In 2014 Forest Hill Farms invested in solar electricity and energy efficiencies in our fruit packing facilities. Solar Power was installed on the packing shed roof in February 2014 to reduce power useage from the grid and to reduce the power costs. To begin with the roof had to be replaced as it leaked and had been patched for a number of years. This work was completed in one day as we needed the shed to pack the next day’s fruit.
These roof panels produce around half of the power required during the day to power the whole shed, cool rooms, irrigation pumps and water units. In many ways this system is a perfect fit as we use almost all the electricity in the day time during the Summer. This shed now has a protected roof, an overhang to the North and a double skin on the West and East walls which significantly reduces the heat load in the packing shed.
Over the years of operation we have integrated new technologies and infrastructure as required to remain at the forefront of the industry. Initially this involved the use of plastic covers over the rows in the ground to retain heat and moisture, and to extend the growing season.
After a trip to the UK in 2017 to witness the latest technology in action, Forest Hill Farms made the decision to put all strawberries under tunnels and raise them out of the ground. This was a large investment into the business, however it is not without significant benefits including reduced water use and staff requirements and less product wastage.
