Yingli Solar provides PV panels for dessert producer

Solar panel manufacturer Yingli Solar has completed a contract through its installation partner EnviroGroup, a specialist provider of renewable energy products and systems, to supply dessert producer Exquisine with solar PV panels for its manufacturing facility in Thornbury, Victoria.

A dessert supplier to many of Australia’s restaurants and food service and retail companies, Exquisine has now been supplied with an 80 kW solar PV system, installed well ahead of schedule due to efficient project management by EnviroGroup. The PV system comprises 320 YGE 60 Cell 40 mm Series panels, delivering approximately 300 kWh of solar power per day (or 107,450 kWh per annum) and an internal rate of return (IRR) of over 25% per annum. This is expected to reduce Exquisine’s carbon emissions by 139.7 tonnes every year as it reduces its reliance on drawing electricity from the grid.

According to EnviroGroup CEO Cameron Munro, Yingli Solar’s high-efficiency panels were selected because of their track record in producing higher energy yields. The installation has the capability to match peak daytime energy demands for Exquisine’s manufacturing facility.

“With fluctuating energy prices, Australian manufacturing companies like Exquisine are faced with varying cost pressures,” said Munro. “We have designed the solar system to help Exquisine offset a significant amount of their electricity bills. The system will prevent a costly network infrastructure upgrade for Exquisine, and the cost savings will allow the company to plan for future expansion.”

Daman Cole, commercial director for Yingli Solar in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, said, “Yingli Solar is delighted to be working with EnviroGroup to bring Exquisine into the growing number of commercial businesses who are turning to solar power. Manufacturing businesses are increasingly aware of the cost savings that solar power offers through its ability to meet peak energy demand and its benefits in mitigating the risk of increasing electricity prices.”