Council firms up proposals for Solar Farm site

South Ayrshire Council is considering potential locations to decide which one could become the site of a new Council operated solar farm.

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The sites at Glenburn Bing adjacent to Prestwick Airport,Cockhill near Ayr Hospital and Greenan shore have already been considered. Further work to determine suitability will be undertaken on these sites.

A key factor in determining the appropriate location is proximity to potential energy users, as this would allow us to sell energy to either local commercial or large-scale users or the national grid.

Proceeds from the solar farm would be used to protect and enhance public services.

Councillor Chris Cullen, Economic Development Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: "We're living in financially challenging times, and many councils are looking at different ways to generate income to protect vital services.

"Solar farms are already being used by other Local Authorities; North Ayrshire Council for example operate a solar farm and are looking to set up another one.

"While we can't sell the energy produced directly to residents due to the massive licensing costs, we can sell to commercial premises, public bodies or back to the national grid."

Councillor Martin Kilbride, Buildings, Housing and Environment Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: "Green energy is important and key to lowering overall energy costs, increasing productivity, and meeting sustainable energy targets.

"The Council has been in discussion with several commercial operators who are keen to use green energy generated by the solar farm

"Once the correct site is identified, the solar farm could be operational in around two years."

The Council is being supported through the feasibility work by the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE). APSE is a non-profit distributing organisation owned by local authorities in the UK. It provides services to local authorities, and these include consultancy on climate change and renewable energy.

APSE was involved in the first three solar farm projects in the UK. Since then, it has advised on over 60 local authority solar farm projects in England, Wales and Scotland. APSE is able to bring a wide experience of civic solar farm development to the Council's programme.

The next steps will be to undertake a detailed phase two feasibility study and establish the viability of each of the sites.

Visit the website to find out more south-ayrshire.gov.uk/solar-farm-development