400MW solar farm approved

[dan_b]

That's a big boy. A really big one.

https://renews.biz/100501/boom-power-wi ... r-project/

[Mart]

Nice to see the long operational life of 40yrs being granted. I think that better reflects (see what I did there!) the longer life expectancy of PV these days, and the value of repowering as panel efficiency increases in the future.

[Tinbum]

Yes, it's right next to us and I’m not happy at all.

Solar should be on roofs not farm land.

[dan_b]

Is there anything in the scheme about dual use of the land - ie still being used for farming purposes- agrivoltaics- ? What type of farming is done on the land at the moment?

[MikeNovack]

Solar should be on roofs not farm land.

This is very much climate related, especially where the design is "dual use". Is the "crop" (usually forage if not pasture) being limited by sunlight or water. When the limiting factor is water, having panels blocking 25% of light (directly underneath them) but diverting the water to the land not covered might not reduce production very much. This might not apply to the UK but would in a place like Nebraska.

There is, at least over here, studies done on optimizing. HOWEVER -- those wanting the land used just for solar (because of $/acre) are a problem. Strange how some folks don't understand can't eat money.

[Mart]

Yes, it's right next to us and I’m not happy at all.

Solar should be on roofs not farm land.

Kinda irrelevant given the negligible impact of PV to UK farmland.

That old fun example of 2% of England being used for PV would (theoretically) equal the UK's entire leccy consumption is always important, especially as the point of the comparison is to compare to the 2% of England covered in golf courses/golf related use.

Now, with higher efficiency panels, the figure would be closer to 1%. Then reduce to account for PV farms v's roof mounted (or parking space mounted) PV, and of course reduce further (significantly) as for the UK wind will almost certainly be providing more leccy than PV.

But let's step back and see if this is even a valid issue. Are we desperate for all this farmland, could we afford to lose say a theoretical max of 0.5% of England for PV farms ....... well, given that the Government(s) have suggested that ~9% of farmland will be returned to nature/wild habitats/forestry by 2050, helped by a reduction in meat consumption ........ then no, the 'PV is stealing our land' issue is not valid.

[dan_b]

I read somewhere today that Govt is consulting on a France-style law for car parks needing to be built with Solar canopies.

There are studies out there now showing that well designed solar farms are a net gain for biodiversity, help restore soil quality, and they can of course always be returned to agricultural use relatively easily if so desired - they're not concrete deserts. And as above, can also be used as grazing for animals such as sheep. Other types of agrivoltaic projects see crops continue to be planted, grown and harvested underneath and between the panels. So it needn't be a one-way street to oblivion if done properly.

[Adokforme]

Yes, it's right next to us and I’m not happy at all.

Solar should be on roofs not farm land.

Not happy! Then how about a nuclear power station such as that proposed for Sizewell C. Don't know about forty years worth of sleepy pollution free generation compared to more like a millennium tied up with it's toxic after birth!

Sorry, a bit strong perhaps but that's the reality I'm afraid.

S'funny how we all love the convenience and cleanliness of electricity but only when someone else is having to put up with the downside.
While not pretty, todays inconveniences are becoming less intrusive and polluting than those from a bygone era.