Installation: 812kWp Solar PV
Existing on-site use: 1,200,000kWh
Renewable Generation: 710,000kWh
Reduction in grid-supplied electricity: 60%
Tones of CO2 saved: 150,000kgs
Equipment Supplied: 1624 no. 500Wp JA Solar PV panels
Soanes Poultry Limited is a family-owned poultry farming and processing business based in East Yorkshire. The business has an enviable reputation for rearing high-welfare, sustainably farmed chickens using home-grown feed, and their produce is supplied to retailers, butchers, and chefs throughout the UK.
Boston Renewables first worked with Soanes Poultry in 2021, delivering a 50kWh ground-mounted solar PV array at one of their farms. Following the success of that project, we were invited back in 2024 to undertake an 800kW installation to supply electricity to the company’s factory premises in Middleton-on-the-Wolds. Albeit this was a much larger project, we once again provided our full turnkey service for the development. All aspects of the design, obtaining planning consent and grid connection approval, together with the installation were delivered by Boston Renewables.
One major difference in this project, when compared to other ground mounted solar PV arrays, was the distance between the point of use for the electricity and the nearest land owned by the client. At 820m this presented a technical challenge that required a complex network of transformers and cabling to connect the solar PV site to the factory.
In the summer of 2024, a team of 10 technicians successfully installed the mounting framework and 1,624 solar panels. The development included an ambitious private wire installation, and this was provided by Integrated Utility Services.
This solar development is an example to many other commercial users of electricity that the solar array does not need to be immediately adjacent to a point of use. There is almost always a way to crack a technical issue, and Boston Renewables are very grateful to Soanes Poultry for engaging in our services and having faith in such an outstanding project.
“Our new solar PV array has made an amazing start in its delivery of renewable electricity to our factory. Yield is ahead of predictions and the array is meeting our site demand at times of peak production.
Boston Renewables provided a complete turnkey service for all aspects of the development. From the initial design and management of the planning and grid connection processes to installation and final commissioning, the service was seamless and hassle free.
We had quite a unique aspect to our solar development in that the site for the array was over 800m from our factory. However, Boston Renewables took this element entirely in their stride and organised the installation of transformers and a private wire connection between the two sites.
The management team at Soanes Poultry are delighted with the solar development and would not hesitate in recommending other businesses to procure their solar requirements through Boston Renewables.” Ben Lee, Managing Director