Planning permission for the ‘Installation of ground mounted solar panel array with associated works’ was granted by Argyll & Bute Council (14/02511/PP) on 12 December 2014.
The array will consist of up to 980 photovoltaic panels situated in the south-facing and south-sloping field beneath the cottage. On-farm solar energy generation could provide as much as 7% of the UK’s energy needs.
A Grid Connection Offer was made by Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc on 7 January 2015 and this was accepted on 13 January 2015.
It is expected that electrical connection works will be completed during Summer 2016 to coincide with installation and energisation of the panels.
Having tried, but failed, to secure planning permission for renewable wind energy generation we are delighted to be able to generate solar renewable energy at Ascog Farm.
[UPDATE 22.07.2015] Following the Tory Government’s decision to significantly reduce solar FiTs we have had to postpone this project as well! Once the solar industry recovers from this blow, and/or panel prices fall so the economics work without any subsidy, we may revisit this scheme once again.