BSR Chosen To Manage Pioneering Community Solar Park

BSR has been
appointed to manage Westmill Solar Park, the pioneering community-owned solar
project.

Westmill,
near Watchfield, Oxfordshire, was the first community-owned solar park in the
UK and the world's largest when it launched. The co-operative chose BSR to
manage the 5MW project following a competitive tender, and the contract began
this month, when BSR initiated a thorough review of the plant to optimise
performance.

Martin
Allman, Director at Westmill Solar Co-operative, says: "We are delighted to
have BSR working with us to maintain the excellent performance of our wonderful
solar farm. BSR have demonstrated a commitment to achieving high standards of
quality and value for money on many other solar farm sites. Their team
recognise the unique nature of our project and their passion for community
energy is clear."

The Westmill
solar farm was constructed in 2011 and taken over by the Co-operative in 2012.
More than 5,000 community groups have launched energy projects in the last five
years and many of the largest will be going to tender in the coming months.

BSR is one
of the leading providers of solar O&M services in the UK. Through a combination of hard work, technical
know-how, professionalism and transparency, their dedicated and experienced
team have been able to develop their offering to meet the requirements of both
commercial and community projects alike.

"We are
extremely passionate about driving measurable cost and efficiency benefits for
community energy. Our unique approach will go beyond business-as-usual to
ensure Westmill retains its revered industry position," says Graham Harding, MD
at BSR. "This is a flagship project for us and we're excited for the
opportunity to further demonstrate the value we are able to add to community
energy projects which are an increasingly important part of the UK energy
market."

BSR operates
and manages nearly 6% of the UK's utility-scale solar power and Westmill takes
its portfolio to 536MW across 50 solar parks.

Westmill is
an energy-cooperative, and all 1,500 members benefit from a share in project
revenues and have a say in how it is run. The solar farm saves up to 2,000
tonnes of CO2 a year by generating enough clean renewable electricity to power
two nearby villages (Watchfield and Shrivenham).