Solar energy is set to win the bid to build a $100bn solar power plant in the UK’s west.
The consortium, Solar Energy UK, says the proposed site would be the world first to use solar thermal to generate electricity.
It will also build the world and the UK first 1MW solar farm on an empty site, a decision that will see the project go ahead.
“Solar power is the future of our energy needs,” said Sunpower Chief Executive Mark Wright.
“This is an exciting time to be a part of the UK solar industry, as solar PV is the most competitive form of energy in our market.” “
The new solar plant will be built at the site where the first solar thermal plant was built, near the village of Ditchley in Dorset. “
This is an exciting time to be a part of the UK solar industry, as solar PV is the most competitive form of energy in our market.”
The new solar plant will be built at the site where the first solar thermal plant was built, near the village of Ditchley in Dorset.
A joint venture between UK-based solar firm RenewableUK and the British Renewable Energy Association (BRIA), the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
The solar energy collective will also be building a solar power tower on a nearby site, and building the largest solar farm in the world in the same area.
In a joint statement, Solar UK said the new solar energy project would help the company to achieve its long-term goals of achieving 5 gigawatts of solar power capacity by 2030.
“The new project will create a world-class solar power facility with the potential of generating up to 15 GW of electricity per year,” it said.
“In the long term, we are also looking at a second-generation solar thermal facility, with the same output capacity of up to 8 GW.”
Solar energy can generate a number of benefits to the UK, as well as being a low-carbon energy source.
The UK has been investing heavily in renewable energy over the last few years, with subsidies for renewables ranging from about $30 to $70 per megawatt-hour, with some solar panels being priced between $100 and $1,000 per watt.
“I believe this is a major step in the right direction, but it is still not enough,” said Dr Mike Molloy, chief executive of Renewable UK.
“There are still many hurdles to be overcome before we can reach our renewable energy targets, and we are committed to making sure the UK has the capacity and resources to meet those targets.”
The solar power project is also likely to be controversial, with several local communities having complained about the proposed plant, claiming it would be a “green death”.
Solar energy group SunPower, which is building a similar solar power complex in New Zealand, said it was confident that the UK would get the project built, but warned that “we are still working through the environmental approvals”.
“We will be working with the local authorities to ensure they understand the impact on their local environment,” said a spokesperson.
“Once all of the environmental reviews are complete, we will commence the planning for the solar power site in the region.”
The UK’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) said it had received the firm’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) and was “reviewing it and responding accordingly”.
“The project will help the UK meet its renewable energy target of 5 gigawatt hours per year by 2030, and it will deliver a significant return to the taxpayer in the form of savings and tax relief,” a spokesperson said.
In the United States, there are more than 300 solar energy projects currently under development, with a total capacity of more than 1.4GW, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
However, solar energy is still relatively new in the US, and many are yet to be built.
The US Solar Energy Association said there are currently only three large solar projects currently being built in the country, and there are only three projects with a cumulative installed capacity of 1GW or more in the United Kingdom.
The company added that the first three projects would all be built in Somerset, and that it would work with local authorities on planning the projects.