TGC Renewables, an independent renewable energy project developer, has begun construction on one of the largest UK solar projects in the UK, to date.
The 3.6MW project will provide the southwest of England based farm with a guaranteed rental income over the next 25 years, and a regular supply of clean electricity direct to the national grid.
With the South West benefiting from high levels of sunshine and solar radiation, ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) developments now enable solar energy to be produced at a multi-megawatt scale.
The 14,700 PV panels will be installed over three adjacent fields on a site comprising 8.32 hectares, north of the village of Clawton, Devon.
TGC Renewables has worked closely with the landlord and the local authorities to develop the site – through its dedicated in-house development team – including project management, legal, financial and electrical support.
“Our pipeline of South West solar projects is a real indicator of the interest and demand from the farming community for renewable energy. A number of landowners have highlighted the above-average returns they are now seeing from land they have provided for green energy developments,” said Rob Denman, Director, TGC Renewables.
"With our in-house expertise, we can take the project through the entire development cycle from feasibility through to grid connection. We now have over 10MWs in operation or construction and with plans to increase this to over 100MWs over the next 18 months.
“The main challenge is finding sites that are suitable and that meet the tough criteria that are required to obtain all the required permits.
“TGC Renewables was the first dedicated solar developer in the UK and over the past three years we have been involved in UK solar, we have overcome all the challenges and now have in-house expertise across the skill set and know what it takes to develop world class solar projects.”
The Petherick family, the landowners who selected TGC Renewables commented, “We chose TGC Renewables based on its local operations and its reputation in the area. Over the time we have worked with TGC they have developed a wide portfolio of solar and wind projects in the South West with a 100% track record in securing planning approval for its developments. This project will provide our farm with an additional, diversified income that enables us to invest in other areas of the business and safeguard its survival for the future.”
With full planning approval and funding secured and already in place, the project is due to be completed by the end of July 2012.
Founded in 2006, TGC Renewables is one of the most experienced renewable energy developers in the UK, with retained project planning, finance and development experience.
In 2012, TGC Renewables will connect over 25MW of wind and solar energy initiatives to the grid.