Lightsource Renewable Energy - Regensw
Lightsource Renewable Energy Do solar farms impact livestock & Food Production?
Lightsource Renewable Energy • Lightsource is the 5th largest solar farm developer and operator in the world, with full service capability from project development and planning through to operation and maintenance • Lightsource operate over 600MWp of projects generating power for over 210,000 UK households • 600MWp of solar farms is sited over 3,600 acres of land in the UK which is managed responsibly and sustainably • We have deployed over £1.1 Billion to date in just 3 years into solar projects
• Our vision is to use proven solar PV technology to meet rising renewable energy demand.
Lightsource Renewable Energy Accumulated Capacity
July 2012 100MWp July 2011 35MWp
October 2012 120MWp
March 2013 300MWp
March 2014 600MWp
Lightsource is the tenant on
3,600 acres
March 2015 1.3GW
Solar Farms provide stability to the Rural economy • Guaranteed income whatever the weather – invested back into the main farming business & technology • The panels are mounted at least 80cm above the ground enabling stocking densities to be retained in most cases • A sustainable local supply chain
• Employment – Solar farms create full time employment opportunities within the rural community
Solar Farms & Local Employment
Farmland diversification
creates
sustainable employment DEFRA Statistics calculate 1 Full Time Position for every 212 acres Lightsource employs 1 Full Time Local person per 70 acres
Solar Farms Vs Food Production
IT’S NOT A CHOICE – Solar Farms provide
opportunities for farmland diversification
Ermine St Solar Farm 32.449MWp on 164 acres
Lightsource Land Management Objectives • Maximise Solar Electricity Production
• Maximise Productive Use of Land • Be a Good Steward and Neighbour • Work with our Landlords Wherever Possible • Employ Staff and Sub-contractors Locally
Case Study – Continued use of Agriculture for a Dairy Farmer Marley Thatch Solar Farm completed in early 2013 integrates within the rolling South Devon hillside on the land of farmer Mr Buckpitt. The site spans five fields and will provide enough green electricity to power over 2000 UK households. Mr Buckpitt is still able to graze sheep in the solar farm area around the panels. The land therefore maintains agricultural use whilst simultaneously generating renewable electricity which is exported to the national grid. The sheep are often found making use of the shelter that the panels provide them from the various elements and are completely safe to roam around due to various safety precautions built into the design of the solar farm. Land diversification options like grazing are an integral part of the Lightsource Renewable Energy land management policy ensuring that the rented solar farm are is used to its fullest potential.
Stewardship Themes Supported
Resilience of Habitats Reverse decline in Farmland Birds Recovery of Nationally Important Themes X Improving Quality of Water Bodies
Reducing Risk to Heritage Assets X Positive Management of Historic Building Reduce Damage to Underground Archaeological Sites Improve Enjoyment & Understanding of the Farmed Environment
Case Study – Biodiversity enhancements Solar farms provide opportunities for enhancing biodiversity. Lightsource recently commissioned an independent ecologist to conduct a survey against a control plot and the results were very exciting
Responsible, profitable land management in association with our Landlords and the local community.
Lightsource Renewable Energy • Lightsource is the 5th largest solar farm developer and operator in the world, with full service capability from project development and planning through to operation and maintenance • Lightsource operate over 600MWp of projects generating power for over 210,000 UK households • 600MWp of solar farms is sited over 3,600 acres of land in the UK which is managed responsibly and sustainably • We have deployed over £1.1 Billion to date in just 3 years into solar projects
• Our vision is to use proven solar PV technology to meet rising renewable energy demand.
Lightsource Renewable Energy Accumulated Capacity
July 2012 100MWp July 2011 35MWp
October 2012 120MWp
March 2013 300MWp
March 2014 600MWp
Lightsource is the tenant on
3,600 acres
March 2015 1.3GW
Solar Farms provide stability to the Rural economy • Guaranteed income whatever the weather – invested back into the main farming business & technology • The panels are mounted at least 80cm above the ground enabling stocking densities to be retained in most cases • A sustainable local supply chain
• Employment – Solar farms create full time employment opportunities within the rural community
Solar Farms & Local Employment
Farmland diversification
creates
sustainable employment DEFRA Statistics calculate 1 Full Time Position for every 212 acres Lightsource employs 1 Full Time Local person per 70 acres
Solar Farms Vs Food Production
IT’S NOT A CHOICE – Solar Farms provide
opportunities for farmland diversification
Ermine St Solar Farm 32.449MWp on 164 acres
Lightsource Land Management Objectives • Maximise Solar Electricity Production
• Maximise Productive Use of Land • Be a Good Steward and Neighbour • Work with our Landlords Wherever Possible • Employ Staff and Sub-contractors Locally
Case Study – Continued use of Agriculture for a Dairy Farmer Marley Thatch Solar Farm completed in early 2013 integrates within the rolling South Devon hillside on the land of farmer Mr Buckpitt. The site spans five fields and will provide enough green electricity to power over 2000 UK households. Mr Buckpitt is still able to graze sheep in the solar farm area around the panels. The land therefore maintains agricultural use whilst simultaneously generating renewable electricity which is exported to the national grid. The sheep are often found making use of the shelter that the panels provide them from the various elements and are completely safe to roam around due to various safety precautions built into the design of the solar farm. Land diversification options like grazing are an integral part of the Lightsource Renewable Energy land management policy ensuring that the rented solar farm are is used to its fullest potential.
Stewardship Themes Supported
Resilience of Habitats Reverse decline in Farmland Birds Recovery of Nationally Important Themes X Improving Quality of Water Bodies
Reducing Risk to Heritage Assets X Positive Management of Historic Building Reduce Damage to Underground Archaeological Sites Improve Enjoyment & Understanding of the Farmed Environment
Case Study – Biodiversity enhancements Solar farms provide opportunities for enhancing biodiversity. Lightsource recently commissioned an independent ecologist to conduct a survey against a control plot and the results were very exciting
Responsible, profitable land management in association with our Landlords and the local community.
