Solar Farm Project

Published: 3rd August 2021

Last Updated: 5th January 2024

This webpage will be updated regularly with the latest project information.

The Airport appointed the approved contractor, Vital Energi, in July 2022 to undertake Phase 1 of the solar farm development. This phase has now been completed and the first phase is now operational, providing 3MW of power to the Airport site. This first phase consisted of a £3.6m investment, of which 50% is funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Airport are currently planning the delivery of phase 2 of the solar farm in 2024.

Why did we Build a Solar Farm?

As a responsible organisation, we needed to recognise the need to reduce our carbon outputs. We are committed to becoming a Net Zero carbon emissions site by 2035. In order to achieve this we have developed a Net Zero Carbon 2035 strategy that looks at ways Your Airport can become more sustainable through reducing and offsetting our carbon emissions.

Our heating and electricity use forms a significant part of our carbon emissions. While we have taken many steps over the years to retrofit more environmentally friendly solutions, we needed to explore onsite renewable energy opportunities.

The proposed scheme would see the installation of a solar farm on Airport land to supply 100% of the Airport’s electricity requirements.

Drone Video

Project Overview

Planning permission was gained for a solar farm (up to 16MW) and associated infrastructure which will be built in 4 phases, between 2022 and 2035, to support the Airport now and in the future. The first phase of the solar farm was constructed in Winter 2022 and became operational in early 2023.

The solar farm site is situated to the south of the eastern end of the Airport runway, adjacent to the Main Road, Dinnington / Brunton Lane and Coach Lane junction.

Solar panels have been arranged across the site in a grid pattern. Areas of tree planting have been planted to the east and south of the site to screen the view of the solar farm from the surrounding roads and public rights of way. Large areas of woodland planting has been undertaken to the south of the solar farm site as a separate parallel project.

The solar farm has been designed to avoid impacts upon the safety of aircraft departing and landing at the Airport. The safety glass surfaced panels are designed to maximise daylight absorption and minimise glare. A full Glint and Glare Assessment has been undertaken for the scheme to ensure it does not impact upon aviation safety.

Landscape planting, in the form of a wildflower meadow, has been planted after construction of Phase 1 of the solar farm. This was planted underneath the solar panels. The planting provides ecological enhancement to the wider area. During construction our ecologist has been on hand to manage and mitigate any interactions with protected species.

As part of the planning application, permission was granted for a solar farm to be in place on the site for 37 years. At the end of its operational life the site will be decommissioned, and all equipment will be removed.

Performance of Panels

The first phase of our solar farm project, installed in Spring 2023, saw 3MW of Solar PV switched on & successfully generating low carbon, renewable energy. The solar farm is situated to the south of the eastern end of the Airport runway, adjacent to the Main Road, Dinnington / Brunton Lane and Coach Lane junction.

Phase 1 has generated more than 25% of the site’s electricity since its install (more than 1,800,000 kWh) and can provide 100% of our electricity demand on a sunny day and. Planning permission has been granted to install an additional 13MW over 3 phases between 2022 and 2035.

In order to assist our biodiversity ambitions, areas of tree planting have been planted to the east and south of the site to screen the view of the solar farm from the surrounding roads and public rights of way. Large areas of woodland planting have been undertaken to the south of the solar farm site as a separate parallel project.

Solar Farm Phase 2

The Airport is currently preparing for the development of the second phase of the Airport Solar Farm. The second phase of the solar farm will be constructed to the east of Phase 1 and will provide an additional 4MW of generation capacity to meet the Airport’s energy demands.

The Airport anticipates that construction will begin in Spring 2024 with the second phase becoming operational before the end of the same year.

Environmental Considerations

We need to balance the need to build the solar farm against its potential impact on the environment. Environmental issues are very important to us and our environmental specialists continue to work closely with our design team to assess and mitigate the effect of the scheme on the environment.

Air Quality

The solar farm is not expected to generate emissions and will not impact upon the air quality of the surrounding local area.

Noise

Alongside air quality, the noise impacts of the scheme have been considered in the design, construction and operation. The solar farm is not expected to detrimentally impact upon the noise environment of the surrounding local area.

Natural Habitats

We have assessed the potential effects of the scheme on designated ecological sites and protected habitats and species. Ecological features nearby that may be affected by the proposals include Sites of Local Conservation Interest, a SSSI Impact Zone and a Wildlife Enhancement Corridor.

Ecological surveys have been undertaken and we have sought to minimise any impact on habitats in designing the scheme.

Landscape planting, in the form of a wildflower meadow, is set to be planted in the first planting season after construction of Phase 1 of the solar farm. This will be planted underneath the solar panels. The planting will provide ecological enhancement to the wider area. During construction our ecologist has been on hand to manage and mitigate any interactions with protected species. As part of the planning application, the Airport will deliver habitats for skylarks, native birds, and bats.

Landscape

While the solar farm is designed to be low level and unobtrusive, a key challenge has been to make sure that it fits within the landscape it forms part of. The site lies within the Green Belt and has a number of protected trees on and within its boundary. In designing the scheme, we have sought to avoid existing and protected trees and hedgerows.

The scheme is not adjacent to any residential areas and is not expected to impact upon them. The main visual impact of the scheme will be to those travelling along Main Road and local Public Rights Of Way. Tree planting has been undertaken along the boundary of the site to complement existing tree plantations in the area. This will help to screen the potential effects of the scheme on the character of the local landscape and on important viewpoints.

Cultural Heritage

While the scheme is designed to have minimal impact on the land, we are seeking to avoid areas of known heritage or archaeological interest. The solar farm is not expected to impact upon nearby historic buildings, archaeological remains or other aspects of the historic landscape.

Aviation Safety

Water Environment

The solar farm is proposed to be constructed directly on to existing green fields. When it rains, water runs from the panels directly onto the fields below. Surface water run-off is not expected to affect the local watercourses or contribute to additional flooding.

The proposed temporary road will be constructed using permeable materials and is not therefore expected to result in any requirement for additional drainage.

Construction Impacts

During construction, a management plan has been in place to ensure that all construction impacts are managed and mitigated, preventing any detrimental impacts to the wider area.