Deputy Steve Luce says he is open to projects to set up solar farms in the countryside to harvest the sun’s rays and
generate sustainable energy, as his department seeks alternative uses for Jersey’s land.
‘I am keen to encourage farmers to “grow” electricity by covering fields with solar panels,’ he said. ‘I have had discussions with Jersey Electricity recently and I know there are some schemes coming forward.’
He also says solar farms could be the solution to removing redundant and derelict glasshouses in the countryside, rather than these sites being developed for housing in the green zone.
‘As the sunniest place in the British Isles there are very real opportunities to make more use of solar photovoltaic panels either at the domestic level and also on a larger scale,’ he said.
The Island’s biggest producer of locally grown produce, Woodside Farms in Trinity – headed by Charlie Gallichan – invested in the Island’s first commercial solar panel array in 2012 to generate power for its processing and packing operations.
‘It has exceeded our expectations and we fully expect to be investing in more solar energy production to make the farm totally energy efficient,’ said Mr Gallichan.
Solar farms are becoming increasingly popular in the UK where they tend to be built on a large scale, with hundreds of solar panels erected on farmland.
‘I believe that there are more opportunities in the agricultural community both on shed roofs, ground-mounted arrays, or other imaginative schemes,’ Deputy Luce said.
‘While I would always need to see a full consideration of the potential environmental impacts of a particular scheme, I would welcome applications that seek to add even further value to our countryside and rural economy by generating renewable energy.’
The minister’s department has been working with the agricultural industry for two years to tap into the growing market for high-value crops as alternatives to growing potatoes in the same ground, year after year.
The aim is to improve the Island’s soil and water quality by reducing the amount of fertilisers, pesticides and weedkillers applied to the land. Trials are currently under way to grow four varieties of hemp for culinary uses and fibres for clothing, and honeyberries.
