TECHNOLOGY
requirements. This is something the Geo Green Power team did with Red House Farm in Doncaster; this project saw three solar PV systems being installed- including roof and ground-mount installs- totaling a system size of 1,088kWp. These have made a huge difference to the farm’ s operations, generating 1,000,000kWh of energy and saving 250 tonnes of CO2 every year.”
Distribution and logistics“ When we consider this next part of the chain, there is often increasing automation and again temperature regulation for the storage of products before and after shipping, with refrigeration being a notable energy drain. At the same time, more and more logistics companies are moving their fleets away from fossil fuels to electric, which is of course a fantastic thing to do, but a decision that obviously increases energy consumption when these vehicles need charging.
Once again, the benefits from solar are quite obvious here, as there is the opportunity to have rooftop solar installations on large logistics or transport hubs and premises, and erect solar car ports for vehicle charging. Battery storage can also be hugely beneficial at these sites, smoothing energy usage and particularly when used for charging EVs overnight.
We have another example of a food wholesaler improving the sustainability of their logistics by adding solar panels and a battery storage system to their operations. With JK Foods- one of the UK’ s leading importers and distributors of authentic East Asian foods- we installed a 309kWp solar PV and 87kWh battery system which generates the company an estimated 260,500kWh of energy every year, with annual savings of 65 tonnes of CO2 emissions.”
Retail and hospitality“ Within the last parts of the chain, we have hundreds of thousands of UK hospitality and retail businesses serving up our nation’ s produce to consumers. From product management and storage, or product preparation and service, there are costs associated with every stage, including: temperature controlled storage, cooking facilities, heating, lighting, POS and back office systems. Once more, adding up to high energy demands.
However, as above, there are many ways in which solar can be utilised to bring these costs down. Moreover, we also find that hospitality chains and groups can scale up the effectiveness of these energy saving benefits from having multiple solar installations across their sites.
Our work for Mitchells & Butlers- one of the UK’ s largest restaurant operators- is a great example of this in practice. Across 125 of M & B’ s sites, including several of their key brands like Toby Carvery, Miller and Carter and Harvesters, our team has completed installations in sizes ranging from around 15kW to 60kW, with the total system size across the group being over 4.2MW.
Collectively, these systems benefit the group by generating more than 3.9million kWh of electricity every year. M & B had already also made the commitment to purchase all of their energy through a green tariff, ensuring that its Scope 2 emissions have already been reduced.”
Solar for hospitality groups with Geo Green Power“ The above shows that from field to fork, solar can be a fantastic investment that ultimately drives energy costs down and helps futureproof your food supply chain in the face of continued energy market uncertainty.”
If you’ re looking to find out more about the benefits of solar or learn more about how your hospitality business’ food supply chain can become more energy efficient, you can contact the Geo Green Power team here:
info @ geogreenpower. com + 44( 0) 800 988 3188 www. geogreenpower. com
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