General

1. Where are the solar panels and batteries proposed within the site boundary?

The Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park is located adjacent to the existing Wootton substation.

Land to the north of the road is the least preferred from an operational farming perspective and thus we have focussed the solar panel development in this area.

The batteries and substation are proposed to be in a portion of one field (immediately east of the existing substation), at the southern extent of our Indicative Application Boundary.

Plans on this website, and that were shown at our public exhibitions, identify the locations of the solar panels, battery units and substation.

2. Is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being prepared for the application?

In February 2022, we submitted a request for an EIA Screening Opinion to the Isle of Wight Council (IOWC).  In March 2022, the IOWC responded confirming that an EIA was not required for the Proposed Development.

Notwithstanding this, a comprehensive suite of environmental assessments have been prepared and were submitted as part of the application. 

3. Could the development affect property prices?

New development, of any kind in any location, can cause local interest.  However property value is subjective and can be affected by a range of factors. There is no firm evidence on whether UK solar farms do or do not affect house prices in the long term.  

Potential impact on local properties, in terms of noise, visibility and glint and glare, have been assessed as part of the preparation of this planning application and we are proposing peripheral screening hedging as part of the Proposed Development.

We are proposing a community benefit fund, part of which could be utilised to conduct energy audits of local properties (with the effect of reducing energy demand and thus energy bills), or a rebate to local properties.

Access & Construction

1. Would there be disruption along Whiterails Road during construction?

As with any new development, there would be a temporary construction period that would require construction vehicles to utilise the local road network.  During the temporary construction process, construction traffic would be managed using standard industry management techniques to reduce impacts where possible.  During operation, solar farms generate minimal traffic (through routine maintenance) which is often not noticeable on the road network.

We are liaising with Island Roads on the Proposed Development.

2. Would Park Road be used during the construction process?

The potential use of Park Road was raised during our public exhibitions.  We commit to not routing Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) along Park Road during the temporary construction process.  Park road has weight and size restrictions in place.

3. How many construction vehicles would there be?

If delivery vehicles were averaged out across the 6 month construction process, there would be approximately 4 ‘two way’ Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) movements per day – equating to 8 daily movements. 

4. How much concrete is being used in the construction?

Solar panels do not require concrete foundations unless in very special circumstances, such as in very small areas in proximity to the buried gas pipelines through the site.  Some concrete is required for foundations at the new substation, but this is very localised. 

5. What does solar panel construction involve?

 Firstly access tracks would be built through the site (likely made of crushed stone, which would be left to grass over with time), after which the supporting frames are pushed into the ground.  The solar panels themselves would then be bolted on to the frames, connected up by underground wiring and the site then secured with deer fencing.

Firstly access tracks would be built through the site (likely made of crushed stone, which would be left to grass over with time), after which the supporting frames are pushed into the ground.  The solar panels themselves would then be bolted on to the frames, connected up by underground wiring and the site then secured with deer fencing.

6. Where would the solar panels be manufactured?

There has been some media attention about the development of solar panels in certain countries, however more and more panels are now being manufactured in countries like Germany, America and Canada.  A commercial decision would be made as to the source of the panels for the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park if planning permission is granted.  Ridge Clean Energy is not tied to any particular manufacturer.

Agricultural land/Land Use

1. Our farmland needs to be protected from development.

The UK needs to not only decarbonise its energy mix, but also boost its domestic energy security which means developments like the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park are really important. 

The Proposed Development would not remove land currently used to produce crops for human consumption.  In fact, it would diversify and secure the future of a strategically important Island dairy farm.

At the end of the operational period, the landowner would be free to farm the land once again, on better agricultural land with a higher organic carbon content having secured the diversification of their farming practice for generations to come.

2. How are we treating the land below and between the solar panels?

Land between and under the panels would be sown with a wildflower seed mix and left fallow to become a biodiverse rich habitat which would increase in organic carbon content over the lifetime of the project. 

3. Are we proposing to develop on high or low agricultural land?

The quality of agricultural land in the UK ranges from 1 (being the best) to 5 (being the worst).  Land at the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park is ‘Grade 3B’ which is not classified as ‘best and most versatile’.

4. Would the development compact soil?

The operational site is very likely trafficked with occasional maintenance by light road vehicles and therefore land is not compacted. 

5. What makes this land better for a solar farm than other land in the area?

The site was identified for potential by the Ridge Clean Energy team due to its proximity to the existing Wootton substation, giving us access to (currently) the remaining Island Local Distribution Network capacity.

Operational Period

1. How high would the solar panels be?

The solar panels would range from 90cm at their lowest point, to up to 3m at their highest point.

2. Why is the operational period 35-40 years?

Placing a backstop date on any permission allows the Isle of Wight Council to maintain control over any non-agricultural use of the land.  In addition, technology in general could look very different in 35-40 years time, so it’s only right that the land isn’t left for solar generation in perpetuity.

3. What options are there once the operational period expires?

If planning consent is granted, it would be accompanied by a set of planning conditions one of which would stipulate that the development must be decommissioned.  After this time, the landowner would be free to return the land to agricultural use.  If anything else were to happen to the land, it would require a new planning permission at that point in time.

