MORAY TEXTILE FIRM SEWS UP SOLAR ENERGY IN KEY STEP TOWARDS CARBON REDUCTION COMMITMENT

Johnstons Woollen Mill in Elgin has turned to the power of the sun to generate electricity for its sewing centre at Moycroft Industrial Estate. Forres-based AES Solar installed a 20 kWp solar PV system at the site known as Makers Croft in March 2024 and the textile firm is planning to expand the installation as part of their contribution to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Machinists and skilled craftspeople at Johnstons’ sewing centre put the finishing touches to textiles which are supplied to some of the most globally recognised luxury brands. The solar panels have contributed approximately 16% of electricity to the sewing centre since they were installed and are estimated to save 3 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year - the annual equivalent of planting 138 trees. The system generated more than 2530 kWh in the month of June, with the highest volume of daily electricity so far generated on June 20th 2024 - the summer solstice - when 133 kWh was generated.

The operation was led by Sally Roark, Head of Projects at Johnstons of Elgin, who has had an interest in solar energy since the 1990s when she drove a solar car with her school peers for 11 days during the 1990 World Solar Car Challenge in Australia, where she grew up.

Expressing her delight at the success of the installation, Sally Roark, said:
“I’m delighted to see the success of the installation and look forward to witnessing its impact on our carbon emissions. This is a step forward in making a contribution to reducing our operations’ carbon footprint.
“I am aware of the grid limitations impacting many businesses that want to decarbonise their operations in the north of Scotland, however, this was one of the easiest projects I have worked on. We are now planning to install an additional 30kWp Solar PV at Makers Croft and are evaluating the addition of solar panels at our main site. Working with AES Solar on the solar installation and McDonald and Munro on the electrics was important to us as a business that values working with local companies.”

Jamie Di Sotto, Director at AES Solar, said:
“I’m thrilled to see the positive impact this installation has had on Makers Croft so far. Not only will the installation make operations less carbon intensive, it will also bring significant savings on the day-to-day running cost of the sewing centre. As a company, we are looking forward to continuing our work with Johnstons of Elgin as the company looks to expand the existing system. Expanding the system will make a significant contribution to the company’s efforts of reducing its carbon footprint.”

Johnstons of Elgin was awarded B Corp status in 2023 and has put a number of measures in place to reduce its environmental impact, including the introduction of an air-source heat pump at Makers Croft and the use of LED lights.