East Sussex-based digital print company Elephant Print and Display, has revealed that it is benefitting from an exciting new renewable energy initiative at their premises near Lewes, following the installation of 600 Solar PV panels which is enabling them to run their presses and other machinery from the electricity generated.  

The solar panels have provided Elephant with a number of significant environmental benefits as a result of their installation, including; Equivalent to (per year): Saving some 64,350 kg CO2 Emissions, equivalent to 215 trees planted and some 500,000 light bulbs powered for a day.

The Installation of the new solar panels took place over Christmas and the New Year, after planning permission, which was required, had been obtained and granted. The panels have been installed in a field behind unit 1 at Elephant’s Sussex base, and their configuration still allows for smaller livestock to graze and even take shelter underneath the solar panels.

Elephant worked on the project together with their landlord, Matthew Dean Lundin of Barcombe Business Units, with local company PDP Solar being the installers.

Elephant have 2 digital presses and 2 large format machines along with associated finishing equipment. The company operates out of 2 units and is looking to expand further this year. Recent investment has seen upgrades to the finishing line and a new HP Indigo press has been ordered along with a white ink facility. 

Elephant are committed to low waste and renewable energy, with all waste and consumable containers being taken for recycling. 

Managing Director of Elephant Print and Display, Jason Gadd, stated, “We (Elephant) are really pleased that consent for this project was granted and it’s very exciting to think that our presses are now powered by solar energy. It will not only reduce our reliance on the grid but will also make a huge difference to our energy bills.”

Jason added, “PDP Solar coped with some truly awful weather conditions during the installation and disruption was kept to an absolute minimum, the ground was like a quagmire at times.”