Solar Farms & Developers

Solar Farms - Brown or Green?

Solar farm development can make commercial sense both in the countryside and on non-countryside sites, but there are several commercial factors that often make countryside locations more financially viable and therefore targeted by developers to optimise return on investment.

1. Land Availability and Cost
Countryside: Typically, large tracts of land are more readily available and less expensive in rural areas compared to urban or suburban locations. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to acquire the necessary space for a solar farm.

Non-Countryside: Brownfield sites and rooftops in urban areas are often more expensive and fragmented, making it challenging to assemble a large enough area for a solar farm.

2. Proximity to Grid Infrastructure
Countryside: Many rural areas have existing grid infrastructure that can be easily accessed, reducing the costs associated with connecting the solar farm to the grid. Proximity to substations is a key factor in site selection.

Non-Countryside: Urban areas might have more complex and costly grid connection requirements due to the density of existing infrastructure and higher land use competition.

3. Planning and Regulatory Environment
Countryside: Planning regulations in rural areas can sometimes be more favourable for large-scale solar developments, especially if the land is not classified as Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land. However, there are still significant considerations regarding landscape and environmental impact.

Non-Countryside: Brownfield sites may have contamination issues or other regulatory hurdles that can complicate development. Additionally, urban planning regulations can be more stringent, requiring more extensive consultations and impact assessments.

4. Environmental Impact and Public Perception
Countryside: While there can be opposition due to visual impact and loss of agricultural land, rural solar farms often face fewer objections compared to urban projects where space is at a premium and public opposition can be more vocal.

Non-Countryside: Urban solar projects might be seen as more beneficial in terms of reducing urban heat islands and utilising otherwise unused spaces, but they can also face significant opposition from local residents and businesses.

5. Economies of Scale
Countryside: Larger, contiguous plots of land in rural areas allow for economies of scale, making it more cost-effective to install and maintain a large number of solar panels.

Non-Countryside: Smaller, fragmented sites in urban areas can lead to higher per-unit costs for installation and maintenance, reducing overall financial viability.

While solar farm development in non-countryside areas can be commercially viable, the countryside often offers more favourable conditions in terms of land cost, availability, grid connection, and economies of scale.

The provision of renewable energy carries substantial weight in the planning balance. Ground mounted solar farms are fundamental to providing energy security and achieving net zero targets.

Balancing renewable energy goals with the preservation of local economic activities is crucial for sustainable development.

Solar energy is often hailed as a clean and sustainable solution to our energy needs. However, the rapid expansion of solar farms in the UK countryside has sparked significant debate and concern. While the benefits of renewable energy are undeniable, it’s crucial to consider the potential negative impacts on the rural landscape, agriculture, and local communities.

While solar energy is a vital component of the UK’s strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, it is essential to balance this goal with the preservation of the countryside. Careful consideration must be given to the location and scale of solar farms to minimise their negative impacts on the rural landscape, agriculture, wildlife, and local communities. By doing so, we can ensure that the transition to renewable energy is both sustainable and equitable.

Solar Farm FAQs

What is the Largest Solar Farm in Hertfordshire?

Beane Valley Solar and Westfield Energy Conservation Park, if planning is approved. Royston Solar Farm has a capacity of 49.9 MW and is one of the largest operational solar farms in the region.

What is Lease Durations for Solar Farms in the UK?

Typical lease durations for solar farms in the UK range from 20 to 40 years, with some agreements extending up to 50 years. The duration often depends on factors such as the project size, developer preferences, and landowner negotiations.

Is Solar Power the Cheapest Form of Renewable Generation?

Household electricity bills continue to rise - the energy price cap will increase by 6.4% in April 2025. While solar farms and other renewable energy sources are becoming cheaper to produce, several factors contribute to the rising electricity bills:

Marginal Pricing Model: Our electricity prices are often set by the cost of the most expensive energy source, which is usually gas. Even if a significant portion of electricity comes from cheaper renewables, the overall price is influenced by the higher cost of gas.
High Upfront Costs: Building renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar farms, requires substantial initial investment.
Global Energy Market: The global energy market, including factors like supply shortages and geopolitical events (e.g., the Russia-Ukraine conflict), affects wholesale energy prices. These increases in wholesale prices are reflected in consumer bills.
Energy Transition Costs: Transitioning to a greener energy system involves costs related to upgrading infrastructure and integrating renewable sources into the grid. These costs can also contribute to higher bills.

