Overview
Trowle Common is a 5 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, owned by Low Carbon. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Trowle Common is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an installed capacity of 5 megawatts (MW). Owned by Low Carbon, the plant is operational and feeds renewable electricity into the national grid. This scale places it within the small-to-medium segment of UK solar farms, which typically range from 1 MW to 50 MW. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework for renewable energy, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewables Obligation (RO). These mechanisms provide price support and incentivize 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. Trowle Common contributes to the UK's net-zero emissions target by displacing fossil fuel generation. Solar farms like this also support local grid stability and can provide ecosystem services through biodiversity-friendly land management. The plant's location in the South West of England benefits from relatively high solar irradiance compared to other UK regions.
Environmental context
Solar PV facilities like Trowle Common require land for panel arrays, which can impact local land use and visual amenity. However, they produce no emissions during operation and have low water consumption. The UK's temperate climate means solar generation is seasonal, with higher output in summer. Proper siting and habitat management can mitigate ecological impacts, such as on local flora and fauna.
Frequently asked questions
Trowle Common is located in the United Kingdom, near the town of Trowle in Wiltshire, South West England.
Trowle Common has an installed capacity of 5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar PV facility.
Trowle Common is owned by Low Carbon, a renewable energy investment company based in the UK.
The UK supports solar energy through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewables Obligation (RO), which provide price guarantees and incentives for low-carbon electricity.
Solar farms require land use but produce no emissions during operation. They can be designed to enhance biodiversity, and their lifecycle emissions are significantly lower than fossil fuels.