Nuts, dried fruit and gift baskets from Charlesworth Nuts have been solar powered this year, thanks to the company’s new solar system that was installed on the roof of their factory and office complex at Marion in South Australia.
The 98kW system is one of the largest privately owned solar installs in the state, with the 392 solar panels on the north of the roof spanning 50 x 20 metres. On a sunny day, the solar array provides nearly all of the power needed to run the 4,000 m2 factory.
The company’s financial director, Mark Charlesworth, said the move to solar power takes some pressure off the electricity grid.
Implemented by local business Adelaide Solar Safe, the panels and inverters were provided by OzRoll Industries.
The inverters are manufactured by Schneider Electric, which in 2003 acquired Clipsal, Australia’s number one brand of electrical products, accessories and solutions.
Established in 1934, Charlesworth Nuts began with a small stall in the Adelaide Central Market. As the business grew, they expanded to include other retail outlets as well as their purpose built manufacturing site at Marion in 1977, which also became the head office and processing and distribution centre.
The solar system project was partially funded with the assistance of the AusIndustry Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program.
