Sustainability
Everything we do at the orchards is dependent on Mother Nature. As a generational farming family, we have always been thankful for what nature provides.
Tucked near the tree lines of Carter Mountain Orchard, on the rooftop of Chiles Peach Orchard’s Farm Market, and at the production facility in Covesville are vast solar arrays providing clean, renewable power for orchard operations.
We continually strive to maximize our future sustainability. Going green is not just a farming trend—it’s our whole way of life! We are proud to be responsible stewards of tomorrow.
Energy Use
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at the orchards, especially when it comes to production. Our fresh fruit and veggies are grown across 1,500 acres at 9 properties throughout Albemarle County and the surrounding area. From our cold storage, packing house, kitchens, and retail locations, to tractors and other orchard equipment, running orchards requires a great deal of energy.
In 2018, we began to install our solar array, including 559 solar panels at Carter Mountain Orchard and 224 at Chiles Peach Orchard.
The orchards now boast a combined 2,823 solar panels producing nearly a megawatt of power and providing clean energy for the next 30-plus years.
How Does Solar Work?
Our solar power installation produces enough clean energy to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Solar panels capture the sun’s clean energy and send Alternating Current (AC) electricity to inverters. The inverters convert that solar electricity into Direct Current (DC) electricity we can use to power our equipment.
In one year, the solar array at Chiles Peach Orchard produces enough clean energy to make 3,048,000 scoops of peach ice cream!
The Chiles family has been farming in Albemarle County for over 100 years. We have a heritage to honor and a responsibility to the land. To continue to grow and prosper, we must remember our roots while embracing change and looking to the future.