Despite the growing share of renewables, these factors collectively impact electricity prices.

Is our Greenbelt Protected from Solar Farm Developments?

The UK government has indeed recognised the energy crisis as a significant issue, and this can be considered a “very special circumstance” for allowing development on Green Belt land. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that renewable energy projects in the Green Belt are generally considered inappropriate development.

However, if developers can demonstrate that the benefits of the project clearly outweigh any potential harm to the Green Belt, planning permission can be granted. In recent planning appeals, solar farm projects have been approved on Green Belt land due to the urgent need for renewable energy and the benefits they provide in terms of energy security and sustainability.

These decisions often hinge on the argument that the energy crisis and the need for rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure constitute "very special circumstances".

Solar Farm Developers

Renewable Energy Systems Limited

Renewable Energy Systems Limited (RES) - Beane Valley Solar Farm Power Plant.

The principal activities of RES is the provision of development, engineering, technical, procurement, project management and environmental services in relation to the development, construction, operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects and associated infrastructure.

The full planning application can be viewed on the council's website by searching using the planning reference number: 3/24/2245/FUL.

Beane Valley Solar Farm Site Infrastructure Layout Map

Public consultation ran from 14 November 2023 to 28 November 2023 with a public exhibition held on 14 November at Girlguiding Hertfordshire County Centre, Cottered, SG9 9QP

Renewable Energy Systems Limited
Company No. 1589961
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office address: Beaufort Court, Egg Farm Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 8LR
Website: https://www.res-group.com/ & https://www.beane-solarfarm.co.uk/planning-application/

Lightrock Power Limited - Westfield Energy Conservation Park

Lightrock Power Limited - Munches Farm Solar Farm Power Plant, Cumberlow Green, Hertfordshire.
The principal activities of Lightrock Power Limited is as a greenfield developer to plan and develop sites. “We aim to do this by paying close attention to our three core pillars of environment, economy and ecology.”

“We will develop on non-agricultural land or land which is of lower agricultural quality where this is available".

Westfield Energy Conservation Park Why here?

Their sites will be owned and operated by Bluefield. Planning permission is granted to the site regardless of who owns or operates it. There are currently nine Lightrock/Bluefield sites at various stages of active planning.

The developers pre-application community consultation will run from the 25th February - 28th March 2025.

The developers are engaging with North Hertfordshire District Council to understand what environmental surveys they required to be undertaken for the Westfield Energy Conservation Park, which is likely to include:

Planning, Design and Access Statement
Planning Application Drawings
Landscape and Visual Appraisal
Heritage Desk Based Assessment
Flood Risk Assessment / Drainage Strategy
Ecological Impact Assessment
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment and associated DEFRA metric
Noise Impact Assessment
Transport Statement and Construction Traffic Management Plan
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
Fire Safety Strategy Report
ALC Report
Statement of Community Involvement
Geophysics Report
Photomontages.

Ahead of their consultation launch Lightrock Power Limited are writing to elected officials, parish councils, nearby residents and relevant organisations representing the local communities.

Fiona Wojciechowski - Community Stakeholder Manager

Lightrock Power Limited - Westfield Energy Conservation Park
Incorporated in England and Wales
Registered Number 10927217
Registered office is 160 Eureka Park, Kennington, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4AZ
Website: https://www.lightrockpower.com/ & https://www.westfieldenergyconservationpark.com/

Telephone: 0808 168 7888

Email: info@westfieldenergyconservationpark.com

Bluefield Limited Liability Partnership

Bluefield Limited Liability Partnership - Munches Farm Solar Farm Power Plant at the Westfield Energy Conservation Park.

Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF) primarily targets utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage assets and portfolios on greenfield, industrial and/or commercial sites. BSIF aims to deliver long-term stable dividends and has one of the most successful track records in the sector.

BSIF seeks to provide shareholders with an attractive return. This is mainly in the form of quarterly income distributions through being invested primarily in renewable energy assets in the UK.

BSIF gives private and institutional investors access to a renewable energy strategy that seeks to deliver attractive, alternative sterling income. It invests primarily in solar, alongside wind and energy storage assets. It has benefited from having dedicated and aligned teams with responsibility for the development, investment, management and maintenance of the portfolio.

Bluefield is a Limited Liability Partnership
Registered in England and Wales
Registered company number OC348071.
Bluefield’s registered office address is 40 Queen Anne Street, London, W1G 9EL
Website: https://bluefieldsif.com/