Soanes Poultry has invested £850,000 in renewable energy to power its factory.
The firm commissioned Beverley business Boston Renewables to provide a 1648 module field-mounted solar system, which will save 156 tonnes of CO2 in its first year.
Soanes Poultry’s MD Ben Lee said: “Following advice from John Hudson, MD at Boston Renewables, we opted for east-west oriented solar panels. Uniquely positioned to face the rising and setting sun, they offer a distinct advantage in harnessing solar energy during the early morning and late afternoon, which is when the factory’s needs are greatest.
“The latest investment shows our commitment to sustainable chicken production, which includes biomass, wind turbines, and ultra-energy-efficient refrigeration systems. The array’s predicted annual yield of 727,000kWh is sufficient to power 269 domestic homes, and the CO2 emission saving from our solar array is equivalent to planting 5,890 trees.”
Soanes Poultry is a family-owned business that has been rearing and preparing chicken since 1947. It sells chicken to butchers and independent retailers in Yorkshire and wholesalers nationwide.
Boston Renewables provides Solar PV installations to agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing (including food processing), retail, leisure and the public sector.