Adding to numerous other companies in the race for the first large-scale solar power plant in the UK, Dorset developer Eco Sustainable Solutions reveals its plans to power more than 1,000 homes each year.
If it is given the go ahead the thirty acre 5MW project, known as Parley Solar Farm, will also save more than 1,100 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Land located on Eco’s existing Chapel Lane site has already been earmarked for the solar farm. Currently used for turf cultivation, the fields have been specifically chosen since hedgerows and woodland surround the site, providing welcome screening.
Eco will work closely with Dorset County Council and Natural England to install more than 30,000 photovoltaic solar panels on the land. The panels will be placed on a frame and are no taller than 180cms, directed south at an angle of between 30 and 35 degrees.
Trelawney Dampney, Eco’s Managing Director said, “Parley Solar Farm will be a first for Dorset, offering a low carbon, renewable energy source.
“Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world at the current time. The establishment of Parley Solar Farm will represent a small step towards meeting the UK government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.
“Our plans are just at the proposal stage and we’re keen to hear the views of interested parties before preparing and submitting a formal planning application.”
Parley Solar Farm will form part of an integrated renewable energy farm comprising solar, anaerobic digestion and biomass facilities. If the plans go through, the company plans to produce a total of 12MW of electrical power on the site.
The other generation systems are covered by separate planning applications.
Eco Sustainable Solutions is holding a public exhibition at its Parley offices on Friday November 5 (1pm-7pm) and Saturday November 6 (9am-1pm). Local councillors, residents associations and other interested groups, including Friends of the Earth, have been invited.