At St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, we believe that producing high-quality eggs goes hand-in-hand with protecting our planet. We are excited to share the latest milestone in our sustainability journey: the installation of solar panels at our Cornwall packing centre.
Solar Power at Our Packing Centre: Partnering with Immersa
We are thrilled to announce the installation of new solar panels at our packing centre, completed in collaboration with Immersa. This exciting development further enhances our sustainability efforts by incorporating clean, renewable energy into our operations.
Solar panels are designed to maximise efficiency and energy production, ensuring that our packing processes are powered by the sun. We are hopeful that they will yield the following benefits:
- 279,000kWh annual energy generation
- Import reduction of 113,440kWh (-49%)
- Annual decarbonizing reduction of 64,474kgCO2
- Investment payback in 3.3 years
This step not only underscores our dedication to reducing environmental impact but also helps us move towards a future where renewable energy is at the heart of our operations.
This latest milestone, however, is not just the beginning… It is a continuation of our commitment to sustainability. Around 10 years ago, Naked Solar installed solar panels at our farm which are still operational to this day.
By harnessing the sun’s power at both our packing centre and our farm, we are significantly reducing our scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions from the energy we purchase and consume. As our Sustainability Manager, Elle, explains, “By installing solar at our packing centre, we are significantly reducing our use of fossil fuels and grid electricity to process our eggs.”
What are Scope 2 Emissions?
For those unfamiliar with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, emissions are categorised into three scopes:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the reporting company.
- Scope 3: All other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
You can find out more on the National Grid’s website.
Our new solar panels target scope 2 emissions. By generating our own clean energy, we are decreasing our reliance on electricity derived from fossil fuels, thereby reducing our carbon footprint. While we are currently collecting data to quantify the exact impact, Elle assures us that “we’re laying the foundations for our journey to a net zero world by investing in long-term renewable electricity on-site” and we will be able to share additional data in future months.
Smart Land Use: Rooftop Solar Installation
There is ongoing debate in farming communities about installing solar panels on productive land, which some believe can detract from agricultural productivity. At St. Ewe, we have optimised our land use by installing solar panels on the large roof space of our packing centre facility. This approach ensures that we are not compromising valuable land while still benefiting from renewable energy.
Building Economic Resilience Through Solar Power
In addition to its environmental benefits, our second investment in solar power also strengthens our economic sustainability. By generating our own electricity, we are less vulnerable to fluctuations in energy prices and market shocks. This energy independence helps us maintain stable operating costs, ensuring we can continue delivering high-quality products to our customers without being affected by volatile energy markets.
A Sustainable Future
This investment in solar technology is not just about today but about ensuring a healthier planet for generations to come.
As we continue to monitor and assess the performance of our solar panels, we look forward to sharing more detailed data on their production and impact. Stay tuned for future updates on how our solar panels benefit our farm and the environment.
Together, we can create a more sustainable world, one St. Ewe egg at a time.