Solar Farm
Our 3.2MW community solar array is made up of 11,976 panels and generates around 2,971,000kWh of green electricity each year. That’s equivalent to the annual consumption of 825 homes or enough electricity to make 95 million cups of tea or send an electric car 11 million miles.
825
Homes Powered
95mn+
Cups of Tea
11mn+
Electric Car Miles
The solar array benefits from a government-backed feed-in tariff subsidy and a guaranteed minimum price for the electricity supplied to the local distribution network.
The solar array was built in 2016 by Grupotech, an international solar contractor which has built over 1,100MW of solar plants worldwide, including 582MW in the UK. Before the solar array was bought into community ownership it was owned by Lightsource BP. Lightsource BP continue to provide ongoing maintenance services under a long-term contract. Lightsource BP have developed over 3,800 MW of solar plants and provide operations and maintenance services to over 120 large scale ground mount and roof top solar arrays.
The solar array is built on land leased from a local farming family. The land under and around the solar panels is managed to maintain a species rich meadow of grasses, herbs and wildflowers and encourage wildlife and biodiversity. The wildflower meadows provide a diverse environment attracting insects and other invertebrates including butterflies, bees, birds and mammals.
SHCE is overseen by a board of volunteer directors who are responsible for key decision making and ensuring the Society is governed in accordance with the Rules. The Board is elected by our community members at each annual general meeting. Up to two directors can be co-opted.
SHCE is professionally managed by CfR CIC. CfR CIC is a mission-led community interest company which helps to set up local energy enterprises and works with them to develop, finance and manage their own renewable energy generation. CfR have supported the financing of community solar projects with a capital value of over £60million and it’s company and asset management team looks after 50MWp of community solar across 7 localities.
Our solar farm is maintained under a long-term service and maintenance agreement with Lightsource BP. Our capital comes from a long-term loan from Triodos Bank and the funds raised through our community bond offer.
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