Laurel, Delaware

Allen’s Hatchery

WorldWater & Solar Technologies partnered with Allen Family Food, G.E. Energy and The University of Delaware to design, develop and install a solar photovoltaic system to power a poultry growout house at the Allen’s Hatchery in Laurel, Delaware.  Growout houses need constant energy for full development of baby chicks.  The overall system, which was the focus of a multi-year study incorporates a net metering system as well as a demand management system.

The poultry industry is one of the largest employers in Delaware, with some counties having the highest concentration of growout houses in the U.S. WorldWater’s solar system will significantly reduce Allen’s electricity costs and provide up to 8 hours of back up power in the event of grid outages to maintain the temperatures critical to large numbers of growing chickens.

Charles C. “Chick” Allen III, Chairman and CEO of Allen Family Foods, commented on the project, “I was happy to have the opportunity to collaborate on a research project that has the potential to reduce costs for these growers. I want to do anything I can to maintain the economic viability of the Delmarva poultry industry.”