Project Information

Climate change is already resulting in an increase in global temperatures and weather patterns affecting societies and ecosystems in the UK and around the world.

To combat climate change, the UK has set the ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To do this, the UK will shut all coal-fired power stations by 2025 and needs to transition to zero and low carbon sources of power. This means the amount of energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar, needs to increase. Flaxlands Solar Farm will play an important regional and national part in this transition to renewable energy generation.

Currently the UK’s electricity price is among the highest in Europe. The cause of this can be attributed to the lack of ‘home-grown’ energy and our susceptibility to outside influences on our energy prices. To combat this, the UK needs to find ways to increase its energy security, and renewable and clean energy generating power stations, such as solar and wind, play a vital part in achieving this goal.

Furthermore, National Grid expects the UK to double the amount of its energy usage by 2050, partly due to the growth in electric vehicle ownership and the proposed abolition of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. To keep up with this increased demand while achieving our carbon targets, an increase in renewable energy generating stations is required across the UK.

Flaxlands Solar Farm is anticipated to power approximately 21,000 homes, whilst reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 17,900 tonnes per year, over its 40-year lifespan and is therefore a key part of the UK climate and energy security targets, as well as Wiltshire’s regional climate ambitions.

Flaxlands Solar Farm has an expected generating capacity of c.49.9MW and 49MW BESS.

The solar farm will consist of:

• 87 hectare solar farm located north of Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire.
• 49MW of BESS.
• Fixed-tilt solar PV panels. This means that they are fixed in position facing south and do not move during the day;
• Solar panels will cover approximately 26 ha (64 acres) with a power generation capacity of up to 49.9 megawatts (MW) peak;
• Solar panels set on lightweight frames with interrow spacing of minimum 2.5m apart with a minimum ground clearance of 0.6m and a maximum panel height of up to 3m;
• Power will be converted from Direct Current to Alternating Current, and the voltage stepped up suitable for the UK national electricity network (“the grid”) via onsite inverters and transformers;
• An on-site substation, BESS and associated infrastructure covering 0.84 hectares (2.08 acres);
• A security fence up to 2.5m high, and CCTV cameras and a thermal imaging detection system located on 3m high poles;
• Internal access tracks; and
• Ecological mitigation and enhancement areas to protect the ecology and habitats of the Site. The project will utilise approximately 13.4 hectares (33 acres) of land for BNG purposes.

The plans show the proposed site location and layout, including the area the solar panels will cover, associated infrastructure, and the proposed ecological mitigation areas.

Plan 1 shows the location of the site and Plan 2 shows the proposed site layout, including the area the solar panels will cover and associated infrastructure. Click on the links to enlarge the plans.

Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells (which is why generating electricity with solar panels is also called solar PV) that convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

Photovoltaic cells are sandwiched between layers of semi-conducting materials such as silicone. Each layer has different electronic properties that energise when hit by photons from sunlight, creating an electric field. This is known as the photoelectric effect, and this creates the electrical current.

Solar panels generate a Direct Current (DC) of electricity. This is then passed through an inverter to convert it into an Alternating Current (AC), and then to a transformer (sometimes a series of transformers) to upgrade the voltage so that the electricity generated can then be fed into the National Grid.

Plan 3 shows the key components of this type of solar development. Click on the link to enlarge the plan.

We have been working hard to be mindful of the environment at the site. Surveys have been carried out to assess Flaxlands Solar Farm’s likely effects on the environment, landscape, heritage and local community. We have also looked into ways to enhance local ecology and biodiversity through the project and we are predicted to uplift biodiversity net gain in the following areas:

• Area habitats: +14.13%
• Hedgerow habitats: +24.88%
• Watercourse habitats: +82.98%

We have also submitted our Ecological Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment as part of our planning submission to Wiltshire Council which can be viewed here.

The proposal is sited in a location where visibility onto the site, and of the solar panels is extremely limited due to the existing hedgerows and woodlands and wherever feasible, existing trees and hedges will be maintained and where required, new screening vegetation such as infilling and enhances hedges will be planted. Further planting as recommended by the ecological and landscape assessments will be following and carried out on the site, and would be consulted on, and agreed with the local authority prior to their determination.

The landscape impacts to the existing public right of way network will be minimised as much as possible through enhancing the public right of way routes to make them more useable throughout the year, and by providing vegetation planting such as new hedges and native flower meadows.

Our planning application has now been submitted to Wiltshire Council to seek approval for Flaxlands Solar Farm. Should planning permission be granted, we anticipate that construction (following some enabling works) will then take approximately 20 to 30 weeks to complete. Enabling works would start 6-12 months prior to construction, although some landscaping works (e.g. any tree planting) could occur sooner if required or beneficial.