Silk Grass Farms Pioneers Carbon-Free Operations in Belize: Agribusiness Powers Up with 2-Megawatt Solar Array
The launch of a 2-megawatt solar array at Silk Grass Farms is a bold step in advancing circular economics and a carbon-free footprint in Belize. This 100% sustainable energy source — the largest privately owned solar array in the nation — harnesses the sun’s rays to power the 3,000-acre agribusiness, including the farm and its 130,000-square-foot state-of-the-art factory.
The shift to on-site solar power reflects Silk Grass Farms’ pioneering work toward a circular economy. Now, the products that Silk Grass Farms produces are made with a renewable power source — a ray of light shining on resilience and positive impact.
“Powering our operations with solar energy helps us reduce our carbon footprint and dependence on external power sources,” says Mandy Cabot, Silk Grass Farms Co-Founder. “Bringing the array online is a critical step in our work toward circular operations that minimize our impact on the land around us.”
Bringing the huge solar array online was a collaborative global effort that tapped the expertise of the Belizean Silk Grass team, U.S.-based Alternative Energy Development Group (AEDG) and Guatemala-based Alternativas Energéticas Renovables (AER). Founded by Chris Fraga, AEDG develops solar and renewable energy projects for commercial and industrial clients and offers advisory services to clients like Silk Grass Farms that seek to develop, own, and operate solar systems. Guatemala-based AER was responsible for overseeing engineering and design, project and construction management, and project commissioning. And Silk Grass Farms Chief Engineer Jerry Williams served as the project's point person, overseeing team members as they provided land site preparation, trenching and wiring, and installation of the solar racking, panels, and inverter.
The Silk Grass Farms solar project was installed and commissioned in late 2023, followed by the installation of components such as backup generators and the microgrid controller.
The project represents a collaboration borne from a shared commitment to clean energy and long-term resilience. “AEDG experienced a strong connection to the Silk Grass Farms team, and saw a clear line of sight to a solution that would help fulfill their vision,” Chris says.
The project’s impact goes beyond its significant environmental benefits, as Silk Grass Farms now operates on its own solar microgrid, or power network, and can serve as a model for other businesses considering a transition to solar power. “The Silk Grass Farms solar microgrid project is highly replicable, depending on project-specific factors. It is a compelling case study for the ‘art of the possible’ in designing, siting, and installing on-premise energy systems to deliver carbon-free solar energy at scale for a commercial-industrial operation in Belize,” Chris says.
The solar array’s placement was selected based on its proximity to the food processing center and available land space with no obstructions or shading.
Silk Grass Farms Co-Founder Peter Kjellerup lauds AEDG’s crucial stewardship throughout the project, which began in the spring of 2021 and included a year of permit negotiations with Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). The work will pay for itself through reduced reliance on fossil fuels as well as long-term financial returns. “Prior to utilizing onsite solar, Silk Grass Farms was purchasing 100% of its electricity from BEL, which uses a mix of electrical-generating technologies including fossil fuels such as oil and gas,” Peter says. “The solar system also reflects a sound business decision, with a much lower kilowatt price over the years ahead.”
A Solar-Power Model for Sustainability and Resilience in Belize
The size and design of the solar project take into account the amount of power needed for Silk Grass Farms’ operations, plus regulations from the BEL utility and financial projections. The solar array’s placement was selected based on its proximity to the food processing center and available land space with no obstructions or shading — maximizing the sunshine available.
The solar array at Silk Grass Farms is projected to generate 3,173 megawatt hours of clean, carbon-free energy annually. That amount of power will reduce carbon emissions each year by 2,249 metric tons.
While the solar project cost $3 million to design and install, it is projected to save Silk Grass Farms more than $600,000 per year in electricity costs, and represents a long-term investment in clean energy. Key design elements to reduce waste and minimize maintenance include:
Solar panels that have recyclable glass, frames, and cells.
A solar inverter — which inverts energy from the solar panels for use by the plant — with a projected 15-year life span.
An online portal that monitors system production and potential issues.
On-site monitoring of solar panels to determine when or whether cleaning is needed during Belize’s dry season.
AEDG designed the solar microgrid with adaptability for future updates and additions, including a battery storage system. “At this time, the cost of battery storage is too high to financially justify its integration, and backup generators are therefore used for this purpose,” Chris says. “AEDG’s team is modeling several new commercial battery storage solutions, including thermal storage, for functional and financial viability in the next two years.”
As a Certified B Corporation committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in its social and environmental performance, Silk Grass Farms sees the solar array as a part of its long-term journey of impact improvement. The company’s innovative practices are made with an “always learning” mindset that acknowledges the need for change and updates during the process.
“For Silk Grass Farms, using business as a force for good means we are constantly seeking how we can build a stronger and regenerative economy for the people of Belize while taking care of the land,” Mandy says. “The solar array is an important part of our work to more responsibly manage the natural resources that surround us.”
Establishing a sustainable, on-site energy source at Silk Grass Farms is another step in the B Corp’s move to enhance its environmental impact, advancing innovations and opportunities for the planet and the people of Belize.