Overview
Land North of the Wood at Averill Farm is a 5 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by Stretton Solar. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Land North of the Wood at Averill Farm is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, owned and operated by Stretton Solar. With a capacity of 5 MW, it is a small-scale solar installation that feeds clean electricity into the national grid. The facility is operational and supports the UK's transition to low-carbon energy sources. The UK solar sector benefits from the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which provides price stability for renewable generators. This regulatory framework, along with the Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme, has driven significant solar deployment across the country. Solar PV installations like this one typically have a lifespan of 25-30 years and require minimal maintenance, making them a reliable source of renewable energy. The facility's location in the East Midlands region benefits from moderate solar irradiance levels suitable for solar generation. By displacing fossil fuel-based electricity, the plant helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports the UK's net-zero target by 2050. Small-scale solar farms also contribute to local energy security and can provide habitat for pollinators if managed with biodiversity measures.
Environmental context
Solar PV facilities like Land North of the Wood at Averill Farm have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no emissions or water use. However, land use for solar farms can impact local ecosystems and agricultural land. In the UK, solar developments are often sited on lower-grade agricultural land to minimize food production conflicts. The facility's location in a rural area may also affect local visual amenity, though this is mitigated by screening and site design.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located in the United Kingdom, near the town of Stretton in the East Midlands region. The exact coordinates are 53.1469 N, -1.3955 W.
It is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility that converts sunlight into electricity. The 5 MW capacity is enough to power approximately 1,500 homes annually.
The facility is owned and operated by Stretton Solar, a renewable energy company based in the UK.
The UK supports solar PV through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated, and the Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme, which requires suppliers to source a portion of their electricity from renewables.
By generating 5 MW of clean electricity, the facility helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supports the UK's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It also contributes to the country's target of 40 GW of solar capacity by 2030.