David Baker, founder of Styles Ice Cream in Somerset, has significantly increased the solar power generated for his operations. In 2020, he established the UK’s first solar-powered ice cream van and is now adding solar panels to his production facility. This summer, due to an abundance of sunny weather, the business has achieved a remarkable 30% of its energy needs from solar power, with Baker aiming to raise that to 80% during peak summer months.
The ice cream production process at Baker’s dairy relies heavily on energy for various tasks, including heating, pumping, and freezing. Currently, the entire system operates on 110 kilowatts continuously. By transitioning to solar power, Baker aims not only to reduce energy costs but also to enhance the competitiveness of his high-quality ice cream. Reports indicate that he has generated 31.7 million watts of energy since February of this year.
Baker’s solar panels have already cost £22,000 to install, covering 30% of energy needs, but he plans to implement more panels to meet his goal. He estimates that his annual electricity expenses could drop from £72,000 to around £10,000 with increased solar power use.
While the shift to solar power is largely a financial decision, Baker emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency in generating energy locally, addressing broader economic challenges that may affect the government in the future. The initiative also benefits the community, as the ice cream vans now operate quietly without the need for running engines, improving the experience for customers.
At Blue Anchor Bay, local customers were largely unaware of the solar initiative, yet expressed enthusiasm upon learning about it. Baker hopes that solar-powered ice cream will become a standard aspect of the summer experience in the West Country.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev2m0ev3j8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss