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update:Dec 22, 2006
Poultry farm to run on solar power
Alan Family Foods in Laurel, Delaware, USA, is to build
a photovoltaic system to power its growout poultry house. The system is supplied
by WorldWater & Power Corp, involving a US$500,000 investment.
Grow out houses are highly energy dependent in taking day-old chicks and
raising them to maturity. In Delaware, the cost of grid electricity has
increased significantly over the past 12 months and the industry is looking to
solar energy as a cost effective, sustainable energy source for the future of
grow out contractors throughout the US.
The
Delaware Green Energy Programme has granted $250,000 to help
fund the system. The University of Delaware will monitor the Allen project and
GE Energy and the solar panel supplier will contribute to the project evaluation
study.
The poultry industry is one of the largest employers in Delaware, with some
counties having the highest concentration of growout houses in the US.
WorldWater's solar system will significantly reduce Allen's
electricity costs and provide back-up power in the event of grid outages to
maintain the temperatures critical to large numbers of growing chickens.
Allen Family Foods, employs over 3,000 people. Along with breeding and
hatching facilities, feed mills and processing plants, Allen has a farming
division that produces feed grains, 28 company-owned growout farms and
coordinates with 550 independent contractors that raise chicks for Allen.
Charles C. "Chick" Allen III, Chairman and CEO of Allen Family Foods,
comments: "I was happy to have the opportunity to collaborate on a research
project that has the potential to reduce costs for these growers. I want to do
anything I can to maintain the economic viability of the Delmarva poultry
industry."
Related links:
Editor WorldPoultry
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