Overview
Stokes Marsh Farm is a 16.6 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by South West Solar Parks. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Stokes Marsh Farm is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an operational capacity of 16.6 megawatts. The plant is owned by South West Solar Parks and is currently operational, adding to the country's growing portfolio of solar energy installations. 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, the plant is considered a medium-sized solar installation, typical for ground-mounted projects in the UK. Stokes Marsh Farm plays a role in the UK's transition to net-zero emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based generation. Solar farms like this one help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support grid stability during daylight hours. The environmental context includes land-use considerations and visual impact, which are managed through planning regulations.
Environmental context
Solar farms like Stokes Marsh Farm require land for panel arrays, which can affect local habitats and visual landscapes. In the UK, planning permissions often include biodiversity enhancements, such as wildflower meadows or sheep grazing, to mitigate ecological impacts. The facility's location in a rural area of Wiltshire (approximate) aligns with typical siting for ground-mounted solar, balancing energy generation with agricultural land use.
Frequently asked questions
Stokes Marsh Farm is a solar PV facility located in the United Kingdom, near the town of Melksham in Wiltshire, with coordinates 51.3076° N, -2.0846° W.
Stokes Marsh Farm has an installed capacity of 16.6 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar installation that can power approximately 5,000 homes annually.
Stokes Marsh Farm is owned by South West Solar Parks, a company specializing in solar energy development in the United Kingdom.
The UK supports solar energy through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for low-carbon electricity, and the Renewable Obligation (now closed to new entrants). Planning policies also require environmental assessments for solar farms.
Stokes Marsh Farm contributes to the UK's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 by generating clean electricity from solar power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.