energy upgrades could be good news for Peterborough too, Mark explained to the Peterborough Telegraph. “If we increase sales and our overhead costs are lower, it is more likely we can create jobs.”
Oakham Ales’ efforts to future-proof its operations are ongoing. Battery storage is on the cards, and the brewery is looking to replace its forklift trucks with electric ones when its current vehicles come to the end of their working lives.
To celebrate the installation of its rooftop PV array, Oakham Ales released a new seasonal cask ale, the aptly named Sun City, made using Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron hops from New Zealand. The brewery’s first beer brewed using solar energy is a 3.7% blonde ale with vibrant tropical fruit, gooseberry, and citrus notes and a refreshing herbal finish.
Has your business got rooftop solar potential?
A power purchase agreement with a solar EPC company like Electron Green can be a cost-effective solution for medium-sized and larger businesses looking to install solar panels on commercial or industrial rooftops. It won’t be the right option for every business, however. Potential extra costs can be included in the contractual small print, and there are end-of-term options to consider.
Other finance routes are available.
A local consultancy, such as Aspect or CUB, can assess your current energy usage and explore suitable options with you (fees apply).
Your business might be in the position to invest in a PV array and/or other retrofit technologies outright. You can find MCS-certified installers here.