Finnebrogue Artisan Goes Solar

Downpatrick based Finnebrogue Artisan has just installed a 686 kilowatt PV Solar system to its state-of-the-art processing facility. The project represents £530,000 investment by Finnebrogue Artisan, which has been funded by the Guinness Asset Management, with installation in association with Solar Energy Company – POB Solar based in Lurgan.

The initiative, is believed to be the third largest of its kind in Northern Ireland and will see Finnebrogue Artisan produce over 550, 000 kilowatts of its own electricity on site. This is anticipated to reduce Carbon Emissions by over 335 tonnes per annum whilst delivering energy savings of over £50,000 annually.

Commenting on the new PV Solar System, Finnebrogue Artisan Chairman, Denis Lynn said,

“We are delighted to be leading this renewable initiative which will see our company produce Clean Renewable Sustainable Energy on site for use during the production of our premium meat products for UK and Irish consumers.”

“At Finnebrogue we are passionate about producing incredible food for people to enjoy in a sustainable and ethical environment which this initiative underpins our commitment to,” added Mr Lynn.

Commenting on the Finnebrogue system, Paul Browne CEO at POBSolar said,

“Our approach with Finnebrogue has been highly innovative and together we have developed one of the first large scale ‘island’ systems in Northern Ireland, completely independent of the Grid.  This concept now allows us to provide similar installation and funding solutions to other large scale manufacturers in Northern Ireland to overcome the restrictions of the Grid.”

In reference to the solar system funding, Chris Villers, Guinness Asset Management commented,

“Through our work with POB Solar in Northern Ireland we are delighted to be involved in the funding and support of Finnebrogue Artisan’s energy saving initiatives. We welcome the opportunity to support sustainable projects that deliver both energy savings and carbon reductions.”

The Finnebrogue Artisan solar system has the following favourable environmental benefit of Carbon Emissions offset being the equivalent of:

• Greenhouse gas emissions from 71 Passenger vehicles driven for one year.
• CO2 emissions from 11,848 Incandescent lamps.
• Carbon captured by 316 Acres of forest in one year.
• Electricity usage of 114 Domestic Properties