4. How often do solar panels, or battery units need to be replaced in this period?

Solar panels are robust and would generally last for the operational period of the development.  The battery units would likely be replaced every decade.

5. If more advanced solar technology comes along in that period, would you consider swapping out the equipment?

One of the planning conditions accompanying any planning permission would likely set the dimensions and overall heights of the development.  If new technology becomes available during the operational period, and it fits within the stipulated dimensions from the initial planning permission, yes we could consider using the new technology if it would improve the amount of electricity generation on the site and be cost effective to do so.

6. What happens if RCE goes into receivership?

One of Ridge Clean Energy’s main owners also owns one of the largest privately held companies in the US, with an annual turnover of more than $2 Billion.  Ridge, therefore, has access to more than enough funding required to develop the project.  Additionally, the project will be held in a separate special purpose vehicle.  However unlikely, if something did happen to Ridge, the project would be a valuable asset that, once built, would continue to generate and sell electricity and therefore, would be financially viable.  Operation of the project would comply with the planning conditions, for example, relating to the environmental management and decommissioning of the site.

7. Would power from the solar farm provide a direct supply of energy to the community?

The electricity generated by the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park would feed directly into the local electricity distribution network.  There may be times when this electricity is distributed to the local area, or it may be used more widely.  However, there would not be a direct connection from the site to the local community.

Battery Storage

1. Are there any hazardous materials associated with the proposed battery units?

The battery storage containers are sealed units with appropriate prevention measures in place to prevent, and if necessary contain, any leaks.  They would also be placed on hardstandings to act as another barrier to reduce the possibility of any leakages. 

2. How does battery storage work?

The battery units are charged when the solar park is producing more electricity than it is allowed to export; this energy is then released to the local electrical distribution network during times of high demand to smooth the output from the solar development.  The batteries can also import electricity from the local electrical distribution network when there is excess electricity, again releasing it during times of high demand.

3. What are batteries made out of?

The batteries proposed at the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park would likely be lithium ion batteries.

4. Is it typical for solar farms to now include battery storage units?

Yes, this is a common practice which assists in smoothing the output from the solar park as well as the electricity grid.  Battery storage projects are now common developments in their own right.  They can also provide services such as frequency and voltage control, which is useful for the grid.

Recycling

1. Can solar panels be recycled?

More than 90% of each solar panel can be recycled, returning the valuable component parts back into the circular economy.

Environmental

1. Would ecology be negatively affected by the development?

No - solar panels work really well with local ecology.  The stock fencing has a gap which allows small mammals to enter the site, which becomes a secure wildlife haven.  We are proposing to enhance the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park to result in a net gain in biodiversity by sowing wildflower mix (chosen specifically to compliment the local ecology) between the panels as well as enhancing and planting new hedgerows and trees.  The Proposed Development, and the landscape and ecological enhancement work is being designed by our Island based landscape architect and ecologist. 

2. Who would be responsible for managing areas of ecological enhancement?

The site operator would be responsible for the management and maintenance of these areas, rather than the local community. 

3. Will the solar farm negatively impact the local hydrological regime, or Palmer's Brook?

The Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park would not remove or reduce flood water storage capacity in the area.  Additionally, whilst solar panels themselves are impermeable, rain water is free to drop through the panels within each array onto the ground beneath.  Land within the site would be enhanced with new and improved hedge and tree planting, as well as a wildflower seed mix.  Therefore, there would be more vegetation to intercept surface water flow than current exists. 

The operational site is very lightly trafficked with occasional maintenance by light road vehicles and therefore land is not compacted. 

4. What will noise levels be from the development?

Solar panels themselves do not generate noise.  The inverters and battery ventilation fans can produce sound, however we are seeking to design the scheme to reduce impacts.   We have submitted a noise assessment as part of our application for planning permission.

5. Why are non-native species being proposed along Whiterails Road?

The enhancement proposals for the scheme include new and enhanced native planting along the southern and eastern boundaries of the site, as well as within the site itself.  However, this planting would take some time to mature as a visual screen.  Therefore, we are proposing to temporarily plant 2m tall Laurel hedging along the southern and eastern boundaries of the scheme to act as a visual screen during the construction and early operational phases.  Overtime, as the new and existing native planting matures, the non-native Laurel hedge would be managed back and, if necessary, removed.

Whilst it is accepted Laurels are not native, they have been chosen for their excellent visual screening qualities.

6. What is the carbon pay back time for solar panels?

A solar farm will pay back its ‘carbon debt’ within anywhere between 2 and 6 years (depending on the site). The lifetime of the Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park is proposed to be 40 years.

Consultation

1. Who was invited to our public exhibitions, held on 3rd and 4th May?

We wrote to registered addresses within 1km of our Indicative Application Boundary, amounting to 564 letters which were posted to arrive in mid-April 2022.

In advance of the exhibitions, we were made aware that some properties along Park Road had not received the invitation, despite them having been on our mailing list.  Accordingly, we hand delivered additional exhibition invitations to properties along Whiterails Road and those facing the site along Park Road.

2. When will your planning application be submitted to the Isle of White Council?

We submitted our planning application in early October 2022. At this time we wrote to residents in the local community to inform them of the changes made to the application since our public exhibitions. We also advertised the submission in Island media.