Solar park projects offer “huge opportunities” for farmers
3rd August 2021
A leading property consultancy is working with a growing number of farmers and landowners taking advantage of large solar park developments – and is anticipating demand to grow even further.
A report by Solar Energy UK, which represents the entire solar and energy storage value chain, sets out a plan to deliver the 40GW of operational capacity needed by the end of the decade for the UK to remain on track for a net-zero carbon economy.
As a result, it predicts the industry will double in size by 2030, creating 13,000 new jobs, £17bn in additional economic activity, and a 4.7 per cent cut in total UK carbon emissions.
Property consultancy Fisher German has seen a shift away from the smaller solar parks developed with subsidy. Its sustainable energy team is now working on sites that are typically 150-acres+ in scale, as developers switch their attention to delivering Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) – which are substantial and can produce significantly more electricity.
These vast projects often involve working directly with National Grid rather than the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to gain a more sizeable electrical connection before assembly of the land takes place.
The team said these projects present huge opportunities for farmers and landowners looking to diversify – particularly as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) phases out over the coming years and eventually closes in 2027.
Fisher German head of sustainable energy Darren Edwards, said: “With mounting pressure to decarbonise our energy supplies, solar PV is an increasingly important part of countries’ energy mix not only because of the amount of power it supplies to the grid but also its reliability. “The incorporation of battery storage technology alongside solar is not only enhancing its benefit to the grid but also its value to the operator.”
Harry Edwards, a senior associate in the sustainable energy team, added: “There’s demand for more electricity and it’s got to be green. Although solar is intermittent, like other forms of renewable energy, it plays its part alongside other sources.
“ There has certainly been a mood-shift with developers moving away from smaller solar parks and looking towards creating vast 400MW to 500MW projects.
“This is because they are no longer limited by subsidy rules and although NSIPs must be approved by the secretary of state, the government is now pro-green power and working towards net zero, making them more achievable.
“As a result, we are working with an increasing number of landowners taking advantage of large solar park and energy storage developments, and there are even more in the pipeline.
“We would urge landowners to seek expert advice to ensure that they get the best deal in relation to solar parks and energy storage projects as, if the Solar Energy UK report is right, there could be more opportunities than ever over the next decade.”
Anyone seeking advice about solar projects can contact Harry Edwards or Darren Edwards at Fisher German.
