Popular family attraction Cotswold Farm Park is cutting at least part of its energy bill by up to 600 per cent, with the help of another Gloucestershire company.
The working farm and visitor attraction in Guiting Power, made famous by BBC Countryfile presenter and farmer Adam Henson, has installed a second solar PV system, which means it will be capable of generating 25 per cent of its energy needs on site.
Mypower, the Gloucestershire business behind the installation, said the new system was capable of delivering approximately 92,000 kilowatt hours a year at a cost of roughly four to five pence per kWh – as opposed to the current price of National Grid electricity of 30 to 40 pence kWh.
Cumulatively, the farm park's two roof mounted systems will reduce its overall energy bills by 20 per cent and will help the business negate the impact of future grid price rises, which the British Chambers of Commerce says will be faced by at least 65 per cent of UK firms.
Henson, managing director of Cotswold Farm Park, which is dedicated to preserving rare breed farm animals and championing the best of British farming through sustainable methods, said: ‘This cost certainty and keeping our operating costs as low as possible are invaluable for our long-term planning and maintaining the business’ viability.
‘This is very important to us as we’re responsible for the livelihoods of 89 members of staff, and we care passionately about the Farm Park’s educational and conservation work.’
Ben Harrison, managing director of Mypower, which has also installed solar panels at Gloucester Cathedral, said: ‘Many businesses are seeing their systems pay for themselves in three to five years with a return on investment of over 20 per cent. More and more businesses are coming to us wanting to invest in solar power.’
