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First Big Solar Farm For UK

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Cornwall Council prepares for £1billion solar power gold rush
Cornwall Council is preparing for a solar power gold rush in the coming months as renewable energy companies put forward proposals for solar developments.

The rush to set up photo-voltaic solar power developments could lead to up to £1 billion of investment. Cornwall Council is working closely with the renewable energy companies to encourage responsible development and investment in Cornwall that will benefit the local economy.

Over 40 companies have expressed an interest in developing 'solar farms' in Cornwall and a dozen companies have indicated to the council their intention to put in planning applications. In total up to 100 planning applications are anticipated - on average each development would represent a potential investment of up to £10 million.

The first solar park in the UK has now been granted planning permission in Cornwall. Energy company 35 Degrees Limited was recently (September 16) granted planning permission for the development of a 1.55MW solar park on a 4ha site at the former Wheal Jane mine site, 4.5km southwest of Truro.

Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council cabinet member for the Economy and Regeneration, said: "These are very exciting times - Cornwall is in a fantastic position with this amazing level of interest in renewable technology.

"We need to make the most of this unique opportunity and we are working with the private sector to ensure that this huge investment brings real benefits to people in Cornwall in terms of new jobs, new infrastructure and business opportunities."

Cornwall offers the greatest opportunities in the UK for solar parks and has a history of pioneering activity in other renewable energy developments including sun, wind, sea, biomass and geothermal resources. Cornwall Council is providing important guidance to anyone considering the installation of renewable energy infrastructure.

The council has recently resolved to grant planning permission for the first geothermal power station in the UK and the first commercial wind farm was developed in Cornwall in 1991. A wave power research project, known as 'wave hub' is currently being developed off the North Cornwall coast.

Cornwall Council has backed a plan to develop its own solar park on land near Newquay Airport which would enable the council to sell electricity onto the National Grid itself.

Julian German, Cornwall Council cabinet member for Climate Change, said: "In Cornwall we are leading the way with our pioneering approach to renewable energy. There is a huge appetite for green energy and we are supremely well placed to make the most of the current opportunities.

"Through the Green Cornwall programme we are developing important links between solar farm development and the wider opportunities for Cornwall and its ambition to achieve a low carbon economy."

The Feed in Tariff (FIT) introduced by central government in April 2010 encourages small-scale clean energy production. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid. In order to optimise the financial benefits offered by the Feed in Tariff the solar power farms would need to obtain planning permission, complete construction and be connected to the electricity grid before April 2012.

In order to allow Cornwall Council to apply sufficient resources to meet the high level of planning applications the Authority has advised major developers to engage in a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) with the council. The PPA requires developers to make a financial contribution to the Authority and the Authority, in return, will utilise these funds to dedicate staff resources towards the planning proposal put forward by the developer.
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