Shropshire sites sought for solar power parks
Suitable sites across Shropshire are being sought to establish solar parks to feed clean, green, renewable energy into the National Grid.
The rural professional team at Halls is working with a major national company to identify these sites. Three factors considered when evaluating the suitability of land for a solar park are location, land characteristics and legal issues.
The land must usually, but not exclusively, be: between 30-200 acres in size; preferably flat or gently sloping southwards; well drained; without flood risk; without large trees, hedges, pylons and towers which can shade the panels; well screened from neighbours; not crossed by footpaths or rights of way; not within or next to a protected area; under single ownership; and close to a 33kv power line or 11-33kv electricity sub station with spare capacity.
These power lines have been identified between Shrewsbury, Malehurst and Priest Weston, and near Kenley, Leebotwood, Bishops Castle, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Tenbury, Kinver and Arley.
Interested landowners in these areas are being asked to contact Halls promptly on telephone 01743 450700 with a plan of their land so an initial assessment can be carried out.
“There are a large number of factors to consider when evaluating the suitability of a parcel of land for a solar park in order to secure the most economic production of power and highest return on the investment,” said Louise Roberts, a chartered surveyor with Halls’ rural professional team in Shrewsbury.
“The tariff level is certain for 2013, after which the window of opportunity may well close for many landowners. The landowner ultimately will be required to lease the land for 26 years.
“Index linked rents of approximately £1,000 per acre, per year are achievable, with potential for a bonus in productive years.”
Solar parks use photovoltaic (PV) technology and vary in output from 3MW to 15MW, with much of the land able to remain in agricultural production through sheep and cattle grazing and hay cropping.
The Government has set a challenging target for the delivery of 22 Giga Watts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation by 2020. The country currently produces around 1.3GW of solar PV so there is some way to go.
If you are a landowner with suitable land for a solar park call 01743 450700.
