“A solar farm gives land the opportunity for multiple uses. In addition to renewable energy production, solar farms can continue to be grazed by sheep and support biodiversity with wildflowers sown around the site.” [Enso Energy: South Glos]
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There are concerns coming out of Cornwall that the national grid will not have the capacity for the growth in renewable energy: Lack of grid capacity threatens supply chains, says new study – Business Live
Another big energy news from the West Country is that the first solar park has been connected to the national grid: UK’s first solar farm on the National Grid switched on near Bristol – Bristol Live
With a finance deal just agreed: Cero Generation and Enso Energy achieve financial close on battery energy storage system – Business Live
It is a massive project: Elm Solar Farm | Enso Energy
As this video of its construction shows: ICS Iron Acton Solar Farm Build – YouTube
There is a fair amount of self-congratulation in the press releases: UK’s first solar farm on the National Grid switched on near Bristol – Bristol Live
Interesting, though, is the increase in biodiversity promised:
• A scheme of landscape and ecological improvements will be prepared, ensuring the project provides a biodiversity net gain. • A solar farm gives land the opportunity for multiple uses. In addition to renewable energy production, solar farms can continue to be grazed by sheep and support biodiversity with wildflowers sown around the site.
Elm-Farm-Resident-Brochure.pdf
These pages have looked at the issue of biodiversity and solar farms before: Are solar farms good for nature? – Vision Group for Sidmouth and Agrivoltaic solar farms for East Devon? – Vision Group for Sidmouth
A study from last December also looked at this: Jess and Jade, aspiring environmental professionals and university students on placement at the Planning Inspectorate, shine a light on the effects of solar farms on biodiversity.
And there have been plenty of other studies undertaken recently: Solar farms can provide haven for British wildlife – Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York and Comment | Why solar farms can benefit wildlife – Keele University and Solar Farms: Biodiversity, Birds and the Bees | Lightsource bp and New research: Solar farms increase biodiversity and benefit crops | The Scottish Farmer