The community solar farm project has made progress on several fronts. The final consultancy report from Locogen has been reviewed, and a final version will be shared soon, which includes assessments of potential locations and a business plan for a solar farm in a recommended 1MW to 5MW range.

The area connected from the primary transformer near Minety is currently at capacity until 2028, but an Ofgem capacity calculation is expected soon that could make capacity available almost immediately. This change will treat grid battery storage more sensibly, which could help the project.

The team is progressing on their favourite site near Field Farm Somerford Keynes, and Jon is writing to the landowner to arrange a meeting – he has already expressed interest. Jon is also talking to Thrive Renewables about planning application funding and Mike is speaking to the CDC cabinet lead for planning to find out how CDC can answer planning questions on the Field Farm location. Mainly around its location inside the Water Park and land type. Nick C will write formally once we have some guidance from Ray. 

The team will submit a free SSEN budgetary estimate request for Field Farm to find out if there are any show-stopper issues for the location and rough costs. Locogen also noted that Ofgem rules changes on 1st April such that SSEN (DNO) can no longer charge for upstream work, which could reduce costs, but might see a burst of applications

Julie H is organising a meeting with The Bathurst Estate about a potential collaboration, including one of their potential sites that is close to the 50MW solar farm near Kemble Wick on their land and partly more general collaboration.

Chris from CDC and BWCE highlighted a couple of interesting points to explore, such as a solar farm in Wiltshire granted permission with 80% commercial and 20% community energy, and a potential for a community energy solar farm near a large private wire customer in a development near the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.