Leading the way with one of the UK’s largest floating solar projects
Location: Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, Suffolk
· Date: November 2025
· Capacity: 750 kWp
· Scale: 1,250 solar panels spanning 3,500 m²
· Partners: Suffolk Fresh
Project overview
In November 2025, we partnered with National Pontoon to deliver a landmark 750 kWp floating solar installation in Bramford, just outside Ipswich.
This project involves installing approximately 1,250 solar panels over 3,500 square metres of water. Once complete, it will supply around 20% of the energy required to power Suffolk Fresh’s pioneering nursery, the UK’s first semi-closed hydroponic glasshouse, covering 8.4 hectares (the size of 11 football pitches).
The challenge
Suffolk Fresh’s nursery is a groundbreaking facility in sustainable food production, but its refrigeration and air flow systems demand significant energy. Our challenge was to design a renewable, space-efficient solution that could reduce reliance on traditional energy sources while supporting their commitment to sustainability.
Our solution
We designed a floating solar installation using panels mounted on pontoons, fixed at the optimum angle for solar generation. These pontoons are securely anchored to the reservoir bund with a bespoke anchoring system driven into the reservoir perimeter. The scheme also included permanent access, security cameras to remote monitor the system 24/7 and new measures to prevent bird interaction.
This approach allows us to:
Make smart use of available space without taking up valuable land
Optimise solar performance through precise panel positioning
Combine engineering precision with environmental benefit
The impact
We’re supplying 20% of Suffolk Fresh’s energy demand with clean, renewable power
The installation supports refrigeration systems critical to sustainable food production
The project demonstrates how renewable energy and agriculture can work hand-in-hand
It positions Suffolk as a hub for forward-thinking renewable project
