A SOLAR farm near Highbridge can operate for up to 40 years following the approval of plans.

Hadstone Energy Limited was granted permission by Somerset Council in 2014 to operate a solar farm for up to 27 years at land at Yarnwall Manor Farm.

Foresight Group recently submitted a new application on behalf of Hadstone to change a condition of the planning permission to adjust the operational lifespan of the project from 27 years to 40 years, which was recently approved by Somerset Council.

Agent Murray Planning Associates said market changes and technological advancement have allowed solar farms such as this to be maintained for longer periods.

The solar farm produces 2.5 million hours of renewable electricity with a capacity of 3MW.

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The plans say while the efficiency of the installed solar panels at the site will reduce over time, the panels themselves are capable of generating electricity longer than the 27-year period.

“In essence, the project can make very effective use of the existing infrastructure and grid connection during years 27-40 and continue to make a significant contribution to government renewable energy generation targets,” Murray Planning Associates said.

The Labour Government has committed to trebling solar capacity by the end of the decade and is in the process of setting up a new publicly owned, clean energy company, Great British Energy, with the directors appointed to the start-up board last Friday (January 17).

The agent added that the site has been in operation for several years without issue.

“The solar farm will continue to make a positive contribution to meeting renewable energy targets, reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuelled electricity generation, contribute to security of supply, and to an extent enhance biodiversity,” they added.

“The government has recently committed further to switching the UK’s energy generation to renewables and this scheme will be essential to meeting these ambitious targets.”

To view the decision, visit somerset.gov.uk and search planning reference 33/24/00030.

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