Pen Rhiw Solar PV Facility, United Kingdom | 4.75 MW Capacity

Pen Rhiw is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of 4.748 MW. The plant is owned and operated by Lightsource Renewable Energy, a leading solar developer in the UK. As a medium-scale solar installation, it supports the country's transition to low-carbon electricity generation. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewables Obligation (RO). These mechanisms provide price support and incentives for renewable energy projects. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and Pen Rhiw's capacity places it among the smaller utility-scale solar farms in the UK, which typically range from 5 MW to 50 MW. Pen Rhiw contributes to the UK's renewable energy targets, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify the energy mix. The electricity generated is fed into the national grid, supporting local energy needs. The facility's location in Wales aligns with regional renewable energy goals, and its operation avoids significant environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel generation.

The facility is located in a rural area of Wales, where solar farms are generally well-integrated into the landscape. The environmental context includes considerations of land use change, visual impact, and biodiversity. Solar PV installations have a low operational carbon footprint but require land for panel arrays. The UK's regulatory framework requires environmental impact assessments for such projects, addressing potential effects on local ecosystems and habitats.