Slag Lane can go solar

An application for a 5.85 Megawatt PV site in Westbury was approved by the planning committee on Wednesday (27th Nov).

The development will consist of an array of photovoltaic solar panels. The energy generated will be fed directly into the grid, and should be sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of some 1740 households.

Approximately 23,400 panels will be set out in rows orientated to maximise sunlight and electricity production. The arrays will be set back from hedgerows and trees to avoid shadows being cast across the panels. The structures are due to be removed after a life of 25 years.

In addition to the panels there will be inverters, which switch DC into AC current, and transformers to build up the voltage to that required by the grid. There will also be a 2m perimeter fence and security cameras. The applicants claim that sheep may safely graze amongst the panels, so it's not a loss of agricultural land.

Westbury and Heywood councils objected on the grounds of it being, they said, a blot on the landscape.

The application is one of a number of similar solar schemes coming forward in Wiltshire.