The developer of a new solar park in Silverstone has announced it has successfully completed the pre-construction of the site.
Shacks Barn Solar Park in Silverstone, Northamptonshire will cover 37 acres when it is complete and have an output of five Mega Watts (MW).
The park is part of a scheme by Hive Energy to develop nine solar sites across the UK before April 2013, which will provide sufficient power for 18,180 homes annually and prevent 25,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere each year.
The solar parks represent a £72m investment in the UK’s future energy security.
Giles Redpath, chief executive officer of Hive Energy, said: “The Government has set a challenging opportunity for the delivery of 22 Giga Watts of solar photovoltaic (generation by 2020 and I am pleased to announce Hive Energy’s contribution to this target,”
Hive Energy also announced that it has a further six 10 to 25MW planned for development across the UK and the results of their planning applications are expected in early February 2013.
Solar Photovoltaic panels have also been installed on four buildings owned by Daventry District Council in the last 12 months and have already saved tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Panels are now in place at the council’s Lodge Road offices, Daventry Leisure Centre, and The Abbey in St Johns Square.
In July 2012 a 600-panel installation was completed on Hambleside Danelaw’s unit in the Long March industrial estate, which is also owned by the Council.
The four systems are designed to produce around £9,500 in electricity savings annually and will also give a CO2 saving of around 97 tonnes per annum.
Councillor Chris Millar, leader of Daventry District Council, said: “These solar panel systems are all successfully generating electricity, whist significantly reducing our electricity costs and CO2 emissions.
“While the systems have cost around £460,000, they have a 25-year minimum lifetime and will generate savings and income long after the installations costs have been recouped, while of course saving thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions.”
 |  |