Dubai’s chocolate manufacturer switches to solar power

Chocolate and the sun are actually not a good combination, but the La Ronda chocolate factory in Dubai proves the two can go together very well. The factory is now relying on solar power to manufacture its speciality “Chocodates.” The goal is to produce the Chocodates with a zero-carbon footprint.

Making chocolate is a costly and energy consuming process. The practice of sustainability has always played a key role in La Ronda’s vision, which relates to the entire value chain and reconciles economic, social, and environmental concerns: no genetically modified ingredients, both UTZ- and fair-trade-certified chocolate, energy-efficient LED lighting in the modern production and storage facilities, and now a climate-neutral solar power supply as well.

Taking sustainability further

The factory has a processing capacity of 5 tons per day with a chocolate praline size of 10 to 16 grams. A PV system installed on the roof with a total capacity of 650 kilowatts peak generates 950 megawatt hours of solar power per year, covering around 70% of the entire production energy demand. Twenty-three Sunny Tripower 25000TL-30s and the SMA Cluster Controller ensure that 100% of the valuable solar power can be used in production.

Banking on e-mobility

La Ronda aims to capitalize on the global trend to e-mobility as well. The charging stations and solar parking lots will be made available for private electric vehicles as well as for suppliers and visitors in the future. Chocodates will become sustainable in every respect.