Sun shines on cider farm as they make switch to solar

6 Oct 2011

Herefordshire based Butford Organics, have become one of the first organic cider and perry farm in the UK to make the switch to solar generated electricity. Today the Hereford Times featured a piece about the award-winning family business that has installed a 3.9kw solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of one of their cider and perry barns, through a partnership with local installers Southern Solar. The installation has enabled Butford Organics to uphold its commitment to sustainable farming practices whilst simultaneously addressing the issue of increasing energy prices.
Comprising 16 Sharp PV panels, the Butford Organics solar PV system will generate more electricity than the farm needs during the summer months. This will be sold back to the grid in return for feed in tariff subsidies, currently 43.3p  per unit of electricity. When the more energy-intensive cider and perry processing kicks off this month,  Martin and Janet Harris (pictured above) Butford Organics' founders - expect to use most of the electricity they generate through the panels on site.

The Harris family have always known that solar, with minimal maintenance requirements, was the perfect option for their electricity needs. Recommendations led them to Southern Solar - a local company with customer service and commitment to the environment  at the heart of their own business ethics as well.

"Although we  looked around at other solar installers in the area, we felt that Southern Solar, with their extensive experience in the farming and domestic sectors and commitment to the environment were perfectly suited to our business needs." says Martin Harris

Click to view the newspaper clipping

Southern Solar took three days to install the system which is now up and running. Despite having only had it for a month, Martin has already seen what the PV system is capable of. "We have a good southerly aspect and have reached 3.8kw of electricity generation on the sunny days but we were very encouraged to see that it still generates good amounts of electricity on cloudy day.

Find out more about Butford Organics - http://www.butfordorganics.co.uk/