Fera Six Months On
As a business with targets around reducing carbon footprint and addressing rising energy costs, in 2024 research institute Fera decided it was time to explore renewable energy options.
PART ONE
The Challenge
The business appointed Meson at the start of 2025 to install solar panels at their crop protection facility, after being impressed by the team’s responsiveness and eagerness to address the challenges faced onsite. In particular, Fera was interested in improving the overall sustainability and operational efficiency of its York Biotech Campus, but also needed to work within the confines of the building’s unique design, including large roof vents,
As experts in design and installing bespoke energy solutions that integrate seamlessly into complex environments, Meson accepted the challenge. The project required careful planning and engineering to overcome the existing infrastructure. The outcome is an installation that is already having a positive effect on the reduction of Fera’s carbon footprint, while also taking safety and accessibility for engineers throughout the lifespan of the panels into consideration.
PART TWO
Finding the Perfect Solution
A comprehensive on-site analysis and full risk assessment gave Meson an idea of the specific requirements for the panels and the placement and usage of the buildings’ vents. This enabled the team to tailor the design accordingly and develop a customized solar energy solution.
Trusted Meson partners J.B. Langley Associated Ltd., Whiterose Scaffolding and CGP MEP were brought onto the project as collaborators. This collaborative, full-circle approach allowed for the design of a system consisting of 342 N-type solar modules, delivering a 150 kilowatt-peak (kWp) output to ensure high power performance, reliability, and overall safety.
The design not only meet Fera’s energy needs but also fits the complex terrain while providing a secure working environment to facilitate the safety of engineers carrying out routine system maintenance.
PART THREE
The Result: Six Months On
Six months on and the installation is outperforming expectations, with the system’s performance tracked through an application that remotely tracks production and provides live snapshots. Originally estimated to achieve 100% output, the solar panels have so far delivered 28% more energy than initially predicted. This has allowed Fera to avoid over 12 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, the same benefit as planting over 580 mature trees.
Original estimations predicted it would take six years for the system to fully pay for itself. However, with the panels already having generated 54MWh, enough to charge more than 5,000 EVs, the forecasted savings are now £6k higher than initially predicted. This means the system is on track to be fully paid off in five years, a full year earlier than the initial estimate. After this, every kWh generated by the solar panels will be pure margin, with the system currently expected to generate over £20k in net benefit annually for the next 20 years.
Customer Feedback
Max from Fera says: “From the outset, our goal was to demonstrate that scientific progress and genuine sustainability go hand in hand. Six months after partnering with Meson, the results speak for themselves: a system not only tailored perfectly to our site’s needs, but one that’s outperforming expectations and delivering measurable environmental and financial benefits.
Knowing we’re producing more clean energy than anticipate and on track to achieve payback a year sooner, has been incredibly motivating for everyone involved. It’s a compelling example of what can be achieved when expert engineering and shared vision come together.”
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