East Yorkshire-based Soanes Poultry has invested £850,000 in a solar energy system to reduce its carbon footprint and lower operational costs.
The company partnered with Boston Renewables to install a 1,648-module field-mounted solar array, which is expected to generate 727,000kWh of electricity annually—enough to power 269 homes. The system is projected to cut CO2 emissions by 156 tonnes in its first year, equivalent to planting nearly 5,900 trees.
Managing Director Ben Lee said the solar panels were designed with an east-west orientation to maximise energy capture during peak factory hours in the morning and late afternoon. The investment aligns with Soanes Poultry’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes biomass energy, wind turbines, and energy-efficient refrigeration.
Soanes Poultry, a family-owned business since 1947, supplies chicken to butchers, independent retailers, and wholesalers across the UK. Boston Renewables specialises in solar PV installations for agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and other industries.