Shalfleet Expo Boards

8/12/2019 Shalfleet Expo Boards

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Building a Solar Future

Solar Site: Environmental Assessments

What environmental assessments are being

undertaken?

A series of environmental assessments are currently being

undertaken to accompany the planning application.

These include:

Landscape and Visual Impact

A landscape character and visual impact assessment is being

undertaken. This assesses a range of views of the proposed solar

farm. A selection of viewpoints illustrating the location of the

solar farm is available to view at this exhibition.

Ecology

An ecological habitat survey and impact assessment has been

carried out to provide an overview of the wildlife and their

habitats which could potentially be affected by the proposed

development.

Traffic and Transport

A transport statement will be produced, which will detail the level

of construction traffic, the projected delivery timescales and the

route that construction traffic will take.

What are the project time scales?

We expect to submit a planning application shortly, when the environ-

mental assessments have been completed.

Subject to the granting of planning permission, it is anticipated

that the solar farm would then be operational in the summer of

2014.

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com


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Solar Energy: Frequently ask questions

Will I be able to see the solar farm?

Solar panels can be easily screened by vegetation, especially on flat

sites. A landscape character and visual impact assessment is being

undertaken as part of the planning application process, which will

assess the areas from where the solar park could be seen and

identify where vegetation screening may need to be enhanced or

introduced.

Does it have to be sunny for the panels to work?

No. Photovoltaic (PV) panels, such as the ones that would be

installed on site if permission were granted, do work better with

bright sunlight, but they can still generate electricity on a cloudy day.

Will the solar farm make a noise?

The only noise that will occur during the operation of the solar farm

is a very low level noise emitted by the inverters. Due to the sites

location, no noise will be audible at residential properties in the area.

What about the impact on the land?

The land on which the solar farm is located can continue to be used

for grazing sheep or as species-rich grassland to improve the

ecology of the site. The solar panel frames can be removed once the

solar farm is decommissioned with no traces left behind.

How long will the panels be there?

Planning permission is sought for the solar farm to be on site for 25

years, after which it would be decommissioned and apparatus

removed.

How will the site be secured?

The site will be secured by fencing and closed-circuit television (CCTV).

How long will the solar farm take to build?

It usually takes around 1-3 months to construct a solar farm from

beginning to commissioning. A construction method statement will

accompany the planning application outlining the envisaged deliveryand construction schedules.



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Renewable Energy: Why do we need it?

Why do we need renewable energy?

To tackle climate change, we need to move away from burning

limited fossil fuel reserves to using more sustainable, cleaner,

renewable energy sources.

In 2009, the UK signed up to the European Unions Renewable

Energy Directive which commits the country to delivering 15% of all

energy from renewable sources by 2020.

To meet this target, 35-45% of electricity generated will have to come

from green sources including renewable energy technologies such as

solar, wind, biomass, wave and tidal.

The use of renewable energy is also beneficial to the UK economy as

it reduces the countrys dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Why solar energy?

Solar energy is a relatively new renewable energy source in the UK,

but is well established in other countries that have similar amounts of

sunlight, such as Germany.

Solar energy is a safe, established and renewable form of energy

generation which produces no carbon dioxide while operating. It also

enjoys the highest levels of public support for renewable energy in

the UK, with 81% of the public in favour. It is freely and readily

available and will always be so.

Solar farms have a limited landscape and visual impact compared

to other forms of renewable energy and they can be easily screened

from surrounding receptors by planting.

Solar panels are a non-intrusive and benign development - agricultural

activities can continue on the land and the panels can be completely

removed, leaving no legacy on the land. This means that the site can

be returned to its former use after the solar farm has been removed.

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.comFor further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com


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Homestead Farm: Project Out Line

Where is the proposed solar farm located?

The Solar Building Company are proposing to develop a solar farm at

Homestead Farm between Shalfleet & Newbridge (see map

opposite).

There are few residential properties located adjacent to the site and it

is considered that the development can be effectively screened from

surrounding viewpoints

What size will the solar farm be?

It is anticipated that the solar farm will extend to approximately 17ha

of land at the former quarry site generating approximately 10MWp of

electricity directly from sunlight - equivalent to powering

approximately 2350 homes.

The panels will be mounted on frames and will be circa 2.5 metres

in height at the highest point.

Why this location?

The site has been assessed for its suitability as a solar farm

and has the following positive attributes:

The site has previously been used for grazing

The site is flat allowing effective screening with limited views from

the surrounding area

Sufficient separation distances from the development to

surrounding properties

The site is of low sensitivity in terms of landscape and

ecological designations

The availability of the grid connection

Above-average UK solar radiation (see map opposite)

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com



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Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright 2012

All rights reserved.

Viewpoints of proposed solar farm


6/9For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.comFor further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com




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8/9For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.comFor further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com




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Sheep grazing

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