Project overview
In 2022, Appleby Creamery partnered with Solfit and Love Solar Ltd to deliver a transformational roofing and renewable energy upgrade using the Solfit over clad solar system – the first commercial over clad installation of its kind. The project involved installing 612 Solfit 375Wp double-glass panels, totalling 229 kWp of solar capacity.
The system is expected to generate 171,750 kWh annually, making a significant contribution to reducing the creamery’s operational energy costs.
The roofing challenge
Appleby Creamery faced a major issue:
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The existing metal roof was old, leaking, and structurally unable to support a traditional over clad system and standard solar panels.
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A full re-roof would have been costly, disruptive, and unaffordable at the time.
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The business needed a lightweight, non-disruptive, and cost-effective solution that simultaneously addressed roofing integrity and rising energy costs.
Solfit was the only system that could meet all three requirements.
Why Solfit over clad was the perfect fit
Lightweight solar-roofing integration
The Solfit system replaced the need for heavy roof sheets and rails, integrating directly into a new over clad of lightweight top-hat supports.
Zero need for re-roofing
The entire solar installation formed a new watertight layer over the existing metal roof—avoiding the cost and downtime of removing the old structure.
Minimal disruption
Installation was completed within three weeks, allowing the creamery to remain fully operational with no interruption to production.
Designed for low-pitch roofs
The site’s 10-degree roof pitch and E/W orientation were well-suited to Solfit’s dual-glass 375 Wp modules, manufactured in partnership with Jetion Solar.
”"Solfit was the perfect solution for a very tricky roofing problem and has gone a long way to reducing our substantial electricity bills considerably."
Maurice Walton, Appleby Creamery
Technical summary
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Panels: 612 × Solfit 375Wp dual-glass
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Total capacity: 229 kWp
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Estimated annual generation: 171,750 kWh
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Orientation: East & West
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Pitch: 10°
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Insulation depth: 0 mm
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Mounting system: Top hats
Installation experience
Despite the challenging roof condition, including ventilation penetrations and ageing steel cladding, the Solfit over clad system enabled a fast, clean, structurally sympathetic installation. The result was a new watertight solar roof that delivered both functional and financial value.
Appleby Creamery now benefits from:
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A renewed, fully watertight roof surface
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A large-scale solar array generating over 170 MWh annually
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Substantial reductions in electricity costs
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Long-term stability without the capital burden of a full roof replacement
Talk to us about your next project
Call 01202 898738 or email enquiries@solfit.co.uk
