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Solar can already produce as much as 30% of the UK’s electricity at different points throughout the year, and in 2020, solar provided more than 4% of the UK’s total energy supply.
One of the advantages of solar energy is its versatility across all regions of the UK. Solar panels do not require direct sunlight to function and can generate power consistently throughout the year, even on cloudier days. Moreover, the reliability of solar power is bolstered by the ability to accurately predict sunlight hours for each day, facilitating precise forecasts of solar energy generation.
Onsite battery storage will allow us to store and export energy during peak times, even after the sun has gone down.
As one of the most cost-effective forms of clean and renewable energy, solar power is poised to experience a fivefold surge in capacity by 2050, as outlined in the British Energy Security Strategy (2022). To keep on track with the UK’s ambition to be net zero by 2050, the Government is aiming to triple installed solar capacity by 2030.(1)
However, this ambition will not be achieved through rooftop solar alone, as few rooftops are ideal for solar power generation. For a rooftop solar panel to generate electricity, it must be south facing (or at least south-east or south-west), it must have at least 20 square metres of clear roof space and the roof cannot be too shallow or steep.
(1) https://labour.org.uk/change/make-britain-a-clean-energy-superpower/
The Independent National Food Strategy Review, which looks at the entire food chain from field to fork, concluded that solar farms do not in any way pose a risk to the UK’s food security2.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), climate change could reduce the UK’s stock of high-grade agricultural land by nearly three-quarters by 2050. A report by Defra confirmed that the biggest threat to the UK’s food security is Climate Change3. Solar farms generate near zero-carbon electricity and thus help to tackle the issue of climate change.
Solar farms provide valuable income for farmers, they can still be used for grazing, and can support UK farmers to continue food production on other parts of their land. Therefore, solar farms have a key role to play in helping to improve the UK’s food security by addressing climate change and safeguarding the UK’s stock of high-grade agricultural land.
Solar panels are made of a frame (typically aluminium), glass, crystalline silicon solar cells, and copper wiring, over 95% of which can be extracted, separated, and recycled or reused.
As High Grove will generate more than 50MW of power, it is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and will proceed through the Development Consent Order (DCO) planning process.
The DCO process provides a dedicated framework specifically designed to address the complexities associated with large, complex energy projects (as well as other project types).
Applications for DCOs are examined independently by the Planning Inspectorate. Following an Examination of the project, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will decide on the outcome of the application.
As the host authorities, Breckland Council and Norfolk County Council will be statutory consultees for the application and will play an important role in shaping aspects of the project. RWE is committed to working closely with the Councils, along with local Parish Councils and statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency and Natural England. As part of this commitment, we will exhibit a proactive approach to taking onboard feedback and incorporating comments.
The DCO process is a comprehensive and structured planning procedure, ensuring that all aspects of the development are meticulously scrutinised. This process involves several stages:
Further information on the DCO process can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/
Solar power is a vital part of the energy mix helping the UK to meet its net zero targets, while becoming less reliant on expensive fossil fuel imports for electricity and heating. The UK has a legally binding commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As one of the cheapest and most rapidly deployable forms of renewable energy, solar will play an important role in achieving this commitment.
Norfolk is well suited for solar energy generation, with good levels of sunshine, along with days that are cool and clear, maximising the efficiency of solar modules. Our site selection process has been extensive, guided by the need to identify suitable land within reasonable proximity of grid connection infrastructure with capacity to accommodate the electricity generated, while also giving consideration to environmental constraints.
The construction period for High Grove is estimated to be around 24 months, with a phased approach.
As part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, RWE will investigate any potential local impacts as a result of the construction and will propose measures to mitigate them if necessary. A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be developed as part of the DCO application to outline how construction activities will be managed throughout the construction process. We will also prepare a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).
The typical lifetime of a solar farm is 40 years. After which it is proposed that the solar development would be decommissioned, and the land would be returned to its existing condition.
The main panel areas will have a security fence around to protect the panels and associated facilities.
However, as part of the proposals for High Grove, RWE is seeking to deliver a wide range of ecological enhancements and community assets. Our initial ideas are shown on the Indicative Landscape Masterplans which are included in the Non-Statutory Consultation materials.
Any noise produced by High Grove would be by the inverters, batteries or substations, which we typically place away from residential properties. The predicted noise impact of a typical solar farm is considered to be low to negligible, and non-intrusive.
We will undertake an assessment of the potential noise and vibration effects arising from both the construction and operation of High Grove.
Baseline noise survey information from existing background levels will be utilised to understand the existing noise climate within the surrounding area. Noise sensitive receptor locations will been identified and noise impacts on those receptors will be assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
Good design and high-quality infrastructure will serve to reduce noise from High Grove at source. However, sound attenuation measures may be incorporated into the design of High Grove to support noise levels to remain under acceptable limits, if required.
During construction, implementation of an appropriate Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will restrict noise to within an acceptable level based on the location of the development.
Battery storage is an integral component of our plans for High Grove Solar Farm. By storing excess energy during periods of peak generation or low demand and releasing it during peak demand or in case of power outages, High Grove can generate a consistent and reliable renewably generated power supply.
The technology underpinning battery storage is well-established and extensively used in various facets of our daily lives. The battery units proposed for High Grove have long lives, charging and discharging thousands of times.
We are committed to incorporating robust safety measures into the design, encompassing features such as self-contained units for each battery, and all equipment will be monitored, maintained, and operated in accordance with good practice and industry standards.
The details of how we intend to maintain and manage the battery storage will be comprehensively addressed in our Development Consent Order (DCO) application within an Outline Battery Safety Management Plan. This documentation will outline our strategies, protocols, and commitments, ensuring that battery storage at High Grove adheres to the highest standards and contributes seamlessly to the overall success of the solar farm project.
As solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight, they do not have highly reflective surfaces. This stands to reason: the more light a panel absorbs, the more power it will generate. This is why the industry has developed high-tech anti-reflective coatings, and ultra-transparent glass to improve panel efficiency.
However, a Solar Photovoltaic Glint and Glare Study will be undertaken which will consider potential impacts on roads, Public Rights of Way, rail lines, residential dwellings as well as aviation. Mitigation measures will be proposed where the assessment identifies potential impacts, such as hedgerow infilling and planting to obstruct views of potentially reflecting panels.