Overview
Thornton Lane is a 2.7 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, owned by Green Hedge (BayWa r.e.). It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Thornton Lane is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an operational capacity of 2.7 megawatts. The plant is owned by Green Hedge (BayWa r.e.), a prominent renewable energy developer, and is currently operational. As a small-to-medium scale solar installation, it supports local electricity generation and grid decarbonization. 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 technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and at this scale, Thornton Lane contributes to the UK's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The plant's location in the East Midlands benefits from moderate solar irradiance typical of the region. Thornton Lane plays a role in the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy system by displacing fossil fuel-based generation. Its output feeds into the local distribution network, helping to meet regional renewable energy targets. The facility also aligns with broader environmental goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security.
Environmental context
The UK's solar PV sector has grown rapidly, supported by feed-in tariffs and CfDs. Solar farms like Thornton Lane require land use, which can impact local ecosystems, but they produce no emissions during operation. The East Midlands region has a mix of agricultural and industrial land, and solar installations are often sited on lower-grade agricultural land to minimize conflict. Grid integration of solar power is managed through smart inverters and curtailment protocols to maintain stability.
Frequently asked questions
Thornton Lane is a solar PV facility located in the United Kingdom, near the East Midlands region. Its approximate coordinates are 52.6843° N, -1.3142° W.
Thornton Lane has an installed capacity of 2.7 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar installation.
Thornton Lane is owned by Green Hedge (BayWa r.e.), a renewable energy company active in solar and wind project development.
The UK supports solar PV through 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 generates electricity without direct emissions, helping the UK meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The UK aims to increase solar capacity to 70 GW by 2035, and facilities like Thornton Lane contribute to this goal.