Overview
Westbury (Closed) Landfill Site is a 3.5 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by Viridor. It repurposes a closed landfill for renewable energy generation.
Westbury (Closed) Landfill Site is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in Westbury, United Kingdom, with a capacity of 3.5 MW. The plant is owned and operated by Viridor, a leading waste management and recycling company. This facility is part of the UK's growing portfolio of solar energy projects, contributing to the country's renewable energy targets. The plant utilizes solar PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity, with a capacity of 3.5 MW. This scale is typical for a medium-sized solar installation in the UK, often deployed on brownfield sites such as closed landfills. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewable Obligation (RO) to support low-carbon electricity generation. By generating clean energy on a previously used landfill site, the Westbury facility demonstrates the dual benefit of land remediation and renewable energy production. It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports the UK's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The electricity generated is fed into the national grid, contributing to local and national energy needs.
Environmental context
The Westbury solar PV facility is located on a closed landfill site, which minimizes land-use conflicts and avoids greenfield development. Solar farms in the UK are generally considered low-impact, but they require careful siting to avoid habitat disruption. The use of a previously disturbed site reduces ecological footprint and aligns with sustainable land management practices.
Frequently asked questions
Westbury (Closed) Landfill Site is located in Westbury, United Kingdom, at coordinates 51.273000, -2.160800.
The facility has a capacity of 3.5 MW, making it a medium-scale solar PV installation.
The facility is owned and operated by Viridor, a UK-based waste management and recycling company.
Solar PV in the UK is supported by the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewable Obligation (RO), which incentivize low-carbon electricity generation.
Solar PV on closed landfills repurposes previously disturbed land, avoiding greenfield development and reducing land-use conflicts. It also generates clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.