Barn Farm Solar Farm is expected to generate around 18,000 MWhp of renewable energy per year, which is the equivalent annual consumption of approximately 4,750 homes which corresponds to about 10.5% of all residential properties in North West Leicestershire. Furthermore, it will displace approximately 7,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year assuming that the same amount of electricity would have been generated by fossil fuels.
The proposal will consist of rows of solar PV panels, mounted on steel framework, running east to west. The panels will be inclined at an angle of about 20° and face south. The panels will be raised above the ground by 0.8m and will have a maximum height of approximately 3m. The distance between each row of panels will be between 3.5 and 4.0m to minimise shading effects between the rows, and allow continued agricultural use through sheep grazing.
Construction vehicles will travel to site from the A511 and will be routed so as to minimise impacts on residents
The renewable energy generated by the proposal will connect to the local electricity distribution network via the overhead line at the north boundary of the site.
The solar farm will be a temporary development and, after 40 years of operation, it will be decommissioned, all equipment and structures removed from site, and the land will be returned to the owner.
The land under and between the solar panels will be planted with species-rich grassland that can be used for sheep grazing.
The proposals will include the creation of new habitats, and provision will be made to encourage wildlife to use the site, such as the installation of structures for roosting and nesting birds and bats, and the creation of refuge areas and shelters for hibernating species.
The demand for electricity in 2035 is projected to increase between 30-40% from today’s levels. Achieving the Government’s targets will require a rapid and expanded deployment of renewable energy over the next 15 years in addition to cutting carbon from other parts of the economy.
The Climate Change Committee, which advises the Government, has identified solar power as having a key role in helping the UK meet its net zero ambitions as it provides a free, natural, renewable source of electricity generation.
Barn Farm Solar Farm will make a significant contribution to the climate emergency by generating local renewable energy, building resilience into the local electricity grid, improving local biodiversity, and promoting the value of the natural environment.
Solar farms are an accepted and popular form of renewable energy generation especially as they operate without any form of Government subsidy. They are also relatively unobtrusive and have limited effect on the environment compared to other forms of energy generation.
Of the hundreds of potential sites we assess every year at greentech, we proceed to planning with less than 10%. The other 90% are either unable to achieve a financially viable grid connection, are technically unfeasible due to the characteristics of the site, do not have a willing landowner, or are considered inappropriate from a planning policy or environmental point of view.
This site has no physical characteristics that will prevent the development of a solar farm. It comprises two fields which are used for livestock grazing and growing crops.
The existing electricity network has sufficient capacity to connect a solar farm of this scale at this location.
Most of the site’s boundaries are lined with established trees and hedgerows which will be retained and enhanced to improve the ecological value of the site and help limit views of the development from surrounding properties and settlements.
We are engaging with various experts to undertake surveys and reviews of the site and locality to ensure that any proposal will have minimal impacts and achieve Biodiversity Net Gain greater than 10%. These will include a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Transportation Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment, Glint and Glare Study, Ecological Appraisal and Biodiversity Net Gain Calculations, Agricultural Land Classification, and a Cultural Heritage Appraisal.
We manage a portfolio of more than 900MW of operational solar farms and have a development pipeline of more than 1GW of sites under consideration across the UK including several projects in Scotland.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please use the form below to get in touch.
You are invited to come along and meet our team, ask any questions you may have and find out more about the proposals at a public exhibition.
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