Kerry car dealer goes 100pc solar

A Kerry Volkswagen dealership is doing its bit for a greener operation, by going 100pc for getting its own electricity from solar, writes Brian Byrne.

Divane's of Castleisland have had solar panels installed which can provide up to 73,000kWh of electricity every year.

The work was carried out by Energywise Ireland, and the installation will power all the energy requirements of the showrooms, the workshop, and the business's own fleet of electric and PHEV vehicles.

John Vahey, Brand Manager at Divane’s Volkswagen, noted that they are the first Volkswagen retailer to complete a project of this scope. "We are a large business and have heavy electricity requirements," he said. "We decided we needed to look towards the future and stop our reliance on fossil fuel energy by replacing it with renewable solar energy. This system is equivalent to planting 1,600 trees, saving over 35 tonnes of CO2 emissions."

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Applegreen commits to major reduction in carbon footprint

Forecourt retailer Applegreen has committed to reduce the direct carbon footprint of its Irish operation by 90pc by 2030, writes Brian Byrne.

Under its 'Drive Change' plan, the company will focus on using 100pc renewable energy and what it calls 'increased EV solutions' to help it achieve the goal. These latter will include using EVs in the business's own staff fleet.

Applegreen will also use carbon offsets to to balance any residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.

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