Member Article

Oxfordshire Solar Farm Celebrates UK Solar Independence day

Industry experts attend event to offer members of the public insight into renewable energy source

Thanks to the recent spate of sunshine, an Oxfordshire solar farm was operating at full capacity when it welcomed members of the public, school pupils and community groups to a special open event last week as part of the Solar Trade Association’s UK Solar Independence Day celebrations.

One of the country’s largest solar farms, the Kencot site consists of more than 144,000 PV panels, generates enough clean energy to power more than 11,000 homes, spans a brownfield site approximately the size of 27 football pitches and is home to a whole host of wildlife.

Connected to the grid in October 2014 and located on a disused World War II airfield near Burford, West Oxfordshire, the farm is owned by Foresight Solar Fund Limited and was installed last year by leading solar company Conergy whose expert team continues to manage the site.

Visitors to the event, which took place on Friday last week, were greeted by industry experts who were all on hand to explain the economic and environmental benefits of solar power.

A raised viewing platform gave those attending the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the impressive site which, in addition to the thousands of ground-mount solar panels, is home to lizards, snakes and several families of Skylarks and a burgeoning insect population.

Chief Adviser on Renewable Energy and Climate Change to the National Farmers Union Dr Jonathan Scurlock, who works closely with members of the solar industry and attended the event at Kencot last Friday, said: “Many people don’t realise that solar farms can offer a haven for birds, reptiles, wildflowers and endangered bumblebees. In many cases, the land can continue to be used for agriculture with sheep grazing under and between the rows of panels.”

The Kencot Solar Farm is expected to save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 16,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere every single year – amounting to more than a quarter of a million tonnes over its 24-year lifespan.

Cindy Pooler, marketing manager for Conergy UK, said: “Large solar plants in the right places, like Kencot, allow thousands of people to run their washing machines, watch their TVs and recharge their iPhones.

“Mostly people don’t think about where the electricity comes from so this event, as part of Solar Independence Day, was a great opportunity for many to see what happens behind the scenes, as well as gain some real insight in to the economic and environmental benefits associated with solar generated energy.

“What really came across on the day was how few people had actually realised that the farm was even there because of the way it is designed.

“The thousands of panels are amidst 15 acres of woodland and behind two miles of hedgerows which keeps them well sheltered from view and also enables wildlife to continue to live and flourish on the land.”

Representatives from Foresight were also on hand to answer questions on the day.

Ben Thompson, Group Marketing Director at Foresight, said: “Solar energy consistently proves to be the most popular when scored against other renewable energy technologies in public polls, and with no noise, no smoke, no pollution nor waste and a thriving haven for wildlife, it’s no wonder. We’re in full support of the day and are pleased to work with Conergy on the site.”

A video showcasing the site is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iav7DrZ94gE

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ashlea McConnell .