Yearsley Group goes solar at its cold stores

Yearsley Group has installed solar panels at two of its cold stores in England at Heywood, Greater Manchester and Holmewood, Derbyshire.

The installations - each of around 2,500m₂ - are claimed to be some of the largest solar panel systems in the UK. They produce 310,000 kilowatt hours per annum and will save around 170 tonnes of Co2 a year, reducing the frozen food distributor's reliance on National Grid.

The £2.2m investment is part of a stated strategy from the frozen food storage and distribution company to increase the energy it obtains from renewable sources. Solar or wind power systems are set to be installed at its other depots across the UK.

MD Harry Yearsley says: “Sustainability is high on our agenda and the reduction of carbon emissions is key in terms of our warehouse operation and in regards to transportation.”

In July, Yearsley invested more than £500,000 in a new ambient storage chamber at its Grimsby depot.