Overview
Ford Farm (Ashurst) is a 10 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, owned by Conergy. The plant contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Ford Farm (Ashurst) is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an installed capacity of 10 megawatts (MW). Owned by Conergy, the plant is operational and contributes to the country's growing solar energy portfolio. As a medium-scale solar installation, it supports the UK's transition to low-carbon electricity generation. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework for renewable energy, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewables Obligation (RO). These mechanisms provide financial support for solar PV and other renewable technologies, ensuring stable revenue streams for projects like Ford Farm. The UK has seen significant solar deployment, with over 14 GW installed capacity as of 2023, driven by declining costs and policy support. Environmentally, Ford Farm (Ashurst) generates clean electricity without direct emissions, displacing fossil fuel-based power. Solar PV farms require land use but can be integrated with agricultural activities or biodiversity measures. The facility's output helps reduce the UK's carbon footprint and supports national renewable energy targets, including net-zero emissions by 2050.
Environmental context
Solar PV farms like Ford Farm (Ashurst) require land for panel installation, which can impact local ecosystems and land use. However, they produce no air or water pollution during operation and have a low lifecycle carbon footprint. In the UK, solar farms are often sited on agricultural land, with measures to enhance biodiversity through wildflower strips or grazing. Grid integration challenges are managed through curtailment and storage solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Ford Farm (Ashurst) is a solar PV facility located in the United Kingdom, with coordinates 50.9428° N, -0.3223° W.
The facility has an installed capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar installation.
The facility is owned by Conergy, a renewable energy company.
Solar PV in the UK is supported by the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewables Obligation (RO), which provide financial incentives for renewable electricity generation.
The facility generates clean electricity without direct emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050.