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7,500 solar panels are to be installed in two agricultural fields in St. Clement after an application for the island’s first ever ground-based solar farm was narrowly approved.
The farm - installed in fields off Rue du Moulin à Vent in St. Clement - will generate approximately 4 MW of power, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of 634 average Jersey houses or 14% of the homes in the St. Clement.
While the fields were traditionally used for growing potatoes, they will now also be used for grazing sheep.
It is the first of six applications for solar array sites being brought forward by Jersey Electricity, with the aspiration to deliver 25 MW of renewable energy, equivalent to approximately 5% of local annual demand. Approximately 30 hectares of land would be required to meet this ambition. The application site is 4.9 ha.
JE has also said that is wants to build a solar farm at Sorel.
The plans were recommended for approval by the Planning Department, which recommended a number of conditions - including ceasing operations after 40 years and ensuring the plant operates below five decibels.
The application was considered by the Planning Committee this morning and approved by three votes to two.
In favour were Deputies Steve Luce and Tom Coles and Constable Kevin Lewis. Deputies Mary Le Hegarat and Andy Howell voted against.
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