Oakham Ales are brewing a special beer today, named Sun City, in collaboration with the team from solar developer Electron Green.
It will be the brewery’s first beer made using solar energy. That’s thanks to the completion of Electron Green’s work over the spring to upgrade the roof of the Peterborough brewery and install a 458.85 kWph solar panel system.
Best of all, the installation hasn’t cost Oakham Ales a penny, despite the old roof needing a steel over-cladding. Electron Green owns the system and they only get paid for the electricity it produces, so they install the best equipment and manage it to ensure it is working efficiently 100% of the time.
“This is a huge step in making Oakham Ales more sustainable,” said former head brewer Mark Tetlow. He was the driving force behind this, his last project before retirement.
“We’re delighted to welcome the Electron Green team along to celebrate the installation’s completion by helping us brew Sun City, our first solar blonde.”
It’s a 3.7% ABV blonde ale featuring some charismatic New Zealand hops, Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron. It will have tropical, gooseberry, and citrus flavours, with a herbal backnote. The August seasonal special will be available on cask.
The new solar equipment is big enough to power around 130 to 160 UK homes each year. In the first year, the brewery is expecting to save nearly £11,000, with the 25-year savings predicted to total more than £550,000.
Offering businesses flexibility
“Providing a free solar system with ongoing management to Oakham Ales has allowed it to cut its carbon footprint and energy costs in one glorious swoop,” said Daniel Green, chief executive and co-founder of Electron Green.
“We’re here to provide businesses with flexibility in how they manage and pay for electricity. As energy demands are expected to rise by 50% over the next decade, businesses need confidence in their energy supply and greater control over their costs.”
Oakham Ales’ head brewer, Ed Sharman, added: “Electron Green have been excellent to work with. They managed the whole project with no disruption to our brewing schedule over the spring.
“It’s great that our business has upgraded its environmental credentials so massively without us having to offer a penny in capital expenditure, and we’re all looking forward to raising a glass of Sun City in celebration.”
