THE Island’s first ground-mounted solar farm could be installed in St Clement if plans announced by Jersey Electricity go ahead.
Land south of Rue du Moulin à Vent is being earmarked as part of a wider scheme to develop ground-based solar projects on sites close to grid connections, and could be used to power an estimated 600 homes.
The utility company has already completed roof-based solar installations in several locations, including the power station, the Queen’s Road solar hub, Jersey Dairy and Woodside Farms. A fifth array is also being added to the roof of the Albert Bartlett potato-processing plant in St Helier.
JE chief executive Chris Ambler said: ‘Advances in solar-panel technology mean that higher energy outputs can be achieved using significantly less land than previously possible. This greatly improves the viability of ground-mounted solar, and our aim has always been to make local renewables affordable.
‘There is a desire for Jersey to be more energy independent and we believe that ground-mounted solar PV can now play an increasing and valuable role as part of Jersey’s energy mix and sovereignty.’
JE are also exploring ways to keep the 12-acre site in agricultural use – with activities such as sheep grazing – and are working with local ecologists on proposals for additional planting, including more than 900 new native hedgerow plants.
The company has said the solar PV panels ‘typically take up less than 15% of the site area’, leaving scope to protect existing wildlife habitats and improve biodiversity.
The plans will be available for parishioners to view and discuss with the JE project team on Tuesday 19 July from 10am to 6pm at Caldwell Hall, adjacent to St Clement’s Parish Church.
