Mole Valley Farmers installs 180kWp across six stores

South West retailer, Mole Valley Farmers (MVF), has installed solar arrays on six of its nine stores across the region. In partnership with local installer, Source Renewable, 180kWp of solar capacity was installed on MVF’s suitable store estate.

MVF hopes that its commitment to renewables will not only significantly cut its carbon footprint and utility bills but also offer returns in excess of 10 percent a year.

Stores at South Molton, Cullompton, Newton Abbott, Frome, Liskeard, and St Columb now boast over 700 solar modules on their roofs.

“We’ve been helping Mole Valley Farmers’ customers make the most of renewable energy for almost two years now,” said Laurie Eve, Managing Director of Source Renewable, “so it’s great news that we’re about to make their stores more sustainable too.”

In total, Source Renewable estimates that the six solar PV systems will provide enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 40 houses and reduce MVF’s CO₂ emissions by more than 70 tonnes per year.

“With the rising cost of fossil fuels, renewable energy is not only the sensible decision for most farmers and landowners, but it’s also an excellent investment,” added Laurie.  “The continually lowering price of systems means that solar PV still offers an exceptional rate of return, and we’re finding that the majority of our commercial systems are still offering a 12 per cent return on investment each year.”

Mole Valley Farmers’ Business Manager Andy Taplin said: “This solar PV programme is extremely important to Mole Valley Farmers, and it demonstrates our commitment to reduce our own carbon emissions and generate our energy from renewable sources. 

“We’ve been supplying renewable energy systems to our members for the last couple of years, and using Source Renewable as one of our preferred partners to do the installations.  Mole Valley Farmers set up Mole Energy with a dedicated renewable energy sector because it not only makes economic and environmental sense for our customers to create their own energy, but also it helps protect them against rising energy costs.

“Source Renewable has demonstrated excellent customer service, attention to detail, and a willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ in the projects that they have completed for our members,” added Andy. “This fits perfectly with the way Mole Valley Farmers operates.”