Solar Proposal
What is being proposed?
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 0.7m and will have a maximum height of up to 3.25m. The distance between each row of panels will be about 3.5m - 4.0m.
The renewable energy generated by the proposal will feed into the local electricity distribution network.
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 as undeveloped farmland.
The site and immediate surrounding area have few planning restrictions - there are no environmental designations or national landscape designations within the site. This site has no physical characteristics that will prevent the development of a solar farm.
The eventual planning application will be accompanied by a series of technical reports prepared by experts in their relevant fields. These will include a Landscape Assessment, Transportation Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment, Noise Assessment, Arboricultural Assessment, Ecological Appraisal, and a Cultural Heritage Appraisal.
Environmental gains
greentech is actively working to develop and implement nature-based solutions to enhance and protect the natural environment and improve local biodiversity.
The land under and between the solar panels will be planted with species-rich grassland.
The proposals will include the creation of new habitats which will be identified by the lead ecologist. 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 proposals will also include new native species-rich hedgerow planting and reinforcement works, and native trees and shrubs will also be planted. This planting provides screening, and it creates new habitats that will benefit a range of animal species.
In addition to the carbon offset due to renewable energy generation, another tonne of CO2 will be saved for every 40 trees planted as part of the scheme. Furthermore, the land will not be worked for the operational life of the project giving the soil a chance to naturally rest, recover, and regenerate.
Scotland commitment to net zero
Both the UK Government and Scottish Government have legal targets to reduce carbon emissions.
By 2030, electricity demand will have grown considerably, with an expected increase in electric vehicles and decarbonising homes. This means electricity will play a much greater role across the wider energy system, economy and society than it does now.
Why solar?
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.
Solar farms are relatively simple and quick to construct and have no emissions to air, water or land once operational. The maintenance requirements are very low so there will be hardly any vehicle movements to and from the site once construction is complete.
Solar farms are temporary, albeit long-term developments. At the end of their operational life, all equipment and structures can be removed from site, most equipment and material can be reused or recycled, and the land can revert to growing arable crops and other agricultural use.
Who is greentech?
greentech designs, builds, finances, owns, and operates solar assets across Europe. 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.
greentech is part of ER Capital Holding, a private investment and asset management group based in the city of Hamburg.