West Berkshire reveals £10m solar farm plan

West Berkshire Council has announced plans to build a £10m solar farm to help reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change.

The plans for the solar farm will see more than 45,000 solar panels installed on up to 75 acres of land we already own – generating enough electricity each year to power approximately 4,400 homes.

A feasibility study found a solar farm provides a viable option for clean, green energy which would offset around 30% of the council’s carbon footprint.

Last year, the council invested over £500,000 to install solar panels on some of its own buildings – including the Market Street offices in Newbury and the Willink School and Leisure Centre in Burghfield Common.

The initial six buildings installed with solar panels are expected to generate approaching 400,000KWh per year, saving approximately 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

‘Last year we installed solar on some of our buildings and we are now looking to build on this with the possibility of a new solar farm. It could significantly reduce our carbon footprint with any surplus income available to reinvest in other environmental projects,’ said executive member for the environment, Cllr Steve Ardagh-Walter.

‘Our environment strategy is something we are absolutely committed to, and this new solar farm is a statement of our intent towards achieving a carbon neutral district by 2030.’

Photo Credit – PublicDomainPictures (Pixabay)