So Dough - Italian Pizzeria in Holmfirth
Customer Background
So Dough is a popular and highly regarded pizzeria located in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, renowned for its freshly made wood-fired pizzas crafted using premium British and Italian ingredients.
As energy prices continued to rise, the building owner and his son, who operates the restaurant, began exploring ways to reduce operating costs and improve the long-term sustainability of the business. With the premises being owner-occupied, investing in solar energy presented an excellent opportunity to offset a significant portion of the electricity consumed by the restaurant's pizza ovens, refrigeration units, lighting and kitchen equipment.
Key Details
The Challenge
The installation presented several challenges. The property is situated within a conservation area, meaning planning permission was required before work could commence. Our team provided support throughout the planning process, helping to ensure a smooth and successful application.
The building’s traditional slate roof and unique roof design also added complexity to the installation. Moreover, the slanted ridge of the traditional building required a bespoke panel layout to ensure the system maintained the property’s aesthetics while maximising solar generation.
Additionally, the restaurant is situated on a particularly busy high street. As a result, the scaffolding installation and dismantling process had to be carefully planned and executed to minimise disruption to pedestrians and ensure any impact on footfall for SO Dough was kept to a minimum.
The Solution
Following a detailed site survey, our team designed a bespoke solar PV and battery storage solution tailored to the restaurant's energy requirements and available roof space.
The installation included:
16 x AIKO 460 W solar panels
Slate Mounting & Genius SpeedFlash to Ensure Compliance
Bird Protection
1 x Hanchu ESS 6 kW inverter
1 x Hanchu ESS 5.12 kWh Battery Storage Unit
The system was carefully designed to maximise renewable energy generation while maintaining the visual character of the building and complying with conservation area requirements.
We were delighted to support So Dough in securing grant funding through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, helping to reduce the upfront investment required for the project.
The Installation
Despite the challenges presented by the slate roof and conservation area restrictions, the installation was completed efficiently and to the highest standards. Through careful planning and coordination, the system was successfully integrated into the building, ensuring minimal disruption to the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.
The addition of battery storage enables excess solar energy generated during the day to be stored and used when required, further increasing self-consumption and reducing reliance on grid electricity.
The Benefits
The installation provides a range of benefits for So Dough, including:
Reduced reliance on grid electricity
Lower operating costs and protection against future energy price increases
Improved energy efficiency through battery storage
Reduced carbon emissions and environmental impact
Enhanced long-term business resilience
Greater return on investment through grant funding support
The Outcome
Like many businesses in the hospitality sector, So Dough has faced increasing pressure from rising energy costs. By investing in solar PV and battery storage, the business has taken a proactive step towards controlling energy expenditure while improving its environmental credentials.
The system is expected to deliver significant long-term savings while reducing the restaurant's carbon footprint. By generating and storing its own renewable energy, So Dough is better positioned to manage future energy price volatility and continue investing in the growth and success of the business.
This project demonstrates how renewable energy can provide a practical and financially beneficial solution for hospitality businesses looking to improve sustainability without compromising day-to-day operations.
Thinking About Battery Storage or Solar Panels for Your Home?
Speak to P4 Solar about a tailored system designed around your property, energy usage and long-term savings.
