A year after its connection, Marston Solar Farm has generated impressive amounts of renewable energy and resulted in significant CO2 savings.
At the time of connection, ‘Marston Solar Farm’ was one of the largest utility scale solar farms to be constructed in the UK before 1st August 2011. Aptly named and located in the village of Marston, Lincolnshire, this 4.5 Megawatt solar PV plant was connected to the local distribution network in 2011.
Westfield Farm rents less than 1.5% (30 acres) of its total farm land to Lightsource Renewable Energy, the UK’s largest solar energy generator. In terms of scale, 16,113 solar PV panels are mounted in single rows across the land to locally generate clean, green energy during daylight hours. The land used is Grade 3 agricultural land which was not particularly suited to the farm’s main business of growing potatoes and horticultural crops. Although the height of the panels allows for grazing, the landowners opted to leave the site as a haven for wild birds, small mammals and wild flowers. The panels are very well screened from view by the planting of additional hedgerows which itself creates a further biodiversity gain.
The total amount of green energy produced by the solar plant to date currently stands at 5,991,185 kW h (kilowatt hours) – equivalent to powering 1,327 households. This method of green energy generation has also resulted in CO2 savings of 3,097,443kg which equates to taking 688 large cars off the road for a whole year.
Nick Boyle, Lightsource CEO, comments, “These are impressive figures and we are delighted to be able to report them back to the residents of Marston who have given their support to the scheme. It is heartening to see a community care so much about the environment and I hope they regard it as their own solar farm”
“Interestingly, last October the results of a YouGov poll* showed that 72 per cent of respondents thought the UK should be looking to use more solar power, so the enthusiasm we are seeing in Marston appears to be indicative of a general feeling throughout the UK.” Boyle continues.
Westfield Farm itself has a long history of looking after the environment by taking part in schemes such as the former Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the more recent Entry Level Stewardship Scheme. These aim to encourage landowners to conserve English landscapes, their wildlife and history for future generations to enjoy. The farm is run with a strong emphasis on wildlife and keeps a constant watch on its carbon footprint. Its owners have always been very interested in green energy and after making further investigations, they decided solar power was the way forward for them.
Any farmer or landowner with a site of at least 6 acres wishing to discuss its suitability as a solar farm should contact 0333 200 0755 or email harvest@lightsource-re.co.uk. More information and free educational resource on solar power and climate change can also be found at www.lightsource-re.co.uk.
Related news and insights
05 Jul, 2024
Sharing knowledge and charting the path for the future of solar – Lightsource bp Q2 2024 events wrap up
Lightsource bp’s teams have been on the road throughout the second quarter of 2024, take a look at what they've been up too.
03 Jul, 2024
Zosia Riesner discusses Lightsource bp’s partnerships and shares power market insights on NPM Europe’s podcast
Zosia Riesner, Lightsource bp Director of Power Markets for Europe, appeared on the Interconnections podcast to share insights on the continent’s power market.
28 Jun, 2024
Lightsource bp global legal team ‘Highly Commended’ at The Lawyer Awards 2024
Lightsource bp’s global legal team was highly commended for ‘In-house commerce and industry team of the year’ at The Lawyer Awards 2024.
28 Jun, 2024
How artificial intelligence (AI) is helping Lightsource bp enhance its operations
We are increasingly using AI to help us work smarter and find solutions to overcome significant challenges.
25 Jun, 2024
Netherlands: Championing sustainable energy, biodiversity and agrivoltaics in partnership with the British Embassy
Lightsource bp Netherlands partnered with the British Embassy to celebrate King Charles III's Birthday, while promoting the benefits of agrivoltaics.
21 Jun, 2024
European Solar Day: Celebrating the solar opportunity
The longest day of 2024 in the Northern Hemisphere is 21 June, it also marks European Solar Day, an annual celebration marking the power and potential of the sun.
20 Jun, 2024
Lightsource bp publishes 2023 Sustainability Report
Lightsource bp, a global leader in solar development, is pleased to publish its 2023 Sustainability Report.
07 Jun, 2024
Spain: Agrivoltaics workshop held in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy
Lightsource bp is ramping up its capabilities to deliver important agrivoltaics projects to support sustainable farming businesses.
24 May, 2024
Spain: Collaboration on research project to study Lesser Kestrel habitats
Lightsource bp collaborates with CSIC on research project to study Lesser Kestrel habitat use in Spain.
16 May, 2024
Raising the bar for agriculture and solar
In the heart of central France, Lightsource bp is working with a local cattle farmer to develop plans for a new form of agrivoltaic project.