28/02/11
Organic farmers grow crazy for renewable energy
Family-run Blaencamel Farm in the Aeron valley in Wales is able to produce enough electricity to run the farmhouse, shop and farming operations while also powering the business into the future.
For farmer Peter Seggers, matters of sustainability have been at the heart of the farm’s ethos for the last 36 years. He is now hoping other farmers will consider renewable energy. “We’ve always been an environmentally friendly operation but we’ve recently ramped up our drive to becoming truly self-sustainable. Installing solar PV panels is one step in de-carbonising our energy needs and reducing our carbon footprint.”
Encouraged by the introduction of the Feed In Tariff, a scheme that provides cashback for all energy generated and enables any unused electricity to be sold back into the grid, Peter and partner Anne Evans approached Dulas, one of the UK’s oldest renewable energy providers. Dulas helped the couple find a sustainable energy solution that would cut the farm’s costs and carbon outputs and future-proof their business.
Following a consultation, Machynlleth-based Dulas recommended the farm install thirty-nine 210w solar PV panels on the roof of a barn, creating an 8.2kW system. Costing £30,000, the project took just 5 days to install and the farm was fully powered and earning money through the feed in tariff scheme the same week. The farm received its first payment the following quarter. The panels generate over 80% more electricity than is used by the farm, with the remaining energy being sold back to the grid.
Peter says: ““Dulas helped us to determine where to put the panels and then managed the project from start to finish providing valuable advice along the way. The solar panels have been a huge success for our business. We generate enough electricity to support our current farming, and because we produce more electricity than we need, we’re looking at other ways we can use this energy to improve our farming and to develop the business.”
Ian Draisey, Marketing Director at Dulas said: “It’s so encouraging to work with farmers who not only see renewable energy as a way to cut costs and make money, but also as a way to improve their business and general practices. Peter and Anne have been inspiring to work with. They prove that positive, green thinking can make a difference to the wider environment and also to the future of their farm.”
The solar PV panels have enabled Blaencamel Farm to modify its solar irrigation system using renewable energy to pump water around the 50-acre farm to crops and greenhouses.
Electricity generated by the panels is also being used to help develop the business’ new range of food products, including an award-winning relish and preserve. Peter also hopes to have the farm’s current diesel tractor converted making Blaencamel farm the first in Wales to have an electric tractor run from solar electricity.
Peter said: “It is crucial that people see that renewable energy works and is accessible and affordable. Farmers need to be wise and anticipate the rising cost of energy, putting in place the systems they need while the government is still offering a financial incentive to do so. I encourage all farmers to act quickly. If you have the cash, invest it in your farm’s future and look into renewable energy.
“We’ve always grown foods using recycled materials and home-made compost rather than importing foreign fertilisers. This means we have better tasting produce and fewer emissions. The solar PV panels are simply the next step in our eco-journey which will continue as long as we’re farming.”
Dulas have been forging successful relationships with landowners delivering renewable energy solutions for almost 30 years. As pioneers in the industry their experts have handled some of the UK’s first solar photovoltaic installations, wind farm developments and even the first zero-carbon church giving them unrivalled experience in this sector.
For further information on how Dulas can tailor a renewable energy project to your needs, visit www.dulas.org.uk or call 01654 705060.
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