Solar-powered cider is on the menu courtesy of Somerset’s Brothers Drinks

Brothers Drinks is harnessing the sun to power its facility at Shepton Mallet, home to Babycham, Compton Orchard Cider, Mallets Cider and Glastonbury favourite Brothers Cider.

A 317kW, 772-panel system has been installed at the cider mill, which will directly supply the presses with clean energy.

The system has been supplied by Bristol-based renewable energy firm Solarsense, which has also provided solar panels at Worthy Farm itself.

The new system, getting to work this summer, is expected to pay for itself in less than three years.

Brothers Drinks was set up by the Showering family, who have been making cider in the area since 1658.

They first started selling their eponymous cider in 1995 at Glastonbury Festival, and chasing demand from festivalgoers, they decided to market it to pubs and supermarkets too.

Brothers Cider is now available in shops and restaurants across the country, as well as online.

As well as the new solar panels, the Showering brothers have also taken steps to minimise water usage, pioneer new recycling methods – enabling even the backing from their labels to be recycled – and operate a zero to landfill policy.

Matthew Showering said: “Our family have been making cider in this area for more than 360 years, and our legacy drives us to put sustainability at the core of our business.

“We’re doing everything we possibly can to improve our environmental performance.

“Installing solar panels has always been an important element of this, and we’re delighted to see it becoming a reality this summer.

“As well as reducing our impact on the environment, producing our own energy will help us to stay competitive and continue to make great-tasting cider.”

Stephen Barrett, managing director of Solarsense, added: “The installation is a blueprint for how solar should be done.

“They’ve maximised their roof space and included features that will help to futureproof the system and make it easy to maintain.

“It’s clear that they’re serious about sustainability, and we’re proud to be part of that story.”

Before installing the solar panels, Brothers Drinks refurbished the roof to make sure it would last at least as long as the panels, which have an expected lifetime of at least 20 years.

“The system installed by Solarsense includes the latest SolarEdge technology, which connects it to the fire alarm and means it will shut down automatically if the alarm sounds.

“The panels also include permanent edge protection, which makes the system much easier to maintain.”