Menear Solar Farm
Development of a Hybrid 17MWp Solar PV and 5MW BESS at Menear Road, Treverbyn, Trethurgy, Cornwall, PL25 3JT.
Anesco Limited is proposing to development a Hybrid 17MWp Solar PV and 5MW BESS site on 47 acres of land at Menear Road, Treverbyn, Trethurgy, Cornwall, PL25 3JT. The proposal involves the construction and operation of a Solar and Battery storage installation that will connect into the local electricity network, comprising solar modules, solar inverters, battery cabinets and associated works, including landscaping.
Further detail on the proposed development is set out below
Click here to view the plans
Click here to view maps
Why have we chosen this site?
- Close proximity of a viable grid connection point
- Suitable topography and ground composition
- A suitable grade of land
- The site is not located within a Greenbelt, Area of Natural Beauty, National Park, Site of Scientific Interest or other ecological designation.
- The area is not a flood risk
CONSULTATION INFORMATION
Committed to engaging with the local community, Anesco are hosting a Public Consultation in September 2023 to allow residents to express their views.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 12th September 2023
Time: 2pm – 6:30pm (Drop-in sessions)
Location: Treverbyn Parish Council Office, Rockhill Business Park, Stenalees, St.Austell, PL26 8RA
For more information please email [email protected]
FEEDBACK
Click here to provide your comments. All comments should be submitted by 22nd September 2023.
Clean green technology
supports technology
saving 2,264 tonnes of Co2 per annum
powering 2,558 homes
System design details
Total installed capacity
Declared net capacity
Number of modules
Transformers
Battery capacity
Climate change emergency
In June 2019, the UK government became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. What this means is that by this date, the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions will be carbon neutral, creating a better environment now, and for generations to come.
Carbon neutral is about finding a balance between the total greenhouse gas emissions being produced, and the total emissions being removed from the environment. This commitment to becoming carbon neutral is a substantial increase on the UK’s previous target and comes at a time when pressure is building on governments to recognise and take urgent action in light of the climate emergency.
About solar technology
Solar is the most popular renewable technology in the world and is an incredibly clean source of renewable energy. Unlike other renewable technologies, solar panels have no moving parts and therefore operate silently. They are also low in height and can be hidden behind hedgerows or fencing, minimising the visual impact on the landscape.
The Menear Solar and Battery Storage Project
The energy produced from the proposed solar farm at Menear solar and battery project is equivalent to the amount of energy expected to power approximately 2,558 average UK homes and result in an approximate saving of 2,264 tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent) emissions per annum. Projects of this kind also present biodiversity enhancement opportunities.
The site is not located within an AONB (Area Outstanding Natural Beauty), National Park or other designated landscape area.
The solar farm would be set back from residential properties, which would limit views of the development within the local area. A full landscape and visual impact assessment is currently being formulated and will be submitted as part of the planning application. It is anticipated that further planting and hedgerow re[1]enforcement will be put in place.
Biodiversity enhancements
The RSPB ‘State of Nature Report’ highlights the severity of the decline in British wildlife. It details that of the 8,431 species that have been assessed using regional Red List criteria, 15% have been classified as threatened with extinction from Great Britain. Climate change is driving widespread changes in the abundance, distribution, and ecology of the UK’s wildlife, and will continue to do so for decades or even centuries to come.
Solar farms present an excellent opportunity for biodiversity. The proposed solar farm will be installed on piles with minimal disturbance to the ground. The solar panels have no moving parts and the infrastructure typically disturbs less than 5% of the ground. The posts upon which the panels are mounted take up less than 1% of the land area. Because panels are raised above the ground on posts, more than 95% of a solar farm field area is still accessible for plant growth and potentially for wildlife enhancements. The proposed solar farm would have a lifespan of 40 years which is sufficient time for appropriate land management to yield real wildlife and biodiversity improvements within the local area.
A site-specific biodiversity plan will be devised to cover the lifetime of the proposed solar farm, working closely with the ecologists, and conservation organisations to ensure that the biodiversity enhancements are most appropriate to the local area.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long will it take to construct the Menear Solar and Battery Storage project?
28-32 weeks including the site set-up and site clearance.
Do solar farms make any noise?
There is hardly any noise emitted from a solar farm. The technology does not use any moving parts and in many cases nature and solar complement each other. Anesco install string inverters on our solar farms to convert DC electricity into AC and these inverters do emit a low humming sound but they are housed in soundproof boxing, so the noise is essentially inaudible.
Do Solar Farms create Glint and Glare?
Solar modules are designed to absorb light rather than reflect it. They pose very little risk of glint and glare and as such solar modules have been installed at Gatwick Airport, along motorways and besides sports car race tracks.
Do solar farms require a lot of maintenance?
No, maintenance is very limited and usually involves 1 visit per month by two operatives who attend site with a van.
Are there any fire concerns with battery storage containers?
The Lithium-Iron Phosphate battery modules – a well-established battery technology found in a huge range of electrical devices – are in sealed containerised units which are safe to use, providing long life.
Each container has a cooling system together with a fire suppressant to ensure safety. At the end of their productive life the batteries can be safely recycled.
How will the electricity generated benefit the local residents?
All of the power will be fed directly into the local grid network, however there will also be biodiversity enhancements throughout the site. We welcome community engagement with ongoing biodiversity monitoring and schools visits to the solar farm.
What happens at the end of the 40 year term?
The solar farm will be decommissioned, equipment removed and the site will return to its former state unless there is a possibility of further extending the term with the local planning authority, which would be determined in the future.
Creating a better future
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