Overview
Great Knowles is a 2.9 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by The Green Company. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Great Knowles is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an installed capacity of 2.915 megawatts. The plant is owned and operated by The Green Company and is currently operational, adding to the country's growing portfolio of solar energy assets. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework for renewable energy, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme that provides stable revenue for low-carbon electricity generation. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and at this scale, Great Knowles is considered a small-to-medium sized installation, typical of ground-mounted solar farms in the UK. Environmentally, the facility contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. Solar farms like Great Knowles also support the UK's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The site's location in a rural area minimizes land-use conflicts, and the panels are designed to allow for agricultural activities or biodiversity enhancement beneath them.
Environmental context
The facility is situated in a rural area of the United Kingdom, where solar PV installations are common due to favorable solar irradiance levels and supportive policies. The environmental context includes considerations of land use, as solar farms require significant ground area, but they can coexist with grazing or wildlife habitats. The UK's temperate climate means solar output is moderate but consistent, and the facility helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Frequently asked questions
Great Knowles is located in the United Kingdom, with coordinates approximately 50.8042° N, -4.3769° W.
The Great Knowles solar PV facility has an installed capacity of 2.915 megawatts (MW).
Great Knowles is owned by The Green Company, a renewable energy developer in the United Kingdom.
The UK supports solar energy through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated, and through the Renewable Obligation (RO) for older projects.
Solar farms like Great Knowles produce clean electricity with no direct emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. They require land but can be designed to support biodiversity, such as planting wildflowers between panels.