Overview
Walland Farm is a 5 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by Lightsource Renewable Energy. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Walland Farm is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an installed capacity of 5 megawatts. Owned by Lightsource Renewable Energy, a leading solar developer, the plant is operational and feeds clean electricity into the national grid. This scale places it within the small-to-medium range for 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 that provides stable revenue for low-carbon electricity generation. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor panels, with no moving parts and minimal maintenance. The UK's solar capacity has grown significantly, supported by government targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Environmentally, Walland Farm contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. Solar farms like this one have a low operational carbon footprint and can be integrated with agricultural land use. The facility supports the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy system and helps meet regional renewable energy targets.
Environmental context
The UK's temperate climate with moderate solar irradiance supports solar PV generation, though output varies seasonally. Solar farms require land use, which can impact local ecosystems, but they can be designed to coexist with biodiversity, such as planting wildflowers between panels. The facility's location in a rural area minimizes visual impact on urban centers.
Frequently asked questions
Walland Farm is located in the United Kingdom, with coordinates approximately 50.9758° N, -4.3468° W.
Walland Farm has an installed capacity of 5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar PV facility.
Walland Farm is owned by Lightsource Renewable Energy, a major solar developer in the UK and globally.
The UK supports solar energy through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity, and through the Renewable Obligation (now closed to new entrants). Solar PV also benefits from the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Solar farms have low operational emissions but require land use. They can be designed to enhance biodiversity, such as incorporating pollinator habitats. The UK's solar farms contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.