Going Solar at Countrystyle Recycling

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us; it’s built into everything we do. From turning food waste into renewable heat and power, to producing Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), we’re always looking for ways to do things better and greener. So, when the opportunity came to add solar to the mix, it was a natural next step.

We partnered with Mainland Power to design and install a rooftop solar panel system on our Plasterboard Shed — and we’re really pleased with how it’s turned out.

The system is made up of 1,400 solar panels installed across the roof, generating clean energy that goes straight into powering the site. Because our facility runs around the clock and has a high energy demand, every bit of energy the panels produce is consumed on site. The system is expected to cover around 30% of the facility’s annual electricity needs, which is a meaningful contribution.

Like most projects of this scale, it wasn’t without its challenges. The existing electrical infrastructure needed to be adapted to safely bring the solar system online, and with roof lights to work around and safety systems to install, there was a fair bit of careful planning involved.

One of the things we’re particularly pleased with is that the whole installation was completed with zero downtime. Given that our site operates 24 hours a day, that was a key requirement throughout and the team delivered.

There were some delays along the way due to customs hold-ups on panel deliveries, but the installation phase was managed well and the full project wrapped up within 24 weeks.

This is another step forward in how we think about energy at Countrystyle. Pairing our existing renewable energy outputs with on-site solar generation makes real sense for a site like ours, and it’s a good example of what’s possible when you work with the right partners.

We’re proud of what has been achieved here, and it sets a strong foundation for what comes next.