FAQs
What is a solar farm?
A solar farm comprises a series of solar panels on pole mounted tables that form solar arrays.
Additional equipment such as transformers, inverters, fencing, and a small substation, etc. would also be installed to connect the solar farm into the local electricity grid.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which is then exported directly into the electricity network.
To maximise electricity production, fixed panels face south, and are at an angle to maximise the energy collected from sunlight.
Why do we need solar farms?
The UK has a target of Net Zero emissions by 2050 requiring an urgent need to decarbonise our energy system.
Solar power is now one of the cheapest forms of energy generation, which can be deployed relatively quickly and unobtrusively, with a low landscape and visual impact.
Why do we need electric vehicle charging?
The UK Government has banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and small vans from 2030. As such, car manufacturers will only make electric vehicles from 2030 in the UK.
Moreover, local people will need access to ultra-rapid charging points that can power your car in as little as 20 minutes.
The site is ideally located to ensure that urban and rural communities could benefit, preventing a charging black hole in the area.
Why do we need to produce hydrogen?
Forklift trucks, lorries, buses, and an increasing number of cars will run on hydrogen, and this proposal has the potential to produce clean hydrogen to fuel next generation haulage and public transport vehicles.
What’s the benefit to the local community?
The project is proposing a Community Benefit Fund totalling £250,000 being made available when the project starts construction.
These funds will be available to, and administered by, the local community for environmental and social projects.
The project will promote biodiversity and allow wildlife to flourish. The local community will benefit particularly as the development matures after construction, with new hedges, woodland, ponds, and wildflower meadows across the site.
This low carbon renewable project will also help to position the area as a future-proofed, carbon-neutral and energy self-sufficient place, which amongst other benefits could help insulate the area from future commodity price volatility.
Do solar farms produce any noise?
Solar farms are very quiet. It is only the inverters which make a slight noise, likened to the hum from an air conditioning unit. They do so only during operational hours thus do not make any noise at night.
How will the solar farm be funded if not by subsidy?
The withdrawal of government subsidies for solar farms in 2017 led to a pause in development of new projects.
However, improvements in technology allied to falling costs mean that, in the right conditions and at an appropriate scale, solar projects are viable without government subsidy.
Do solar installations pose a health risk?
No – solar is a passive technology which doesn’t produce any harmful by-products. All electrical equipment we use meets the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive and is CE marked.
Will the solar farm cause disruption to local traffic?
Very little. Construction traffic will only last for around 12 weeks and will all be routed from the via the M18 / A631 and Denby Way and Hellaby Lane.
Once operating, traffic to the site is very limited – perhaps a light van once or twice a month to carry out any maintenance required.
Will we lose the Green Belt?
No. The Mere Flats solar farm will achieve a temporary planning permission, which means that the designation and status of the site as Green Belt is preserved. A permanent development, such as housing, would lead to the permanent loss of Green Belt land. Solar saves our Green Belt – and increases biodiversity of the soil and local ecology.
What sort of fencing will be used?
A typical rural deer fence is used for security. Small openings in the fence allow mammals including badgers to enter the site.
The location of these will be determined by an ecologist where the most used animal tracks are found. Deer and larger mammals are excluded as, due to their size, they could damage themselves or the infrastructure.
How can a solar farm improve biodiversity?
Typically, new hedges will be planted for screening and areas of the site will be sown with a native meadow and wildflower mix which provides an excellent habitat for birds and invertebrates. Existing trees and hedge rows will be retained.
What local jobs will the farm provide?
Analysis by the Solar Trade Association suggests that a solar farm of this size would provide circa. 15 full time jobs equivalent through the supply chain.
Locally there will be job opportunities during construction and contractors from outside the area will use local facilities such as shops, hotels, cafes etc.
Local contractors may also be used for maintenance.
Will the solar farm cause an increase in flooding?
No. A flood risk assessment is carried out as part of our planning submission.
The panels have small gaps in between to allow the rainwater to drip through, dispersing the surface water run off more evenly.
A well-managed and healthy grass field beneath the panels allows the water to be absorbed into the ground. There is no increase is hard surface because of a solar farm.
Can panels be recycled?
99% of the solar panels are made of glass, silica (aka sand), aluminium, steel, copper, and plastic wiring, with an estimated recycling efficiency of up to 96%.
Every solar panel company (importer or manufacturer) in the UK must join a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS), such as the Government-approved PV CYCLE.
This ensures that all solar panels are collected and recycled properly.
Any damaged modules are stored at a central location and are then recycled by a certified company.
How much electricity generation is needed to offset the carbon produced from the manufacturing process?
For a site such as Mere Flats, it takes approximately 1.1 years to pay off the energy debt of the manufacturing process.