Solar investment to take pressure off national grid

A HERTFORDSHIRE care home has made a five-figure investment to build a solar system on its grounds as part of its sustainability goals – helping to take pressure off the national grid and become more selfsufficient.

Group and what it looks for in its developments.

“This gave us the insight to identify this opportunity with Bloor Homes and we quickly tied up the deal to purchase the 1.5acres of land with view to building the 70-strong mix of apartments and shared living spaces.

“The location is perfect. Just a few minutes away from the centre of Newport, which gives residents the opportunity be a real part of the local community and enjoy everything the sought-after market town has to offer in terms of shops, walks, pubs and restaurants.”

Keon Homes was formed by Richard Williams, Warren Bolton and Noel Sweeney in 2019 after they spotted an opportunity in the market for a developer who could provide muchneeded affordable housing and care schemes.

The Burntwood-based company, which alongside Cameron Homes, Galliers Homes and Chasetown Civil Engineering is part of The Tara Group, has enjoyed rapid growth over the last two years, completing 142 plots with a further 500 either in build or part of a secure pipeline of sites.

With an unprecedented energy crisis and a rapidly rising cost of living, Foxholes Care Home, near Hitchin, has installed 132 solar panels on the roof of its building, enabling it to offset a large proportion of its daytime electricity consumption – covering more than a third of its yearly energy costs.

Neil Gandecha, care director at Foxholes Care Home, said: “With energy costs rising each year, this project has been in the pipeline for some considerable time now – but, with skyrocketing energy prices, the timing of it finally coming together couldn’t be better.

“Wholesale electricity costs aside, we’re delighted to see our vision come to life on an environmental level – as the impact cannot be overstated.

“Self-generating our electricity will significantly decrease our overall carbon footprint, which will help us in our decarbonisation strategy for 2023.”

Built by Use The Sun, the project was positioned on the roof of the family-run home so as not to impact the nearby community.