A car dealer in Wales has installed solar panels at its dealerships, expecting to save about £166,000 in electricity costs over the next 20 years.

The panels are at family-run J&J Motors’ Nissan, Ford and Fiat/Suzuki showrooms at Cross Hands, near Llanelli.

Renewable Energy Investments (REI) funded the installation of the panels – delivering a total of 59,090 kWh a year – fitted free of charge.

J&J Motors will buy zero carbon electricity from renewable energy investor REI at a discounted rate under its solar power purchase scheme.

It will then take ownership of the 66.5 kWp systems entirely in 20 years. An estimated 21.8 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be saved every year.

The three systems would have cost J&J Motors about £80,000 in total if the company had to buy an equivalent system without REI’s funding model.

John Plimmer, J&J Motors’ managing director, said: “With the size of our premises, we are always looking at ways of reducing our overheads.

“Installing solar panels has allowed us to reduce our electricity costs. The scheme was attractive as we did not have to meet any capital costs at all and as an environmentally conscious company it allows us to play our part in helping meet national renewable energy targets.”

Toby Smith, projects director at REI, said: "Our solar power purchase scheme allows companies such as J&J Motors to preserve their own capital to spend on their core business activities.

“As well as making meaningful savings on its electricity bills, J&J will also reduce its own carbon footprint and contribute to the drive for renewable energy.”

The project was developed and installed by REI premier installation partner, Oakapple Renewable Energy.