Project background and the site The 100 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system was installed as part of Cadbury Schweppes’ ‘Purple goes Green’ global initiative which aims to reduce the environmental impact, energy expenses and greenhouse gas emissions for the business.

The system is the largest single rooftop solar system in New South Wales, with all 640 panels installed on the roof of a Cadbury Schweppes manufacturing facility.

The system was launched by the Hon. Peter Garrett, Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, in February 2008.

Energy purchase and supply The plant is expected to produce 140 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per annum, with power generated from the project being used internally by Cadbury Schweppes.

Article continues below…

Solar is connected to Cadbury Schweppes’ main switchboard and power is utilised completely within plant. Cadbury Schweppes also has two on-site transformers that feed into Integral Energy’s 11 kilovolt ring main network.

Environmental impact The project is expected to save approximately 140 tonnes per annum of greenhouse gas emissions.

Success of the project to date The installation of the solar system was managed so as not to disrupt the operations of the busy site which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The system has been operating smoothly since its commissioning in January 2007, generating in excess of 70 MWh of clean electricity.

The project is expected to stand as an example to the global Purple Goes Green initiative across Cadbury Schweppes’ operations.

Funding arrangements and acknowledgements A significant proportion of funding came from the Australian Government as part of the Blacktown Solar City project. The Cadbury Schweppes installation is one of the commercial solar systems to be installed as part of Blacktown Solar City.