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A large piece of land in St. Clement could be the site for Jersey’s first ground-mounted solar farm if plans by Jersey Electricity get the go-ahead.
The utility company is looking to set up the electricity-generating panels at on fields south of Rue du Moulin à Vent.
Throughout, the site will remain in agricultural usage, initially being laid to grass for grazing.
Working with local ecologists, Jersey Electricity is proposing adding 900 new native hedgerow plants to reduce visual impact.
JEC said solar PV panels typically take up less than 15% of the site area, which should leave scope to protect and improve existing wildlife habitats and provide biodiversity gain.
It’s part of a wider plan to increase the amount of solar energy generation.
Pictured: The 12 acre proposed site is located south of Rue du Moulin à Vent, St Clement.
Jersey Electricity has so far focused on roof-based solar energy with four installations on its Power Station, Queen’s Road Solar Hub, Jersey Dairy and Woodside Farm, which generate around one million kWh (units) a year.
A planned fifth array on the roof of the Albert Bartlett potato processing plant in St Helier is set to produce a further half a million kWh a year.
Now, Jersey Electricity is turning its focus towards ground-based solar, carefully selecting sites close to grid connections.
The overall ambition is to generate 11 million kWh a year, enough to power more than 1,500 Jersey homes a year.
Pictured: The site is based along Le Moulin à Vent and JEC said it will remain in agricultural usage, with solar panels taking up less than 15% of site area.
Jersey Electricity CEO, Chris Ambler said: "Advances in solar panel technology mean that higher energy outputs can be achieved using significantly less land than previously possible.
“This greatly improves the viability of ground-mounted solar, and our aim has always been to make local renewables affordable.
"There is a desire for Jersey to be more energy independent and we believe that ground-mounted solar PV can now play an increasing and valuable role as part of Jersey’s energy mix and sovereignty."
Plans and details of the Moulin à Vent Solar Farm proposal will be available for parishioners to view and discuss with the Jersey Electricity project team on Tuesday 19th July from 10am to 6pm at Caldwell Hall (adjacent to St Clement’s Parish Church).
Pictured top: An example of a solar farm.
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