A major manufacturer has taken a big step towards its goal of running on 100 per cent renewable energy.
TMD Friction, a global leader in braking technology, has installed 1,468 solar panels on the roof of its factory in Hartlepool.
The panels cover nearly 3,000 square metres and are expected to generate 590,000 kWh of electricity each year – about six per cent of the site’s total energy use.
The installation forms part of the company’s wider environmental strategy, with a target of switching all facilities to renewable power by 2030.
At its production site in Hartlepool, UK, TMD Friction installed 1,468 solar panels across 2,933m² of roof space. The project is predicted to generate approximately 590,000 kWh of electricity annually, covering around 6 per cent of the site’s total (Image: Supplied)
Andrew Turner, vice president of PC Europe at TMD Friction, said the project will help meet immediate energy needs and drive long-term change.
Mr Turner said: "The solar installation represents a meaningful and tangible commitment to our Sustainability Roadmap 2040.
"At Hartlepool, we’re not just generating cleaner energy, we’re embedding sustainability into the very fabric of our manufacturing operations.
"The ability to monitor each panel in real time means we can ensure we are getting the maximum benefit from the investment, and that’s the kind of precision and accountability we bring to everything we do."
The panels are expected to reduce the site’s carbon footprint by around 150 tonnes per year.
TMD Friction partnered with Geo-Green Power to deliver the installation, which is also equipped with SolarEdge monitoring software to track the performance of each panel in real time.
The Hartlepool project adds to the company’s growing list of renewable energy investments across its global operations.
At its 23,000 square metre facility in Caransebes, Romania, TMD Friction recently completed one of its largest solar schemes to date.
A total of 3,236 solar panels were installed as part of a self-funded project delivered in partnership with Servelect.
The Romanian system will generate 2,580,000 kWh of electricity each year – meeting 14 per cent of the site’s energy needs – and cut carbon emissions by 470 tonnes annually.
Mr Turner said: "The scale of this installation reflects our dedication to sustainability and investment in our company’s future.
"With 470 tonnes of CO₂ saved every year, the impact is real and measurable, moving us closer to our 2030 renewable energy target."
Together, the Hartlepool and Caransebes projects will save a combined 620 tonnes of emissions each year.
The company has also installed solar panels at its plant in Valencia, Spain, and has a long-term partnership with Iberdrola to supply renewable power to its German sites.
In 2025, nearly half of the group’s energy came from green sources.
Across its global network, TMD Friction continues to invest in energy management software to monitor usage data, improve efficiency, and ensure transparent reporting of energy costs by source.
Nothing is going wrong for the Hawks right now.
Major gauges are shrinking in the face of surging oil prices as the Fed decides whether to hold rates steady to combat inflation.
Career goal No. 1 for Messi came 21 years ago on May 1, 2005 while he was with Barcelona.
Virginia starts off hot, wins three out of three events on first night of NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships
Gasoline prices have hit their highest level since 2022 amid the Iran war.
The Dodgers' star looked ready for the season on Wednesday.
Zillow recently updated its listings rules and said it would begin displaying some pre-marketed homes.
Claude went heavy on the chalk when making its March Madness predictions; did you?
Why they're happening, when they might end and how to keep them from ruining your travel plans.
Wall Street anticipated the Fed's decision to hold rates steady on Wednesday.

source