Local food processors, Silverhill Foods, have lodged an application for planning permission for a new solar PV Energy development at its Emyvale factory in Monaghan. Silverhill Foods owns around 50 acres of green field site around its premises. If the company's application is successful, a bank of free-standing solar panels will be erected in a field to the rear of its property, but the structures will not be visible from the road.
MD Micheál Briody, told Northern Sound, the new development is in addition to other efforts by the company to reduce their energy bill and carbon footprint. It is expected the switch to solar will reduce the company's electricity costs by between 25 to 30 per cent. Mr Briody also said the erection of the panels is part of Silverhill Food's overall expansion.
The food processor is currently awaiting a decision on whether their proposed extension to their main factory site in Emyvale can go ahead. That application has been sent to An Bórd Pleanála for a decision.
