Farming charity, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society now generates more than half of all its own electricity, after switching on 1,536 new solar panels this week at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.
A new 990.72-Kilowatt peak (kWp) solar system offsets 44 per cent of the Society’s annual imported electricity. This is in addition to the gains already made by 1,940 solar panels installed at the Showground.
The new scheme significantly enhances the Society’s carbon footprint, saving an estimated 190 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Any remaining imported electricity is sourced by the Society from suppliers of renewable energy.
The new solar panels have been fitted to the roofs of the Great Yorkshire Events Centre – the state-of-the-art events space – and the Great Yorkshire Show’s Sheep Sheds. The investment supports the needs of the family of businesses across the Showground – the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate, Fodder and Harrogate Caravan Park, as well as the Society’s charitable headquarters, the Regional Agricultural Centre.
Any extra energy generated by the new solar panels during peak sunlight hours, estimated to be 15 per cent of power generated annually, will be exported back to the grid.
Allister Nixon, Chief Executive Officer of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “This latest investment in solar technology represents a massive step forward in the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s sustainability journey, building on previous investments to make the Showground fit for the future.”
The Showground also benefits from ground-source heating, LED lighting, energy-saving building management systems, sustainable building materials including sheep wool insulation and a nature-friendly sedum roof at Fodder food hall, low flush systems and rainwater harvesting.
Graham Thompson, Commercial Director of Yorkshire Event Centre Limited who oversees the Showground’s commercial operations said: “We now have another fantastic feelgood reason for our clients to book their events at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate. We are proud that our venues embrace green energy solutions to reduce the Showground’s environmental impact, while investing their profits in the charitable work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society to support and promote farming.”
Bramham-based Local Renewable Services Ltd installed the panels. Danny Warden, Managing Director at Local Renewable Services, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society on this significant expansion of solar generation at the Showground. The project takes the site past 1MW of total on-site solar capacity, marking an important milestone in the Society’s sustainability journey. By building on the existing solar infrastructure across Hall 1 and the Sheep Sheds, the Showground will be able to generate a substantial proportion of its own clean electricity while reducing both carbon emissions and long-term energy costs.”
The installation of the new solar panels further strengthens the Great Yorkshire Events Centre’s position as a leading sustainable event venue in Harrogate. This investment demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainability, offering organisers the opportunity to host large-scale conferences, exhibitions and gala dinners in a venue that prioritises green initiatives without compromising on quality or scale. As demand grows for eco-conscious event spaces, the Great Yorkshire Events Centre continues to set the standard for a sustainable event venue in Yorkshire.