Overview
Higher Hatherleigh Solar Farm extension is a 1.5 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by Mr J Pertwee. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Higher Hatherleigh Solar Farm extension is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of 1.5 MW. The plant is owned and operated by Mr J Pertwee and is currently operational, adding to the country's distributed solar 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. Solar PV plants of this scale are typical for ground-mounted installations in rural areas, contributing to the UK's target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The extension increases the overall capacity of the Higher Hatherleigh Solar Farm, supporting local grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Solar PV generation in the UK has grown significantly, with this facility playing a role in the regional energy mix.
Environmental context
Solar PV installations like Higher Hatherleigh Solar Farm extension have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no emissions or water use. However, land use for ground-mounted solar can impact local ecosystems and agricultural land. In the UK, solar farms are often sited on lower-grade agricultural land to minimize conflict. The facility's location in Somerset contributes to the region's renewable energy generation, supporting biodiversity through habitat management.
Frequently asked questions
Higher Hatherleigh Solar Farm extension is located in the United Kingdom, near the town of Wincanton in Somerset. The coordinates are approximately 51.04° N, 2.41° W.
The facility has a capacity of 1.5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale solar PV installation typical of ground-mounted solar farms in the UK.
The facility is owned by Mr J Pertwee, a private individual. It is an extension to the existing Higher Hatherleigh Solar Farm.
Solar PV in the UK is supported by the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which provides stable revenue for low-carbon electricity, and the Renewables Obligation, which requires suppliers to source a proportion of electricity from renewables.
Solar PV contributes to the UK's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 by generating clean electricity. The UK aims to increase solar capacity to 70 GW by 2035, with small-scale installations like this extension playing a role.