Renewable energy project developer TGC Renewables has secured planning approval for an 8MW solar park to be built in the southwest.
The project, which is to be supported under the Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) mechanism, will be installed over five interconnected fields on a farm site near South Brent in South Devon. In total more than 27,000 PV panels will be installed, generating enough electricity to power 2,500 homes.
TGC Renewables has worked closely with the landlord and the local authorities to develop the site through its dedicated in-house development team.
“This project is one of a number of large multi-MW schemes we have in development as we respond to the interest and demand from the farming community for renewable energy,” explained Rob Denman, Director, TGC Renewables.
“With our in-house expertise, we can take the project through the entire development cycle from feasibility through to grid connection. We now have over 10MW in operation or construction and with plans to increase this to over 100MW over the next 18 months.
“The main challenge is finding sites that are suitable and that meet the tough criteria that are required to obtain all the required permits.”
Richard Buckpitt, the landowner of the site where the project will be developed, commented: “We had been looking to diversify the farm’s income for a while, so taking the opportunity to develop a large scale solar project made financial sense.
“We know TGC Renewables as a firm with a number of other local developments and are aware of its reputation and track record in secured planning approval for its projects.”
TGC Renewables is expected to connect over 25MW of wind and solar energy projects to the grid in 2012.