Farrall’s Group, a road haulage company in North Wales, is making strides in sustainability with a new solar panel installation.
- The company has installed a 1,400-panel solar array at its headquarters, providing nearly half of its electricity needs.
- A smaller solar array and a tree planting initiative are also underway at another location.
- Farrall’s Group is exploring further green initiatives, including electric delivery vehicles and forklifts.
- The project highlights efforts to improve local air quality and demonstrate environmental responsibility.
Farrall’s Group, a well-established road haulage company in North Wales, has installed a state-of-the-art 1,400-panel solar array at its headquarters on Deeside Industrial Estate. This ambitious move is part of the company’s broader strategy to grapple with the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency. By harnessing solar energy, the array supplies nearly 50% of the company’s electricity and enables the facility to operate entirely off-grid during sunny periods.
The project, delivered by Wrexham-based Rawson Solar, was completed on schedule and within budget, exemplifying a meticulously coordinated effort. Generating approximately half a million kilowatt hours of power annually, the system addresses 48% of Farrall’s yearly energy consumption. This substantial contribution to the company’s energy needs is already visible as longer daylight hours have allowed the system to meet all its power requirements.
In addition to the installation at Deeside, Farrall’s Group has embarked on further sustainability initiatives at its Ashton Hayes premises near Chester. This includes the deployment of a smaller 100-panel solar installation and a tree planting scheme aimed at carbon offsetting, underlining the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Founded in 1956, Farrall’s also maintains significant operations in Newport, Telford, and Sandycroft, demonstrating widespread influence within the regional transport sector.
Managing Director Matt Farrall, representing the third generation of leadership within the family business, acknowledges the difficulties in transitioning a carbon-intensive industry towards sustainability. Efforts such as the adoption of electric delivery vehicles for local operations, extensive use of electric forklifts, and plans for additional solar capacity at Deeside reflect the company’s proactive stance. Farrall highlights the barriers faced, notably the high costs and insufficient infrastructure for electric freight vehicles, while illustrating the collaborative efforts underway with other hauliers to establish shared charging networks.
Furthermore, Farrall’s Group’s sustainability agenda is evident through initiatives like rainwater harvesting systems used for vehicle cleaning and sanitary purposes, and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. The company has committed to a fleet of all-electric company cars from this year, reinforcing its drive towards reducing emissions. The environmental aspirations are motivated by a broader vision of improving air quality and achieving net-zero emissions, particularly benefiting the local community and future generations.
Farrall’s Group’s solar initiative is a pioneering step towards sustainability in the haulier industry, demonstrating significant environmental and economic benefits.
