The environmental idea for the 150 Kilo Watts of solar roof panels was originally conceived by staff at the site, as part of an ongoing initiative for PepsiCo employees to suggest ways to make the company more sustainable.

Commenting on the project, Dave Clark, Sustainability Manager, PepsiCo UK, said

"At PepsiCo, we are committed to building a more sustainable organisation and work to find innovative ways to minimise our impact on the environment. The roof installation at our Boxford site generated enough green electricity in its first week to run an average UK home for a whole year.

"Moving to renewable energy sources, coupled with reducing our energy consumption, is how we will meet our ambitious goals to radically reduce our carbon emissions."

Minister of State for Climate Change, the Rt Hon Gregory Barker MP, said:

"Rooftop solar represents a huge opportunity for manufacturers to generate their own energy, reducing business costs and carbon emissions at the same time.

"It's extremely encouraging that PepsiCo are taking a lead by reducing their carbon footprint, and I encourage all manufacturers wherever possible to follow PepsiCo's example and turn their rooftops into power stations."

The installation is the latest investment which forms part of PepsiCo UK's Path to Zero strategy – a campaign with the ambitious target to make all UK operations and manufacturing fossil fuel free by 2023. Other key sustainability targets as part of the UK strategy include:

• 50% reduction in carbon and water impacts of key crops before 2015
• Taking PepsiCo's main manufacturing sites off the water grid by 2018
• Making all packaging from renewable sources by 2018