The Blue Barn has been a fixture of the Pool in Wharfedale community since 1984. Based just outside Otley on the West Yorkshire border, it's one of the region's best-known independent pet supplies and animal feed stores - catering for everything from dogs and cats to horses, poultry, and smallholders. With a loyal customer base, a knowledgeable team, and a second shop now open at Tong Garden Centre in Bradford, The Blue Barn has built its reputation over 40 years of friendly, expert service.

Running a busy retail operation with large storage areas, refrigeration for specialist products, and steady customer footfall means electricity demand is a constant consideration. The Blue Barn chose to invest in solar PV to reduce their energy bills and take a visible step towards sustainability - something that resonates with a business built around caring for animals and the environment.

Ahead of the solar installation, a new roof covering was completed on the building. This gave ACT a clean, solid surface to work with. We installed 80 solar panels using Esdec FlatFix Fusion mounting, a modular and lightweight flat roof system that ensures optimal panel orientation and long-term durability. The system is managed by a SolarEdge inverter and optimisers, providing panel-level monitoring and strong performance even during periods of variable sunlight.

Completed in June 2025, the 36.40 kWp system is expected to generate approximately 26.54 MWh of clean electricity per year. Based on the site's consumption patterns, this has been covering around 31% of The Blue Barn's total electricity requirements - a meaningful reduction in grid dependency and a solid foundation for ongoing savings as energy prices continue to fluctuate.

For a well-established independent business, solar PV is one of the most effective ways to protect against rising costs while demonstrating a genuine commitment to operating more sustainably. The Blue Barn is now generating its own clean energy every day, right alongside the expert pet care advice it's been providing for over four decades.