Together with Beba Energy, leading apple and pear grower AC Goatham & Son has completed the installation of one of the UK’s largest roof-mounted solar panel arrays.
Using existing roof space at two of Goatham’s 25 farms – Flanders Farm in Hoo and Howt Green Farm near Bobbing – the new installation will provide all of the power for the supplier’s packing and cold storage operations.
The solar array will generate enough power to run the equivalent of 317 four-bedroom homes for a year, reducing Goatham’s carbon emissions by almost 300 tonnes a year – equivalent to planting 7,328 trees annually.
Company owner Ross Goatham said: “This project began in the summer of 2020 and sees solar panels installed on all of our available roof space both at Flanders Farm and also Howt Green Farm.
“This is an important step for our business, as it is helping us to further reduce the carbon footprint of our growing and distribution operations.
“Renewable energy is a crucial component in the UK’s plans to be a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, and farming and the topfruit industry have an important role to play in helping the Government to achieve this.”
Shaun Beattie, director at BeBa Energy added: “Working in partnership with the team at Goatham’s to develop this project was a pleasure. If the UK is to achieve its ambitions of net zero by 2050, then business must play their part. This investment from Goatham’s shows just how seriously they take their responsibilities.”
