Developers Plan To Build New Solar Farms In Essex

We can’t live our modern lives without energy, yet at the same time many people are furious when developers look to build energy generators in the local area. What’s the solution?

Thurrock council recently delayed granting approval on a 46 hectare, 75,000 panel solar farm proposed by BE Renewables Ltd, saying that they first needed to evaluate more flood risk reports. They are considering rejecting the application altogether in order to preserve ‘the flat character of the marshland.’

Meanwhile, Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd are looking to build two further smaller solar farms that’ll power more than 1,500 homes near Hackmans Lane.

It’s essential that we strike the right balance between meeting our energy needs and preserving our countryside.

Why we need more solar panels in Essex

To meet our energy demand we need to produce substantial amounts of energy. Unfortunately, the production of energy through fossil fuels creates dangerous byproducts, known as greenhouse gases. Climate scientists are in unanimous agreement that we need to transition to a low-carbon economy in order to prevent the most serious effects of climate change.

As solar technology develops, it becomes much cheaper to produce solar energy. The Solar Trade Association predicts that the cost of solar energy will be lower than the price of gas energy three to five years time.

Solar panels can be a vital component of our country’s energy mix, but we have to build them somewhere.

How can we minimise the impact of solar panels?

One way to minimise the visual impact of solar panels is to put them in a place that we don’t often use or look at.

Did you know that there is a quarter of a million hectares of completely unused southward-facing space in England with no ecological value whatsoever?

I’m talking about rooftops, of course, specifically factory and warehouse rooftops.

Putting solar panels on just these roofs would go a long way toward meeting the energy needs of homes across the country.

Remember, that’s only industrial roofs we’re talking about and only the southward-facing ones. Not a single blade of grass would be trampled. That’s not to mention public buildings such as schools or hospitals, or the million homes that already have solar panels installed.

The problem is that it is more expensive to put solar panels on roofs than it is to have them freestanding in a field. This means that companies like BE Renewables Ltd will continue to look for cheaper (but greener) places to install their solar panels, and councils like Thurrock will continue to delay.

It’s up to us as a country to decide what our priorities are – then put our money where our mouth is.

We install solar panels and renewable energy technology at competitive prices in Essex and across the South East. Talk to an engineer today on: 01621 827015.

Schools in Essex Seek to PowerUp Classrooms with Solar Panels

Eastwood Primary School and Nursery in Leigh want to install solar panels to power their classrooms. But they need your help…

 

What’s the idea behind solar panels for schools?

 

Like most good ideas, it is incredibly simple:

If every family who has a child at Eastwood Primary School puts in just a couple of quid, then the school would be able to install solar panels and make MASSIVE savings on their energy bill.

Not only that, but the school will even earn an income on renewable energy generated thanks to the government’s nifty Feed-In Tariff.

They’ll be able to plough their savings straight back into education, meaning more books and computers for the kids.

Can solar panels help schools to teach children about protecting the environment?

You bet they can!

Schools are where most children learn about how they can protect the environment through recycling and energy efficiency.

But they can also be a place where children can learn about energy efficiency, sustainability and solar power. By installing solar panels and cutting their carbon footprint, schools can be an inspiration for the next generation.

Do you want to know the best part…?

You can help your child’s school to cut their energy bill

 

The schools need to raise £8,000 by the end of the summer.

That’s a lot of money for a little school, but hardly anything if the cost is shared by the community.

Eastwood Primary has signed up to Solar Schools, which is a crowdfunding platform that has already put solar panels up on more than 20 schools across the country.

The children themselves have done plenty of fundraising already – including a cake sale, writing to local businesses and dressing up as rays of sunshine.

You won’t believe how cute their promotional video is!

We install solar panels on homes, schools and businesses across Essex. Contact us today to find out more.