Forster Group, Scotland’s leading provider of integrated roofing and solar solutions, has completed a major installation for Fife Creamery, marking the company’s biggest project to date for a client in the food and drink industry.

Following an investment of £230,000, Fife Creamery appointed Forster Group to install over 700 roof-mounted solar panels for its Innovation Hub and refrigeration warehouse in Kirkcaldy, covering an area the size of five tennis courts.

To support Fife Creamery in achieving its ambitious sustainability goals, Forster Group has installed an energy storage battery at the firm’s Innovation Hub, as well as providing infrastructure so additional battery storage can be seamlessly installed in the future.

Creating flexibility for Fife Creamery to increasingly store and use energy at optimum times and enabling future flexibility in the export and import of electricity with the grid.

With the roof-mounted installation completed by an expert team in just eight days, Forster Group’s industry-leading technology will help Fife Creamery save over £3.1 million in energy costs over the next 20+ years. 

The solar panel system provides an instant energy output of 211 kilowatt peak (kWp), with an additional capacity of 200kWp available via battery storage. Within the first year of installation, Fife Creamery could save as much as 104,000kg of CO2.

As part of its drive to meet net zero targets, Fife Creamery is focused on reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with industry initiatives such as the Courtauld Commitment 2030.

Since becoming operational in May 2024, the first phase of the installation at the firm’s Innovation Hub has seen its energy bills reduce by two thirds. The Hub serves as a training centre with a commercial kitchen, making it an ideal setting for energy-saving innovations.

David Simpson, Operations Director at Fife Creamery, said: “With a target of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, we recognised the importance of investing in renewable energy solutions that support the environment and resonate with customers who seek to partner with sustainable businesses.

We are an independent, family-owned business and chose to invest over £200,000 to support our broader sustainability strategy. With a high proportion of energy used for refrigeration, we were determined to secure the largest solar installation we could, ensuring that the renewable energy generated would directly offset our substantial energy consumption. It’s incredibly exciting to already be seeing positive results.”

He added: “Forster Group provided fantastic customer service and support. From day one they led our team through every step of the process with knowledge and expertise, ensuring we fully understood the complexities of the system. 

Not only have they improved our knowledge of renewable energy and its potential, but they have also helped to futureproof Fife Creamery for decades to come.”

David Anderson, Design Engineer at Forster Group, said: “It was a pleasure to support the team at Fife Creamery with this significant solar and battery storage installation. This project was one of our biggest to date and proves the point that solar energy solutions can have a transformative impact on energy-intensive sectors like food and drink manufacturing, distribution and refrigeration.

With many businesses looking to divert away from traditional energy sources, solar power will have an important role to play in supporting the transition to net zero. We look forward to continuing to help businesses like Fife Creamery meet their carbon reduction goals.”