SSEN links very first solar farm using new POC-MAST tech

• The first solar site has actually been linked to the grid utilizing Scottish as well as Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution's Point of Connection Mast (POC-MAST).

Bradenstoke solar farm sits on the former RAF Lyneham base in Wiltshire, as well as was developed with the Ministry of Protection. When the 70MW solar farm initial came to be functional in 2015, it was the largest solar growth in the UK.

In January, Bluefield Solar Income Fund acquired the site for ₤ 89 million from owner Siem Industries SA subsidiary. It is operated by British Solar Renewables, which authorized a 5 year power purchase arrangement with Shell Energy in 2018.

When originally created, the solar farm was connected using a personal cable to an offtaker whilst work to attach it to the grid was carried out. SSEN has now had the ability to attach it directly onto an existing tower that currently creates part of the electricity infrastructure in the area through the busbar.

Given the location of Bradenstoke-- which rests alongside an ancient forest on a previous runway-- there were a number of difficulties around connecting the website. Thus it at first showed up that the network operator would need to create a new tower, draw away an overhead line and eliminate part of the woodland.

In looking for alternatives, SSEN called Freedom Professional Services, which established the POC-MAST option. The setup took simply 10 days, and there was no disturbance to power products required.

SSEN was delighted to be able to make use of the solution at the RAF Lyneham site stated Craig Gilroy, head of connections at the business, as it offered "a flexible and quick service to allow the connection of this significant solar farm".

" This ingenious service provides higher flexibility for eco-friendly generators to connect to the network in a fraction of the time needed to connect using existing options and also aids DNOs optimize using their infrastructure."