Despite the dark clouds still covering much of Scotland, the search is on for new locations where the power of the sun’s rays can best be harnessed to produce electricity.
Although solar energy was one of the smaller contributors to the renewable energy sector which generated 49.7 per cent of Scotland’s electricity in 2014 (the latest figures available), it is expected to grow significantly.
Construction has now begun on Scotland’s largest solar farm on 70 acres of the Errol Estate in the Carse of Gowrie on the River’s Tay’s flood plain between Perth and Dundee.
The 14MW scheme is anticipated to be operational by March and will ultimately provide power for more than 3,500 homes.
Errol estate was one of the first locations in Scotland to be identified as a potential solar farm site, with the land being promoted for development by rural property advisers Savills Smiths Gore in 2011.
They say recent cuts in subsidy by Westminster have brought uncertainty to the solar PV (photovoltaic) sector, just as it was beginning to gain momentum in Scotland.
However, according to Savills, this project is proof that large scale solar systems work well on the east coast of Scotland. Savills, and developers such as Elgin Energy, the renewables company behind the Errol scheme, are now continuing to source solar sites across Scotland, with a view to developing schemes that are financially viable without subsidy support.
Savills Energy Director Thomas MacMillan said: "We are delighted to see this project come to fruition. It has been four year in the making and proves that large-scale solar in Scotland continues to be commercially viable. Solar technology has a far greater role to play in Scotland’s energy mix than many people might realise. Due to reducing installation costs, and a climate of support from Scottish Government, we are continuing to see an appetite from developers to take forward new development sites, even with reducing subsidy support from the Westminster government.”
According to Savills, solar panel installation costs have reduced by approximately 50 per cent over the last three years and the wholesale price of electricity is anticipated to increase in the longer term, even though there is a short term dip at the moment.
The Scottish Government announced in September it will retain a “grand-fathering guarantee” supporting investment in solar farms, despite the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) proposals to end the protection in England and Wales.
Mr Macmillan said: “This announcement came at a crucial time for Errol, and it was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.”
Stephanie Clark, policy manager at industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “Large scale solar projects have played a part in Scotland since 2005 and we are now beginning to see more and more applications for commercial projects coming forward.
“Indeed, with 189MW of solar PV installed in Scotland to date and a further 248MW either in planning or awaiting construction, the sector has the potential to expand by a third in the next few years. Much of that progress, however, depends now on the level of support provided by the UK Government through the Feed-in Tariff and the Contracts for Difference schemes, both of which have been the subject of much uncertainty.”
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