Construction works have been completed on the installation of over 1,200 roof-mounted solar panels at garrisons across Salisbury Plain Training Area, supporting the Army’s commitment to operate more sustainably and reach Net Zero by 2050.

The Photovoltaic (PV) panels will generate electricity to run buildings at Larkhill, Tidworth and Perham Down, with any surplus being fed through the private wire network for reuse elsewhere on the garrisons.
The works have been completed under Project Prometheus, which is delivering around 80 ground-mounted solar farms and also roof-mounted solar panels across the Army estate over the next decade.

At the official switch-on of the PV panels at Perham Down on Monday, 20th March, Major General Richard Clements CBE, director of Basing & Infrastructure and the Army’s Sustainability Champion, said: “Every solar installation that we complete contributes towards our target of achieving Net Zero by 2050.
“By increasing green energy supply, we are building a more resilient, cost-effective Army estate that protects both our future capability and the environments in which soldiers live, work and train.”

Since 2017, more than 4,800 PV panels have been installed on vehicle garaging, offices, stores and training assets at Salisbury Plain Training Area garrisons, covering over 10,000m2 of roof space.
To date this has saved upwards of 620,000kg CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting over 37,000 trees.
All the construction has been carried out by Aspire Defence Services Ltd, contracting to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) under Project Allenby/Connaught.

Barry Ray, DIO Regional Delivery Lead, said: “DIO is proud to be playing its role in working towards achieving the government’s Net Zero Carbon target by 2050.
“The installation of solar Photovoltaic panels undertaken with the Army and Aspire Defence is the product of great collaboration and good progress in achieving that goal.”

Richard Tindal, capital projects director, Aspire Defence Services Ltd, said: “These recently completed PV panel installations represent the culmination of several years of investment in solar energy provision for Army garrisons on Salisbury Plain Training Area.
“We are very proud to be working with the DIO to modernise the Army estate and support sustainability targets for UK Defence.”