Eco-Friendly JLR Engine Plant Invests In Solar Panel Technology

Posted on Apr 10 2014 - 2:16pm by Editor

Jaguar Land Rover is the group company that owns the Jaguar and Land Rover marques (as you might have guessed!) who in turn is owned by Indian firm Tata. Jaguar Land Rover’s parent company has invested a significant amount of money into the two brands and has managed to turn them around from companies that weren’t doing so well into ones that are producing record amounts of cars!

Solar Panel Technology

Cars such as the Jaguar F-Type (the successor to the ever-iconic E-Type), the Land Rover Discovery 4 and the Range Rover Sport are just some of the new models that have helped to boost Jaguar Land Rover’s profits and promote healthy growth. In fact, a lot of cars are being exported to markets such as the Middle East, where demand is high for these historic British brands.

The group has been introducing all sorts of innovative technologies to the cars that it produces, such as the new Land Rover “InControl” system that is designed to enhance the interaction between the driver and their car through the use of wireless Bluetooth technology for Apple iPhone and Android-powered smartphones.

But their investment in technology and the future doesn’t just end with the cars that they produce, because Jaguar Land Rover are also investing in more eco-friendly manufacturing processes!

According to Saxton 4×4, the Coventry-based company recently announced on its blog that it is investing in solar panel technology at its engine manufacturing centre at i54 in South Staffordshire.

Enough energy to power up 1,600 homes

So far, over 21,000 PV (photovoltaic) roof panels with a total combined capacity of 5.8 megawatts have been attached to the roof of Jaguar Land Rover’s engine manufacturing centre, but this impressive array of eco-friendly power sources is set to be increased even further, with capacity expected to be upped to 6.3 megawatts by the end of 2014!

Experts have stated that this will generate approximately 30% of the engine manufacturing centre’s power needs, and is the equivalent of powering more than 1,600 residential properties. The other great thing about Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to sustainable power is that the 21,000 PV panels will reduce the centre’s CO2 (carbon dioxide) footprint by approximately 2,400 tonnes each year.

The Operations Director at Jaguar Land Rover’s engine manufacturing centre, Trevor Leeks, has stated that the firm’s commitment to showcasing the latest innovations in sustainable technology is part of what makes it a “world-class facility”.

Responsible business

He also stated that Jaguar Land Rover are the first vehicle manufacturer to win the coveted “Responsible Business” award back in 2013 and that environmental innovation “lies at the heart of Jaguar Land Rover’s business”.

This new manufacturing centre is the company’s first plant that they have literally built from the ground up. With a total investment of more than half a billion pounds, it is expected to create approximately 1,400 new jobs for the West Midlands and South Staffordshire region, when the plant reaches full operating capacity.