A SECURITY business is cutting fuel costs and energy bills after receiving two grants to go green.
Stonewall Group has bought two electric vehicles and installed solar panels at its Rugby HQ after receiving the windfall.
The company received nearly £50,000 from the Government-funded Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), administered by Rugby Borough Council (RBC), towards the vehicles, as well as over £3,000 from the Green Business Programme towards installing solar PV panels at its Castle Mound Way premises.
Director Clare Randall, who runs the business with her husband Martin, contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub for advice on applying for the grants, and was put in touch with RBC and the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme.
She said the grant support was already paying dividends for the company – which comprises business security division Stonewall Security and safe deposit centre Stonewall Vaults.
She said: “Our security team is always on the road and we wanted to introduce electric vehicles to our fleet.
“Our single biggest cost in the business is fuel, and we have already noticed our fuel costs are reducing by £2,000 a month, which is a significant saving.”
An energy audit was carried out at Stonewall Group, which showed that a solar PV installation would provide energy security alongside significant cost saving benefits for the business.
Jonathan Howl, Business Energy Advisor at Coventry City Council – which part-funds the Green Business Programme – said: “The recent installation of the solar PV array on site will provide immediate cost savings of nearly £2,000 per annum.
“By opting to also have battery storage installed with the solar solution, Stonewall Group is able to use its own generated electricity, which gives a further level of independence from the electricity grid and protects them from further fluctuations in energy price rises.
“The array will save over two tonnes of carbon per annum – demonstrating a commitment to a greener, cleaner future.”
Adam Plumb, Account Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said: “The Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub is here to provide business support and advice to SMEs throughout our area in all sectors and making them aware of the grants available is one aspect of our service.
“In the current economic climate, accessing grants can make a real difference to whether a business goes ahead with investment in green technology such as electric cars and solar PV panels, and we are really pleased that Stonewall Group is already seeing a noticeable difference.”
