45-Hectare Solar Farm: Powering Somerset Towards Net Zero

• Pathfinder Clean Energy plans to build a 45.48-hectare solar farm outside the village of Paulton in Somerset. Generating 26 megawatts of power, it will provide 10% of the 300MW needed to reach net zero in Bath and North East Somerset. Grazing sheep are welcome under the solar panels, and battery storage will store energy for peak times. A planning application is yet to be submitted.

Pathfinder Clean Energy plans to build a 45.48-hectare solar farm outside the village of Paulton in Somerset. The solar farm would generate 26 megawatts of power and provide 10% of the 300MW needed to achieve net zero in Bath and North East Somerset. The farm will be installed across 13 fields and sheep are intended to be allowed to graze under the solar panels. Battery storage on the site will enable the generated energy to be stored and fed into the National Grid at peak times. A planning application has not yet been submitted to the council but when it is, more information will be available and the public will be able to comment.

What Potential Does the Paulton Solar Farm Have?

• The solar farm could provide enough energy to power around 8,500 local homes.
• The solar panels will be arranged in a way that allows sheep to continue to graze in the fields.
• The battery storage will allow energy to be stored during periods of low demand and used during peak demand times.
• The solar farm will reduce carbon emissions by 26,000 tonnes per year.
• The project is expected to create local jobs and boost local businesses.
• The project will contribute to the UK’s renewable energy targets by producing clean, sustainable energy.
• The solar farm will also help to reduce the cost of energy for local households.