Former Westhampnett Landfill Solar PV Facility, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Former Westhampnett Landfill is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in West Sussex, United Kingdom, with a capacity of 7.5 MW. The plant is owned and operated by West Sussex County Council, converting a former landfill site into a renewable energy asset. As a medium-scale solar installation, it contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity, which is supported by national policies such as the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewable Obligation (RO) program. The facility utilizes solar PV technology to generate electricity from sunlight, with the 7.5 MW capacity placing it in the medium-scale category for UK solar farms. The UK's solar sector has grown significantly under the Renewable Energy Directive and domestic targets, with solar PV playing a key role in decarbonizing the electricity grid. The plant's location on a former landfill demonstrates the dual benefit of land remediation and clean energy production. Operationally, the plant feeds renewable electricity into the local grid, supporting the UK's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. By repurposing a brownfield site, it avoids land-use conflicts associated with greenfield solar developments. The facility also aligns with West Sussex County Council's sustainability objectives, contributing to local renewable energy generation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The plant is situated on a former landfill in West Sussex, a county in South East England with moderate solar irradiance. Solar PV installations on brownfield sites minimize visual and land-use impacts compared to greenfield developments. The region's grid integration challenges are managed through UK grid connection protocols, and the facility's capacity supports local renewable energy targets without significant ecological disruption.