DSG invests in solar panels for Cheadle head office

The Cheadle head office of financial services group, DSG, is now generating around half the company’s day to day electricity needs following the installation of a rooftop array of 567 solar panels.

Split across the two buildings which house DSG Finance, Connected Car Finance, leasing.cars, Flow Car Finance and Unity Auto Finance, the solar panels are expected to generate nearly 185,000 kWh of zero-carbon electricity each year – reducing CO2 emissions for DSG by 110,457 kg annually, and generating the equivalent power of charging a smartphone battery 13 million times.

James Brownbill, Environmental and Social Impact Advisor at DSG Finance Group explained:

“The DSG group has been certified carbon neutral for nearly 12 months now, but our work on improving the planet doesn’t finish there.

“Renewable electricity is the topic of conversation for millions of people across the UK as the country aims to run on 100% clean electricity by 2035.

With that goal in mind we looked at how we can reduce our own emissions even further: how can we become more sustainable? And how can we make renewable energy a must for the automotive finance industry.”

DSG’s solar array comprises 567 panels, two inverters (to convert DC power generated into AC power compatible with mains electricity) and two high voltage batteries that can store unused green electricity for later use. As well as providing power for the company’s offices, the solar panels will also supply electric car charging facilities for the group’s all-EV fleet and available for public use.

Despite being one of the largest solar panel arrays in the local area, DSG estimates that in just over four years the array will have paid for itself, and the group will have avoided 441,828 kg of CO2 emissions

In addition to the solar project, 2022 also saw DSG launch their “Way of Life” values and culture which includes further environmental and social work. Ethical lender Unity Auto Finance have partnered with Mossy Earth to support rewilding of Scotland’s Caledonian Forest, as well as to combat poaching of bears, wolves and lynxes, and support protection of trees, in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania.

Rob Woollen, Chief Operating Officer for DSG Financial Services said:

“Our vision of the future is one of sustainable growth and positive impact – for our customers, our communities, and our company. The ability to generate a substantial amount of our own energy reduces our reliance on others to achieve this. Our commitment is to reduce our carbon footprint rather than simply offsetting it.”