Independent brewer, Oakham Ales, is now brewing with the power of the sun, following the installation of a rooftop solar PV system by leading solar developer Electron Green.
Referred to Electron Green by long-term energy consultancy partner CUB UK, Oakham Ales has joined a growing wave of British businesses cutting emissions and securing low-cost electricity with on-site solar power. Like many legacy industrial sites, Oakham Ales faced a key obstacle to solar adoption: an ageing roof. Electron Green’s model solved this challenge by delivering a full steel overclad roof and the solar system at zero capital cost to Oakham Ales. Electron Green owns and manages the system and supplies the brewery with discounted, fixed-rate solar electricity via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
To celebrate the milestone, Oakham Ales is launching a new seasonal release: Sun City – the brewery’s first beer made using solar power. This 3.7% blonde ale features Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron hops from New Zealand, offering vibrant tropical fruit, gooseberry, and citrus notes with a refreshing herbal finish. Sun City will be available on cask from August.
“This is a huge step in making Oakham Ales more sustainable,” said former Head Brewer Mark Tetlow, who was the driving force behind this, his last project before retirement. “We’re delighted to welcome the Electron Green team along to celebrate the installation’s completion by helping us brew Sun City – our first Solar Blonde.”
The installation
The newly installed 458.85 kWp solar array, completed in Spring 2025, covers 2,084 square meters of the upgraded roof area with just over 1,000 PV panels. The installation is expected to reduce Oakham Ales’ reliance on grid electricity by 15%, delivering first- year savings of nearly £11,000. The system will also prevent over 2,200 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifespan.
There are more than 250,000 hectares of commercial rooftop space in the UK – much of it on ageing buildings. Oakham Ales’ story shows how infrastructure upgrades and solar retrofit can go hand-in-hand, remove traditional barriers and enable businesses to decarbonise without compromise.
“Providing a free solar system with ongoing management to Oakham Ales has allowed it to cut its carbon footprint and energy costs in one glorious swoop,” said Daniel Green, CEO and Co-Founder of Electron Green. “We’re here to provide businesses with flexibility in how they manage and pay for electricity. As energy demands are expected
to rise by 50% over the next decade, businesses need confidence in their energy supply and greater control over their costs.”
Projected benefits for Oakham Ales:
- Brand new full steel overclad roof requiring zero capital outlay
- 2,228 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided over 25 years
- First year savings of nearly £11,000 and projected lifetime savings of over £550,000.
Oakham Ales’ Head Brewer, Ed Sharman, is enthusiastic, “Electron Green have been excellent to work with. They managed the whole project with no disruption to our brewing schedule over the spring. It’s great that our business has upgraded its environmental credentials so massively without us having to offer a penny in capitalexpenditure and we’re all looking forward to raising a glass of Sun City in celebration.”
