Trailblazing green energy initiative shortlisted for award

A pioneering solar farm and battery storage facility in Exeter, which delivers clean energy to the city’s refuse collection vehicles, has been shortlisted for yet another award.

Exeter City Council’s Smart Grid & Storage Project in Water Lane has been shortlisted for the Sustainable Impact category of the 2025 Exeter Impact Awards, hosted by Exeter Chamber.

The award commends businesses or individuals who have made a positive environmental impact through their work. It celebrates those making a difference in sustainability through their business actions, whether by cutting carbon emissions, reducing waste, or driving green innovation.

The Water Lane Smart Grid & Storage Project is the first of its kind in the region and marks a further step towards the City Council’s ambition of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030.

Built on an inactive landfill site, the Water Lane Solar Farm feeds power directly to the Council’s nearby operations depot, powering the city’s electric refuse collection vehicles, the Materials Reclamation Facility, and offices with renewable energy.

It features 3,700 solar panels, which generate 1.2MW of clean, renewable energy. The substantial battery facility is capable of storing 2MW and provides flexibility between peak generation and peak usage.

The Water Lane Smart Grid & Storage Project includes three other sites. Battery storage and smart control facilities have been installed at the Matford Centre, John Lewis Car Park, and Riverside Leisure Centre. At Riverside, the project also delivered a 120kW rooftop solar PV array, enhancing the leisure centre’s sustainability and supporting its transition to a low-carbon, energy-efficient facility.

Cllr Matt Vizard, Lead Councillor for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities, said:
“This is great news. The Water Lane project is a fabulous example of how emerging technologies can be used to deliver green energy for our city.

“The project demonstrates to householders and businesses the benefits of renewable energy, battery storage and electric vehicles, and is a trailblazer for Exeter.”

The Exeter Impact Awards are a city-wide celebration of the business community, recognising the people and businesses of Exeter and surrounding areas who have made a significant impact on their own business or in driving business success in Exeter.

Exeter will now go through to the final stage of judging by an expert panel of independent judges before the winners are announced at the awards ceremony on 26 June at Exeter Phoenix.

The project was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.