Plans for solar farm with 37,000 panels put forward (From Western Telegraph)

Plans for solar farm with 37,000 panels put forward

5:00pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in County News

Plans detailing the final proposals for a 37,000 panel solar farm near Rhoscrowther have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Bristol-based Elgin Energy has submitted a planning application for a solar farm on a 22.4 hectare plot at Wogaston Farm.

The application is for approximately 37,000 ground mounted solar panels, which will generate an estimated 10 megawatts of energy.

If permission is granted, solar panels will be erected on two principal land parcels, connected with underground cabling.

The solar farm will generate electricity for the national grid for public distribution, though a small portion will be used to power Wogaston Farm as part of the landowner's lease agreement.

The application also includes plans for megawatt photovoltaic (PV) inverter substations, mounted CCTV cameras, a primary substation and associated cabling works.

A 2.4m high paladin fence is proposed to be erected around the perimeter of each land parcel.

A public exhibition, which was attended by dozens of people, was held at Hundleton Sports Pavilion in October.

Some 65% of the 20 people who returned questionnaires were in support of the proposals, with 20% undecided and 15% opposed.

According to papers submitted to the County Council, Elgin Energy is prepared to contribute £6,500 per megawatt of energy generated to be used on delivering community-based projects.