We've based our approach on ethical trading for over 40 years...
September 2011
Solar Power for Essential Trading.
Essential Trading has invested £100,000 in a new solar PV electricity system from Solarsense at our Fishponds warehouse in our latest effort to minimise ourimpact on the environment.
We are an ethical company committed to the welfare of the planet. The installation of solar power panels at our factory HQ in Fishponds is the next logical step for our business - we are keen to harness all environmentally friendly advances in technology.
Essential chose Backwell-based Solarsense to supply our 44.64 kWp system that comprises 186 solar photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof of our warehouse. The solar PV (photovoltaic) technology captures the clean, natural energy of the sun. When the sun hits the panels, it creates an electrical field within the layers of the panels. This electrical field is converted to AC (usable) electricity and is taken up by the various demands for electrical power within our factory, warehouse and offices.
We are paid 32.9p/kWh for all electricity that is generated and we are then free to use this energy. Any surplus electricity is then exported onto the grid and Essential is paid 3.1p/kWh for this.
The solar PV at Essential Trading will generate an estimated 38000 kWh of electricity per year. This represents a saving of approximately 513 Tonnes of CO2 over the 25 year life of the FIT (Feed in Tariff – the Government scheme where businesses and home owners are rewarded if they invest in renewable electricity). The cooperative borrowed the money to fund this project from ethical bank Triodos. With the Government’s Feed in Tariff, the cash generated from the system will mean it pays for itself during the 10-year loan payback period and will thereafter be a source of income.
We are delighted to have our solar power panels up and running now after all the months of planning. We strive to produce and distribute the most sustainable food and non-food products and rigorously check the source of each ingredient so it makes perfect sense for us to tap into the world’s source ingredient for life – the sun – to power our business naturally.
The Solar Panel Installation
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Essential's other Ethical / Ecological Initiatives - more reports coming soon..