Why BMW Vines Chose Solar – and How It’s Saving £200,000 a Year
As energy costs continue to rise, even leading automotive brands are taking bold steps to control their energy use and reduce carbon emissions. One of the UK’s most forward-thinking dealership groups, Vines BMW, has done just that — partnering with The Little Green Energy Company (TLGEC) to install a multi-site solar PV system that’s saving the business over £200,000 a year in electricity costs.
The Challenge: Rising Costs, Bigger Responsibility
Vines BMW had already made strong progress in energy efficiency through LED upgrades and smart utility management. But with energy prices climbing and sustainability becoming an even greater priority, the next logical step was clear: generate clean power on-site.
“We’d done the easy things, but utility bills had gone a lot higher,” said Sean Kelly, Managing Director of Vines BMW. “Solar seemed like the natural next step. The main driver was cost, but it also supports our ESG and green initiatives.”
As a family-run business, Vines wanted a solar partner who could deliver both technical excellence and a human touch — and that’s what led them to The Little Green Energy Company.
The Solution: A 600kW Solar System Across Three Dealerships
Following a competitive tender process, TLGEC was selected to design and install five solar PV systems across three Vines BMW sites, totalling 600kW of installed capacity.
Each system was tailored to the site’s infrastructure, roof layout, and energy profile, using market-leading components to ensure maximum reliability and long-term performance.
From survey to commissioning, the project was delivered with minimal disruption — thanks to careful planning and communication between both teams.
“The team were brilliant at giving us drawings and plans so we could prepare and keep everything running smoothly,” said Emma, Facilities Manager at Vines BMW.
The Results: Measurable Impact from Day One
The Vines BMW installations now generate clean, renewable power across their dealerships, delivering:
- £200,000+ in annual electricity savings
- 148 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided each year
- £1 million in projected savings over five years
- 1,200 solar panels installed across 3 sites
“With payback periods shorter than ever, now is the smartest time for businesses to go solar,” said Alex, Head of Operations at TLGEC. “Vines BMW is proof that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.”
Watch the Full Story
See how Vines BMW and The Little Green Energy Company delivered this flagship project in our video case study below:
Or read the full project breakdown and see more photos:
Vines BMW Case Study: £200,000 Annual Solar Savings
What Businesses Can Learn from BMW Vines’ Solar Journey
Vines BMW’s success offers a valuable lesson for other businesses: you don’t need to be a multinational to make solar work.
With energy prices rising and ESG expectations growing, commercial solar power is one of the smartest investments any business can make — reducing operational costs, improving resilience, and supporting sustainability goals.
At TLGEC, we’ve helped companies across sectors — from retail and manufacturing to automotive — take control of their energy future through tailored, high-performance solar solutions.
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