A family-owned online gift retailer has installed 28 new solar panels with high specifications, producing at least 7786kwh of energy per annum.

GiftsOnline4U says the new renewable energy technology will cut their carbon emissions by more than 4400kg per year. The solar panels are also forecasted to reduce the company’s electricity bill by £1400 each year.

“It can be a really intimidating thing to confront your impact on the environment,” said Asgar Dungarwalla, Founder of GiftsOnline4U.

“For us, though, it motivated us to do better and take the necessary steps to reduce our carbon footprint and create a healthier world for our kids to grow up in.

“However, for small businesses such as ourselves, the money needed to invest in big changes can feel out of reach, which is why we’re so grateful for the Smart Energy fund.”

The online gift retailer was provided with a grant of £4,883 from Smart Energy Greater Lincolnshire to be able to make these green changes.

The £8.5 million Smart Energy programme, itself part-funded by the European Regional Development fund, enables small- and medium-sized businesses across the Greater Lincolnshire area to invest in sustainable, energy-saving renewable technology.

“Our plight to become a carbon neutral company doesn’t just stop there, though. We have to continue to assess what we can do to help tackle climate change, one step at a time,” said Mr. Dungarwalla

The online gift retailer has therefore committed to joining The Climate Pledge: a cross-sector community initiative set on helping companies achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.