East Green Energy named finalist at Solar & Storage Live Awards 2026
East Green Energy has been announced as a finalist for Commercial Project of the Year at the Solar & Storage Live Awards, which take place on 22nd September 2026. The nomination celebrates the team’s floating solar project delivered for Suffolk Fresh near Ipswich, a standout scheme that highlights how renewable energy and modern agriculture can work seamlessly together.
Completed in November 2025, the project saw the installation of a 750 kWp floating solar array in Great Blakenham. Working alongside National Pontoon, the team deployed around 1,250 solar panels across 3,500 square metres of reservoir surface. Once fully operational, the system will supply around twenty per cent of the energy needed to run Suffolk Fresh’s pioneering semi‑closed hydroponic glasshouse, an eight‑point‑four‑hectare nursery that represents one of the UK’s most innovative approaches to sustainable food production.
The nursery’s refrigeration and air flow systems require significant energy, so the challenge was to design a renewable, space‑efficient solution that reduced reliance on traditional sources without taking valuable land out of use. The floating array was engineered using pontoons positioned at the optimum angle for solar generation and anchored securely to the reservoir bund with a bespoke system. Permanent access, remote‑monitoring security cameras and new measures to minimise bird interaction were also built into the design.
This approach makes smart use of unused water surface, improves panel performance through natural cooling and blends engineering precision with environmental benefit. The installation supports the nursery’s critical refrigeration systems, demonstrates how clean energy can integrate with food production and strengthens Suffolk’s reputation as a home for forward‑thinking renewable projects.
With the awards ceremony approaching, being named a finalist is a proud achievement for the whole East Green Energy team. It’s a well‑earned recognition of the skill, collaboration and commitment that brought this project to life.
