Solar 'Gold Rush' Heats Up

20.01.11

Interest in Cornwall for potential solar energy farms continues to heat up, as multiple developers begin to consult with planning officials and the public.

With the highest levels of sunlight in the UK, and the recently introduced Feed in Tariff providing attractive financial incentives for renewable energy development, Cornwall is best positioned to reap the benefits of solar energy.

The growing awareness of these incentives, has residents and developers alike, quickly adopting plans to take advantage of the ability to produce their own clean electricity, and generate income at the same time.

Cornwall-based renewable energy provider Enact, states that Cornwall residents are leading the way in the south west when it comes to embracing the latest renewable energy technology, as more households in Cornwall are looking to tap into the power of the sun and install solar systems on their properties than in any other area of the region.

Adrian Wright, CEO of Enact, commented: “The South West is very much split when it comes to interest in Solar PV, with Cornwall way ahead in terms of interest, with twice as many people in the county looking at solar compared with Devon, and over five times more than in Dorset and Somerset.

“Why Cornish householders are so far ahead is difficult to say, but clearly there has been a lot of discussion about solar energy in Cornwall recently, which seems to have raised both the profile of solar energy and made homeowners in the county sit up and take notice of the benefits that it can bring.”

In September, Cornwall Council granted planning permission for the UK's first solar farm at Wheal Jane and four further planning applications have now been approved. The Council has been approached by more than fifty photovoltaic companies and an unprecedented number of additional applications are expected over the next few months.

Developers, such as Solar Securities, are holding public information sessions concerning their purposed solar energy farm at Lower Bodiniel Farm, on the outskirts of Bodmin.

Nick Richardson, its director, told Business Cornwall: "Discussing our plans with people living close to the proposed site is important to us and provides an opportunity to collect comment and concerns so we can ensure the solar farm integrates well into the local area.”

London-based Low Carbon Solar Partners (LCSP) is another of the latest prospective developers to meet with Cornwall Council planners, in the ‘solar energy gold rush’.

LCSP, which manages the £260 million Low Carbon Accelerator AIM-listed pension fund, wants to invest and develop 22 solar energy projects around Cornwall, in a combination of solar "meadow" developments, roof-space lease and community-funded projects.

It says that Cornwall Council's clear planning guidance for solar developers has created an attractive proposition for major city investors.