ACO accelerates its net zero journey with new solar installation

ACO Technologies has taken a major step on its net zero journey with the installation of 538 solar panels at its Shefford manufacturing site. The major investment by the water technologies and drainage specialist not only cuts carbon emissions from its manufacturing processes but also supports access to clean energy for schools in Sierra Leone.

The rooftop installation at ACO’s Shefford warehouse was delivered in partnership with Potentia Engineering in December 2025 and will reduce the site’s reliance on grid electricity by around 16%. Capable of up to 245 kWp, the solar panels help to save approximately 70 times the total annual energy consumption of an average UK home, while greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, preventing up to 50 tonnes of CO₂e from entering the atmosphere every year. 

Mike Simpson Lane, group managing director, said: ‘The Shefford warehouse was designed from the outset to be ‘solar ready’, and this milestone demonstrates how ACO embeds sustainability across its operational infrastructure.

‘The installation supports our company’s Roadmap to Net Zero, which we launched in 2024. Our target is to achieve net zero by 2045, five years ahead of government timelines. For ACO customers, it means lower embodied carbon in products and reduced Scope 3 emissions across construction supply chains.’

Beyond delivering operational carbon savings, ESG best practice was a fundamental pillar of the project. ACO selected Potentia Engineering to lead the project after a comprehensive ESG led procurement process that involved evaluating six suppliers.

The solar solutions provider was chosen as it ranked highest for ethical sourcing and transparency, and for its commitment to selecting manufacturers whose practices align with global sustainability frameworks. As part of this, Potentia Engineering sourced panels from DMEGC Solar – a manufacturer recognised for its alignment with the UN Global Compact and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Potentia Engineering has delivered solar installations in Ghana and is now working with partners to expand access to clean energy in Sierra Leone, including planned installations for schools as part of a wider three way collaboration. These projects aim to provide reliable electricity for classrooms, digital learning, and safer study environments in communities where access to energy has historically been limited.

Mike continued, ‘ACO is part of a supply chain, but also part of a global community. This project reflects that dual responsibility – cutting emissions in our own operations while supporting access to clean, safe electricity for communities that need it most. It is a powerful example of the kind of partnerships we want to cultivate as we move closer to net zero.

‘As a UN Global Compact member ourselves, and an ambassador for UN Sustainable Development Goal Six: Clean Water and Sanitation, we felt strongly that our suppliers also had to believe in these values and frameworks, and it was one of the key reasons we chose Potentia Engineering. Our ESG commitments guide every decision we make, from decarbonising our manufacturing processes to switching to electric vehicles and upgrading our buildings to reduce heat loss. Solar is just one part of a wider effort to embed sustainability across the business.’