New Case Study

Powering St Andrews Coach Houses with Solar

St Andrews Coach Houses

Find out how Forster Group helped a St Andrews based luxury retreat and working farm lead the way in sustainable rural tourism.

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Priorletham Farm

Nestled in the heart of St Andrews' stunning countryside, the Coach Houses are a collection of luxury self-catering lodges offering a peaceful rural retreat. Alongside its high-end holiday accommodation, St Andrews Coach Houses are based on a fully operational farm, Priorletham Farm, that the Picken family has managed for the last century.

The Challenge

 “As a family-run business with strong farming roots, we’ve always been very conscious of our environmental impact. Like many others, we’ve seen energy costs rise.

Our goal when installing the solar panels was twofold: to reduce our reliance on the national grid and to provide our guests with an experience that truly reflects our eco-conscious values.”

- Claire Picken

  • Managing high energy demand across both the working farm and luxury lodges

  • Rising electricity costs putting pressure on long-term sustainability

  • A commitment to reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment

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37.38kwp Ground-Mounted Solar System

To help the Picken family overcome these challenges, Forster Group designed and delivered a sustainable, long-term energy solution. Our team designed a 37.38kwp ground-mounted solar system, tailored to both the business and farms energy needs.

Our Solution.

  • A bespoke ground-mount 37.38kWp installation, tailored to power both the working farm and luxury lodges efficiently.
  • Integrated the installation seamlessly within the rural setting, maintaining the site’s visual appeal

  • Enabled long-term carbon reduction and operational savings to support sustainable growth

“We had a great experience working with Forster Group. They were professional, informative and flexible, which was essential for balancing a major installation with the day-to-day running of a working farm and luxury retreat."

-Claire Picken

The Impact

Annual Energy Generated

38, 200 kWh

Since installation, the system is now generating a significant portion of both the farm operations and guest lodges energy needs, helping the Picken family increase their energy independence. 

Carbon Emission Prevented

16 tonnes

Now the Pickens family are producing clean energy on-site, they are preventing over 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.

Projected Cost Savings

£324, 000

As well as strengthening environmental and operational resilience, the system is predicted to help save the business over £324, 000, ensuring greater control over company expenses. 

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