Energy sector experts from Bristol-headquartered national law firm Burges Salmon have advised retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) on a rooftop solar panel array for its state-of-the-art distribution centre – the largest commercial system of its kind in the UK.
The Burges Salmon team, led by partner Nick Churchward with assistance from associate Sam Sandilands, advised M&S on the energy-based legal agreements underpinning the 6.1 MW project at the Leicestershire site, pictured. 
M&S’s in-house team advised on the real estate aspects of the deal and worked closely with the Burges Salmon team, who advised on the private wire power purchase agreement between the solar developer and M&S under which electricity will be supplied to the distribution centre and the ‘spill PPA’ with nPower for excess electricity to be exported to the grid.
M&S is developing the solar rooftop to power its East Midlands distribution centre in Castle Donington. The array is anticipated go live early in 2015 and, subject to M&S demand, will be bought exclusively by the retail giant through a 20-year power purchase agreement.
M&S director of property Hugo Adams said: “This further enhances the sustainability credentials of our BREEAM Excellent Castle Donington site. Coupled with one of Europe’s largest solar thermal walls, the new solar PV system will make the building one of the most sustainable distribution centres in the world.”
M&S head of energy supply & risk Giacinto Patellaro added: “Burges Salmon played a crucial role in the commercial-legal development of our Castle Donington solar roof project, specifically the power purchase agreement. The instalment of the UK’s largest solar panel array is another step for M&S reaching its goal of becoming the most sustainable retailer in the world.”
Leading developer and advisor on infrastructure projects, Amber Infrastructure, will fund and supply the system, which was designed by engineering and consultancy company SBC Renewables. The system will be constructed by energy saving organisation, Mark Group. 
Nick Churchward, pictured, said: “The Solar PV Strategy launched in April this year clearly outlined the Government's desire to encourage growth in the solar sector away from big, freestanding solar farms and towards large buildings becoming 'solar hubs'. This impressive development shows M&S's continued commitment to smart, sustainable business and we were very pleased to advise the M&S team on yet another market leading project with such clear financial and sustainability benefits to its procurement, logistics and real estate business areas.”
This latest advice for M&S from the Burges Salmon energy team builds on the work it carried out in September advising on M&S's sector-leading use of biomethane and making it the first retailer in the UK to purchase Biomethane Gas Certificates.
