Overview
Littlewood Farm is a 14 MW solar PV facility located in the United Kingdom. The plant is operational and contributes to the country's renewable energy capacity.
Littlewood Farm is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an installed capacity of 14 megawatts (MW). The plant is operational and represents a medium-scale solar installation within the UK's renewable energy landscape. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewable Obligation (RO) mechanism, supporting the deployment of low-carbon electricity generation. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and the UK's solar capacity has grown significantly, reaching over 14 GW by 2023. Littlewood Farm contributes to the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050, displacing fossil fuel-based generation. The electricity generated is fed into the national grid, supporting local energy needs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Solar farms like this also play a role in diversifying the UK's energy mix and enhancing energy security.
Environmental context
Solar PV installations like Littlewood Farm have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no direct emissions. However, land use for solar farms can impact local habitats and agricultural land. In the UK, solar developments are often sited on lower-grade agricultural land to minimize conflicts. The facility's location in a rural area may also affect local biodiversity, though proper site management can mitigate such impacts.
Frequently asked questions
Littlewood Farm is a solar PV facility located in the United Kingdom, with coordinates approximately 52.1267 N, -0.8052 W.
Littlewood Farm has an installed capacity of 14 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar installation.
Solar PV technology uses photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. The cells are typically arranged in panels, and the generated direct current is converted to alternating current for grid use.
The UK supports solar energy through mechanisms like the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which provides stable revenue for low-carbon generators, and the Renewable Obligation (RO), which requires suppliers to source a proportion of electricity from renewables.
Solar farms have low operational emissions but require land use that can affect local habitats. In the UK, developments are often sited on lower-grade agricultural land to reduce conflicts, and measures like planting wildflowers can enhance biodiversity.