A NORTH Yorkshire free range egg company has achieved its target of generating 50 per cent of its electricity from solar energy following a £230,000 investment in solar panels.

The installation at Chippindale Foods 55,000 sq ft low carbon egg packing facility at Flaxby, near Harrogate, was completed in 2015.

Nick Chippindale, managing director, said the roof-mounted solar system was part of a company wide initiative to improve efficiency and effectively monitor energy use.

He said: "Our target of meeting half of our electricity needs through solar was motivated by a desire to be as self-sufficient as possible and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It was vital that we introduced effective consumption monitoring alongside the solar installation to enable us to work towards a known percentage of self sufficiency.

"Solar PV was just part of the solution and other initiatives such as using less energy through improved efficiencies helped us reach our target within 18 months. We are now seeing the results and enjoying a more sustainable business."

The £5m purpose built egg processing plant – which is capable of handling more than six million eggs a week – and office premises were built with sustainability in mind. A grey water rain harvesting system collects water to wash the company’s low emission HGV fleet. Air source heat pumps generate warm water and heating.

Mr Chippindale said the company had also achieved its target of sending zero waste to landfill in partnership with Todd Waste Management through its commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle.

He said: "We recognise our responsibility, both as an employer and a supplier to major retailers, to have rigorous plans in place for a sustainable future.

"Our sustainability plan gives equal consideration to the planet, our people and our prosperity to make sure attention is firmly focused on minimising our impact on the environment and our demand on natural resources."

Chippindale Foods supplies free range locally-sourced eggs to Sainsburys, Morrisons, Co-op, Booths, Aldi and Lidl. It also has its own regional brands in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Northumberland, all sourced from local producers.