Minster Vets is set to save thousands on energy costs as solar photovoltaic panels are installed at its surgeries in Bingham, Southwell, Newark and Burton Joyce

Solar energy is set to help a veterinary chain save more than £15,000 on energy costs.

Veterinary chain, Minster Vets' new solar photovoltaic panels are expected to save thousands per year as an estimated 75% of its future energy will come from the sun.

The new panels have been designed and installed by Geo Green Power for Minster Vets surgeries in Bingham, Newark, Southwell and Burton Joyce.

Besides reducing energy costs, the company’s carbon emissions will drop by 15 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking three cars off the road.

Peter Chalkley, clinical director, Minster Vets: “As a vets, we use a huge amount of electricity throughout the day and all of our costs have risen dramatically over the past 3-4 years, so we need to make savings where we can to minimise the effects. By taking control of our energy costs we aim to continue offering a great service at a fair price with the savings made directed to new equipment and new treatment services.

“It’s important to us to build a more eco-friendly company - animals are also affected by climate change through loss of habitat, dirty air and other issues. Medicine in general has a high carbon footprint and high levels of waste, most of which is unavoidable, so as well as investing in renewable energy we try to be greener by reducing waste and recycling where we can.”

An independently owned veterinary practice, Minster Veterinary Centre opened in Southwell 30 years ago and now has six branches treating household pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits as well as horses and farm animals both in surgery and in the field.

Minster Vets estimates that the £83,000 capital cost of the solar PV installations will be repaid within six years, including ongoing maintenance costs.

James Cunningham, managing director, Geo Green Power: “We’re now seeing a lot of businesses getting really serious about renewable energy. Modern renewable systems have become much more efficient in recent years and at the same time, installation costs have reduced.

“Coupled with mounting evidence of the damage done by fossil fuels, huge increases in energy costs due to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the calculations for business have completely changed and renewables make more sense than ever.”