Lark Energy :: Lark Energy to Develop Solar Farms

Lark Energy to Develop Solar Farms

Lark Energy is currently in the early stages of developing a small number of solar farms. The company, which is part of the local Bourne-based Larkfleet Group has had a preliminary discussion with planners at the first locations selected, which include Bourne, Lincolnshire; Hawton, near Newark; West Bergholt, near Colchester and Whittelsea, near Peterborough.

A Solar Farm is an array of ground mounted solar modules which harness electricity from natural daylight. The modules are south facing, generally around 1.8m high and are connected to the National Grid. Solar farms are fenced for security purposes and may be screened by hedges. Grass is most often grown between the modules and many solar farms in Europe use this as pasture for sheep grazing.

Solar farms are a proven and reliable technology. They have no moving parts, do not make noise and once built are largely maintenance free. A new Government incentive called the Feed in Tariff means that solar farms in the UK are likely to range between 20 and 40 acres in size with each generating enough annual electricity to supply between 600 and 1200 homes.

The first large scale solar farm site in the UK was given planning permission in November 2010 in Cornwall and a number more are being considered across the country.

Solar power is part of the country’s strategy to generate clean energy as a way to combat climate change and to provide secure long term energy sources for the UK.

For further information on Lark Energy's approach to solar farms, please click here to view a briefing paper for land owners (2Mb PDF file).