PV power for pallet producer

Yingli Green Energy Australia, known as Yingli Solar, has announced a 100 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Fisher’s Group, a large-scale producer of timber pallets that is dedicated to becoming a carbon-neutral company.

Fisher’s Group founder and Managing Director Lewis Fisher explained that having already adopted a policy against the burning of waste and implemented a pallet recycling program, “Installing a solar power system was the next logical step to reducing our carbon footprint and our businesses’ running costs.” The company turned to Yingli Solar’s 250 W high-efficiency polycrystalline panels to supply enough solar energy to offset 80% of its power usage throughout the year.

Comprising 400 panels, the system will allow Fisher’s Group to reduce its carbon footprint by 150 tonnes per year, while seeing a financial payback within four to five years. It was installed by Yingli Solar installation partner Gippsland Solar.

“The installation went very smoothly,” said Fisher. “From adherence to OH&S during the installation, communication with us throughout the project and the professionalism of the installation team, our solar power installation went in without a hitch.

“Having a trusted local company with local workers, who will be there well into the future to support their system and installation, gave us the ultimate peace of mind into the future.”

Yingli Solar Managing Director Daman Cole said, “It is great to see local businesses including Fisher’s Group begin to understand the significant role solar can play in reducing costs and sustaining long-term green initiatives. It’s hard to come by business investments that provide a guaranteed 20-25% return per year, so we’re excited to see yet another organisation realise the full business potential of sustainable energy.”