Kingmoor Park Properties have this week submitted a planning application for the creation of a 4-acre solar farm to be located on open farmland on the Brunthill Estate in the middle of Kingmoor Park.
Once approved over 3,000 ground mounted solar, photo voltaic panels each measuring 1.6 x 0.9m, will be installed. The 4 acre solar farm will be up and running within a period of 6 weeks providing 877,000kWh (kilo watt hours) of electricity per annum approximately equivalent to 15% of Kingmoor Park’s energy needs. Using the system will also save around 250 tonnes of C02 per year.
Neil McIntyre, Kingmoor Park’s Managing Director Said: “We have a private electricity supply at Kingmoor Park which means that most of our energy needs including the 200 businesses on site, street lighting etc comes from one supply. We have to sure that supply is consistent, as a capacity to grow and is economical. Over the next 5 years we will be implementing a range of initiatives that will enable us to reduce our need for energy from non-renewable sources.
“We are continually looking for ways to work with our tenants in devising initiatives for the site’s future and in this case, we are working very closely with solar maintenance services and North Lakes Energy to ensure that we are proving the best energy solutions for the site as a whole.”
James Mclinden, Managing Director of Solar Maintenance Services comments: “I think that this is an excellent use of land at Kinmoor Park, to create their own energy from the sun. We have been working with Kingmoor Park for two years now, managing their energy use and the solar development is part of a long term energy strategy. Kingmoor Park are keen to reduce their carbon footprint, the new solar development will be a big step forward and I am delighted that North Lakes Energy Group is working with Neil and his team on the development.“
Solar Maintenance Services look after around 50 megawatts of solar through the UK made up of other solar fields and some residential systems, these portfolios are equivalent to approximately 50 times the size of the Kingmoor Park facility. The project will be agriculturally friendly, meaning the resident sheep population of Brunthill will continue to graze undisturbed.
