Reflections from the Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

We were proud to be joint headline sponsor at today’s Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference at Crow Wood Hotel Burnley. Hosted by Lancashire Business View the event brought together a full room of business leaders, educators and policymakers for a refreshingly honest look at the Net Zero challenge and the opportunities right here in Lancashire.

As ever, our focus is clear: solar is ready. It’s proven, cost-effective and available now. If your business has roof space, you have an opportunity to cut emissions and costs at the same time.

Solar is Ready, and So Are We

At Low Carbon Energy, we’re helping organisations across the region take control of their energy strategy, with solar PV, battery storage and integrated solutions that deliver practical, lasting value.

Today’s conference confirmed what we already know. Lancashire is primed for solar. There’s huge potential sitting unused on commercial rooftops across the county, and with planning, technology and funding support all improving, there’s no reason to wait.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to install it.

Opportunity, Honesty and Urgency

From the opening talk by Charles Wood of Energy UK, the tone was set. Net Zero isn’t something far away it’s an immediate business opportunity. Not just good for the environment, but good economics too.

Across the panels, the themes were consistent:

· Solar and wind are underutilised but viable now

· 70% of Lancashire businesses are already engaged with Net Zero

· Language around sustainability must become more practical

· Community energy projects build pride and resilience

· There’s a growing gap in green skills, especially in solar and tech

For us, it reaffirmed our belief that solar is the fastest, most tangible step a business can take. It reduces energy bills, cuts emissions and demonstrates action and not just ambition.

And the return on investment? It’s compelling. For every £1 invested in the low carbon transition, there’s a £4 return in long-term benefits – from reduced operating costs to energy security and reputation. That’s a business case no one can ignore.

Wind Power and Community Ownership

While we focus on solar, it was good to see the important conversations happening around wind. Lancashire has strong wind potential, particularly in locations like Scout Moor near major demand centres. But there’s clearly work to do in engaging communities early, building trust and creating benefit-sharing models.

As several speakers highlighted, when communities feel involved — not sidelined — these projects gain momentum. We fully support that direction.

The Skills to Match the Strategy

A recurring theme throughout the day was the need for a serious green skills push. Solar, like all renewables, needs qualified people to install, maintain and optimise systems.

We heard calls to back apprenticeships, T Levels, and retraining programmes, as well as direct partnerships between industry and education. That aligns with our own approach and we’re already working to support the skills base required to grow this sector locally and sustainably.

Funding and Support Are Available

One of the most practical messages from the day was simple: help is out there, and businesses don’t have to figure this out on their own. We heard from Rosebud, Innovate UK and others about the financial and advisory support available right here in Lancashire. Whether it’s grants, investment or strategic partnerships, the support exists but you have to go and get it.

We’re always happy to advise businesses on how to make these steps, especially where solar is concerned.

A Live Example: Crow Wood Hotel & Spa

Hosting the conference at Crow Wood Hotel & Spa gave us the chance to show guests what solar looks like in action.

As a sustainability-focused luxury resort, Crow Wood partnered with us in 2023 to install a 1,127 kWp ground-mounted solar PV system.

Over 2,200 panels now generate 981,927 kWh of clean energy per year, cutting 196 tonnes of CO₂ and meeting 27% of the resort’s electricity needs.

It was a fitting venue and a clear demonstration of how solar is already powering Lancashire’s Net Zero progress.

What’s Next: From Talk to Action

Conferences are important but only if they lead to action.

Today made it clear that solar should be top of the Net Zero agenda for commercial buildings in Lancashire. It’s scalable, it’s visible and It delivers immediate benefit. And we know how to do it.

We’d like to thank Lancashire Business View for hosting a brilliant and much-needed event, and all the speakers and fellow sponsors for their insight.

We’re committed to helping Lancashire’s business community lead the way. Not by waiting for change, but by building it one rooftop at a time.

If your business is ready to talk solar, we’re ready to make it happen.

Get in touch with our team at Low Carbon Energy to start your journey to Net Zero today.