South West landowners are being offered a chance to take a look on the bright side of life in the New Year – at seminars which will explore the opportunities and pitfalls of generating power from the sun.
The events follow a series of sell-out seminars organised by the Country Land and Business Association on photovoltaics and will bring top-level expertise to different parts of the region.
CLA South West Rural Surveyor, Graham Clark, says the technology for generating electricity from ‘photovoltaic’ solar panels has been around for some years – but, until now, with relatively modest uptake in the UK.
“What’s changed is the introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs earlier this year. These provide guaranteed payments for every unit of renewable power produced over a 25 year period and have significantly improved the economics of solar PV,” said Mr Clark.
The CLA is organising two events in response to the overwhelming popularity of the subject. The first is being held at Hartham Park, Corsham, Wiltshire, on Wednesday 12 January and the second at the Beaulieu Hotel, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, on Tuesday 18 January. Both events will bring together professional advisers who will discuss the solar PV technology and the options for landowners plus planning, financial and legal issues.
In addition, there will be opportunities for delegates to hear from and speak directly to representatives of companies who provide solar panels and others who are looking for land in the South West on which to develop ‘solar parks’
More sunlight, says Mr Clark, means more power generation – therefore solar PV is a more viable option in the sunnier south. PV also attracts higher Feed in Tariffs than the other renewable technologies - however, he warned that ‘joining rates’ start to fall in 2012 and, with potentially long lead in times to get up and running, landowners should consider their options without delay if they are to benefit.
The seminar will help people assess the most suitable option for their land or buildings, whether they should develop the project themselves and benefit directly from the power generated and from the tariff or whether they should lease land out to a solar developer.
“We will be discussing all the issues including getting planning permission and a grid connection - both significant hurdles to be cleared, but, depending on the circumstances, a solar PV project can not only reduce the exposure of a business to likely future rises in electricity prices but also become a profitable enterprise in its own right.”
Places cost £15 for CLA members and £30 non-CLA members. Details are available from the CLA on 01249 700200.
For Further information Please Contact CLA SW Communications Manager Paul Millard on 01380 830179 or 07831674345
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