Crookedstone Solar PV Facility, United Kingdom | 4.8 MW

Crookedstone is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an operational capacity of 4.8 MW. Owned by Lightsource Renewable Energy, one of the leading solar developers in the country, the plant is part of the UK's growing solar portfolio. The facility is operational and contributes to the national grid. The UK solar sector operates under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) regime, which provides stable revenue for low-carbon electricity. Crookedstone, as a medium-scale solar installation, benefits from this framework. Solar PV technology in the UK typically achieves capacity factors of 10-12%, and the country has over 14 GW of installed solar capacity as of 2023. Environmentally, Crookedstone helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil-fuel generation. Solar farms in the UK are often sited on agricultural land, allowing dual land use for grazing. The facility supports the UK's target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and aligns with the Renewable Energy Directive's goals for renewable energy deployment.

Solar PV installations like Crookedstone occupy land that could otherwise be used for agriculture, but they enable dual use through sheep grazing. The UK's solar farms contribute to reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supporting the country's climate goals. Grid integration is managed through smart inverters and curtailment protocols to balance supply and demand.