Project Overview

HTFC, nicknamed “The Bees”, has teams across all ages, genders and abilities. Based at the 2,000-capacity Bowden Park – also known as Harborough Town Community Football Ground – they care deeply about the community, working with local businesses, schools and other clubs to offer career guidance, work placements, sponsored events and competitions.

To offset rising energy prices and help minimise their environmental impact, HTFC looked into solar PV as a cheaper, cleaner way to power the Club. In line with their community focus, they sought a local supplier – and Plug me in, just across the road, were ready to enter the game.

Head of Finance & Club Operations, Siobhan Brewin, said:

“Once our fixed price electricity deal had ended, the Club’s energy costs began rising dramatically, and solar seemed the way to keep them down. We’re also passionate about reducing our carbon footprint, and having already installed new LED floodlights on both pitches, solar was a great step towards further decarbonisation.”

Installation Details

Plug me in delivered a 50.4 kWp solar PV system that generates 43,344 kWh a year and saves 9.2 tonnes of CO2 annually. Across the system’s lifetime, that’s the same as removing 42 petrol-powered cars from the road.

Reflecting on the process, Siobhan said:

“Everything was explained to us beforehand and the practical process was as quick and easy as promised. It was great having a local company handle the install and we felt Plug me in were more interested in partnering for a solution than making a sale.”

Financial and Environmental Impact

HTFC’s solar PV system not only reduces the amount they spend on energy bills across the Club – it also reduces their carbon output, making their operations cheaper and greener.

Saving money on energy means having more to channel into other areas of the Club – and cutting down on non-renewable power supports their sustainability aims by minimising their carbon footprint.

Siobhan said:

“I monitor our consumption regularly and it’s been great to see significant reductions in both carbon production and energy costs since the installation – confirming this was the right thing for us to do.”

Looking Ahead

With a vast portion of their energy now coming from solar, HTFC have the foundation for further green energy upgrades, such as battery storage so they can retain the surplus energy they produce and become even more independent.

Plug me in were proud to support a local, community-focused organisation in reducing their operational costs and supporting their sustainability efforts – bringing the benefits of solar energy not just to the Club but to the many people who visit, work and volunteer there.