Kintore-based solar specialist i-Protech has successfully completed one of its largest installations to date, delivering a high-efficiency solar PV system for Balmoral’s Comtec facility.
The project marks a major milestone for i-Protech, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.
The system, which is connected to one of the six main office buildings on Balmoral’s 45-acre site at Loirston, comprises 152 high-efficiency solar panels with a total capacity of almost 70kW.
Designed to maximise on-site consumption, it powers Balmoral Comtec’s operations during daylight hours, supplying around 31% of its office’s annual electricity demand, with output peaking at up to 70% during the summer months.
Surplus energy is exported to the National Grid, ensuring immediate carbon and cost reductions.
The team at i-Protech, which earlier this year was awarded ISO 9001 certification, worked closely with Balmoral Comtec to tailor the system to the site’s needs, completing the installation in time for peak summer output.
Fraser Robertson, Manufacturing Engineer at Balmoral Comtec, said that installing solar power reflected Balmoral’s long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation, while also making practical sense.
He said: “By generating clean electricity on-site, we can reduce our environmental impact, cut costs in our offices, and reduce our reliance on the Grid. It’s about leading by example, showing that even in energy-intensive industries, there are real opportunities to make positive, forward-looking changes.
“Beyond the numbers, it’s also an important step in building our experience with renewable energy as we explore further opportunities across the wider Balmoral Comtec site. We chose to work with i-Protech because working with a local partner who was keen to grow alongside us was important. They brought the right mix of technical know-how and collaborative spirit and handled the challenges of a large-scale installation with professionalism, delivering a system that’s already making a difference.”
i-Protech Director Stuart Munro described the install as a showcase of what’s possible when local businesses work together to drive clean energy innovation.
“Celebrating our 10th anniversary this year makes this project with Balmoral Comtec especially meaningful for the whole team at i-Protech.
“We work with customers across the board, from homeowners to large commercial sites and they can all expect the same level of service. As with any project of this scale and complexity, it wasn’t without its challenges, but to deliver a solar PV installation of this size is a proud milestone, not just for us, but for what it represents in terms of local collaboration driving real progress in clean energy.
“Working alongside Balmoral Comtec, a local company with a long history in the North-east, has been a privilege. Together, we’ve shown how tailored, high-efficiency systems can make a tangible impact, and we’re excited to keep pushing boundaries as we enter our next decade.”