Bedfordshire Growers to generate over 2.4 million kW of electricity

March 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Biggleswade based Bedfordshire Growers have generated over 48,000 kilowatt hours of electrical power during the last year following the installation of 80 solar panels on the roof of their vegetable distribution centre on Potton Road.  

The 48,000 kWhs that the business now generate means an annual saving of over 26 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide. The lifespan of solar panels is 50 years, which means that Bedfordshire Growers will be generating 2.4 million kWhs and saving over 1300 tonnes of the greenhouse gas.

Sales director Tim Elcombe commented, “We initially decided to install solar panels to offset the cost of the electricity we use, but didn’t realise just how much saving it would mean.  Despite a couple of weeks when the panels were covered in snow so couldn’t operate effectively, we shall still generate close to 50,000 kilowatts of power this year.”

The electricity produced by solar panels is completely clean which means no harmful elements are released into the environment. Solar panels do not produce pollutants such as carbon dioxide, do not deplete any natural resources such as coal, oil or wood, and are significantly safer than nuclear energy generation.

Tim added, “We have always been keen to promote the environmental benefits of fresh produce that is grown locally.  The beauty of these solar panels is that once installed, we don’t have to do anything yet it generates a significant revenue stream every year, and it also reduces our carbon footprint by a huge amount.  We are now convinced that renewable energy really is the way for the future”

More about Bedfordshire Growers
Founded in 1963 Bedfordshire Growers started from a small wooden hut on a17 acre site near Biggleswade. It was formed as a co-operative of local farmers and horticulturalists business to promote the highest standards of crop marketing and presentation that customers demand. The business focuses on packing and distributing the traditional Bedfordshire vegetable crops of onions and potatoes.
The first packhouse was constructed on the site in 1966, but has expanded and now includes three packing houses fitted with the latest crop grading and packing equipment, cold stores and long term controlled atmosphere stores. The business occupies a 98 acres site which includes adjacent farmland. Bedfordshire Growers currently employs over 35 full time staff, which is supplemented by up to 60 temporary staff for grading and packing during peak periods.
Still a grower-owned consortium, the group’s success has attracted growers from wider fields and Bedfordshire Growers now distributes root and salad crops from growers throughout  the Eastern Counties and Spain to multiple retail outlets, wholesale food services and food processors.

For further information
Technical information
Tim Elcombe   e-mail elcot@bedgrow.co.uk  Tel: 01767 319201

Media information
Colin Caldicott  Ultimedia Public Relations
e-mail:  colin@ultimediapr.co.uk      Tel: 01767 601470