Sustainability in action at tomato farm
Peter Seghers is passionate about his vine ripened tomatoes grown locally at his Doonan farm. Sustainability is the way of the farm in its 7 day a week, 7am to 7pm operation.
So it was a natural choice for Noosa Reds to invest in solar panels, solar hot water and an electric vehicle used for deliveries.
Payback was quick with the solar running the irrigation pumps during the day. When the original panels were paid for, they bought an electric car and solar hot water. They use all the solar electricity they produce and only at night use the grid to keep fridges and lights operating
“Our solar investment is giving us a good return. We invested in an electric car and now we are thinking batteries, so it’s very worthwhile to do the investment. I would recommend everyone to do it, go for it.”
Peter says for every problem there is, nature provides an answer. No chemicals ar pharmaceuticals are used and he maintains that it shows in the taste and quality of the fruit.
He asks what’s more important than looking after the environment, as we have to leave behind a place that our grandchildren can enjoy.
KEY DRIVER FOR INSTALLING SOLAR
Peter says he installed solar due to high electricity costs, and because the business has an overall sustainability approach, he wanted to reduce his use of fossil fuels.
BUSINESS
Noosa Reds
BUSINESS TYPE
Farming, 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm
LOCATION
39a Beddington Road Doonan
https://www.facebook.com/NoosaRedsTomatoes
DATE INSTALLED
2014 - 8 kW. 2018 - 6 kW
SIZE
14kW
TECHNICAL
Monocrystaline panels
SMA inverter
Electricity cost before solar
$1,600 per Quarter
ELECTRICITY COST AFTER SOLAR
Current Electricity Costs $220 per Quarter
INSTALLATION COST
$14,000(original 8kW), $5,800(upgrade) financed by bank loan
ESTIMATED PAYBACK PERIOD
4 years(original 8kW), 2 years(6kW upgrade)