Five Star makes solar switch

Five Star Fish has joined forces with specialist energy and carbon consultancy Norse Energy to deliver a new solar energy scheme. The initiative is predicted to lead to significant energy savings for the fish and seafood production company, part of 2 Sisters Food Group.

Norse Energy has invested £300,000 in the installation of a 250kW Photovoltaic system to the factory roof, which is predicted to generate 225,000kWh output per annum, equivalent to the energy required to power 54 homes over the same period.*

A proportion of the energy generated will be provided ‘free’ to Five Star Fish in exchange for a lease of their factory roof space. Taking advantage of the Government's feed-in tariff for solar, the remaining energy will either be sold to the National Grid or sold back to the company under a Power Purchase Agreement.

Nathan Wiltshire, operations director for Norse Energy, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Five Star Fish to deliver a scheme which will deliver substantial financial and environmental benefits. The solution we are providing will not only significantly reduce our client’s energy bills but also save approximately 200 Tonnes of CO2 every year. We anticipate a pay back term of nine years on this investment.

“We are investing in an increasing number of PV on roof schemes, in line with the government’s recommendations in the UK Solar PV Strategy Part 2 publication which advocates investment where viable PV on roof projects can be identified. This provides the landlord, or occupier with energy savings and a reduction in carbon emissions - both factors in improving efficiency and environmental impact.”

HamsonJPA, sister company of Norse Energy, undertook contract administration and project management for the scheme, while work to install the 100 panels was carried out by PV specialists Solgain UK Limited.         

Ellis Ward, managing director of Five Star Fish, said: “We have a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. We’re delighted to agree this project which will help Five Star Fish meet site financial and environmental targets.”

* Based on figures for an average domestic dwelling as calculated by the Department of Energy & Climate Change