A PRECISION engineering company has invested in solar panels to reduce sky-high energy bills.

Erodatools has installed 240 solar panels on the roof of the Penistone factory it has owned for 52 years.

The second-generation family business specialises in electrical discharge machining (EDM) and CNC milling and turning which use energy-intense wire and spark erosion techniques to cut through conductive metals and mill intricate 3D component parts for industry.

Its new 102kwp photovoltaic system will generate more than 72,000 kwh green energy a year to help feed this power-hungry process.

It is estimated that this will slash the business’ annual electricity bills by £17,000 and reduce carbon emissions by 14.07 tonnes a year too.

Erodatool’s investment in solar power has been backed by a Low Carbon Grant delivered by Barnsley Council through Net Zero Barnsley and supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA); part-funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Erodatools works manager Caroline Healey said: “As the business has grown, the amount of electricity we use has grown too and recent price hikes and shocks to the market have been challenging.

“The greatest proportion of our electrical consumption goes into our EDM and machining and we’ve known for a while that we have to do something to make us more resilient.

“But our investment in solar panels would have been significantly delayed until we could raise the funds if not for the support we’ve received to cover the initial outlay.

“The Low Carbon Grant essentially means that the photovoltaic system will pay for itself within four rather than five years. It’s great to have it up on the roof and working; helping us to reduce our dependence on the energy grid and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Erodatools was set up in 1972 by Ken and Tony Rolfe, Caroline’s dad and uncle. It employs a team of 12, including her brother Chris and sister Charlotte.

Turbine Energy of Doncaster fitted solar panels to the roof of the business’ 6,000 sq ft premises at Laurence Works and these have already started to help power 33 machines in the company’s workshop.

Enterprising Barnsley business support advisor Matthew Smith, who helped the company secure the Net Zero Barnsley grant, said: “Erodatools has built an excellent reputation as a specialist in precision engineering over the years, but intense EDM machining makes them, by nature, a high electricity demand business.

“We’re very pleased to have helped them secure a Low Carbon Grant to help them invest in solar panels so that they can start to generate some of their own green energy in-house as quickly as possible.

“The sooner a company is able to invest in innovative renewable energy solutions which suit their business, the sooner they will reap the long-term benefits both in terms of profitability and sustainability.”

Low Carbon Grants support capital projects for eligible small businesses to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions; reduce energy costs, make their businesses more competitive, resilient and productive and potentially safeguard and create jobs through improved profitability.