UK horticulture cooperative Berry Gardens has installed a 993kW solar system at its headquarters in Linton, near Maidstone in Kent.
The company was able to access a £780,000 (€851,000) green loan from HSBC UK to finance the installation.
Berry Gardens is the largest grower-owned horticulture co-operative in the UK and provides retailers with a year-round supply of soft fruit and berries.
The co-operative has 45 members.
Berry Gardens chief executive Nick Allen said: “Investment in reducing the environmental impact of our British production is essential and the support from HSBC UK with an asset purchase green loan has enabled us to further reduce our carbon footprint.
“We estimate that the new solar array will provide enough energy to satisfy the demand of 237 four-bed houses for a year and will take 292,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year.”
Jenni Adams, HSBC UK’s head of corporate banking for Kent, added: “As one of the leading growers in the UK fruit industry, Berry Gardens stands as an excellent example of how companies can build sustainable practices into their business models.
“HSBC UK is delighted to be supporting the company in increasing its green credentials, and we look forward to seeing it flourish as a result.”


