Solar Farms Proposed for Derbyshire
Plans are being put forward for a series of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) sites – better known as solar farms – to be built on currently-unused land owned by Derbyshire County Council. This includes former colliery or underused agricultural land unsuitable for growing crops.
Initial investigations have identified the following sites for potential development:
- agricultural land at Swathwick Lane, Swathwick, Wingerworth
- Westthorpe Hills, former Westthorpe Colliery
- land at Pye Bridge, Alfreton
- former Swanwick Colliery reclamation land
- agricultural land at Mansfield Road, Temple Normanton
- former Williamthorpe Colliery
It is expected that an energy supplier would pay Derbyshire County Council for each unit of electricity produced by the panels, with extra payments being made if the electricity is then exported to the National Grid.
The project, which is being put forward in partnership with the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) − an organisation that supports local authorities to deliver energy schemes − is in its early stages.
Further feasibility studies would still need to be carried out. If any of the sites get the go-ahead they could be up and running by March 2016.
But before any of the locations can be considered further, local residents are to be asked their views.
Next week (Tuesday 3 March), Cabinet will be asked to approve plans to consult on the initiative. If agreed, details of the consultation will be announced shortly.
Councillor John Owen, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said:
“These sites are not currently being put to their best use and turning them into solar panel farms could offer great potential to generate income for the council and so help protect services.
“Generally, these proposed sites are already screened off, in out of the way areas and in most cases are not overlooked. And largely they tend not to be of much environmental interest. In some cases they could provide a good opportunity to improve the local conservation.”
Councillor Owen added:
“We have made a public commitment in our Climate Change Charter to invest in renewable energy technologies to help reduce our negative impact on climate change and provide local, green sources of energy.”
