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Two ground-based solar installations in St. Mary could generate enough electricity to power nearly 1,200 Jersey homes, if they get the go-ahead.
Jersey Electricity is proposing would to install two solar arrays on La Rue d’Olive and La Rue de la Hougue Mauger.
The two ground-based solar installations would cover approximately 68 vergées and have a combined total generation capacity of 8 MWp.
Plans for Jersey’s first ground-mount solar installation in St. Clement were approved earlier this year and a second application at Sorel was recently submitted to Planning.
In total, Jersey Electricity wants to get the go-ahead for six applications for salary arrays, with the aspiration of delivering 25 MW of renewable energy, equivalent to approximately 5% of local annual demand.
It's now hoping to gain the feedback of St. Mary residents on its latest plan.
Pictured: Chris Ambler, CEO of Jersey Electricity.
Chris Ambler, CEO of Jersey Electricity, said: "In an environment of increasing energy costs, finding new ways to cost effectively diversify Jersey’s sources of electricity is becoming increasingly important, and we believe community-based ground-mounted solar photovoltaics (PV) has an important role to play.
"We hope that St. Mary parishioners will take the opportunity to learn more about ground-mount solar and come and view the site plans. Our team will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback.
"Engaging with the local community on these solar developments is important to JE and will help to shape the planning submission, so I would encourage people to come along, find out more and share their ideas."
Pictured: The site plan for the proposed solar farm at La Rue de la Hougue Mauger.
Jersey Electricity explained that, when sites are identified for potential ground-based solar installations, the teams collaborate with local ecologists and agriculturists to ensure the fields can be maintained for agricultural use and be certain that the installation will enhance existing habitats.
Ground-based solar are static and silent and are able to enhance the biodiversity of local flora and fauna, pollinators, birds and mammals. They are also temporary structures that, unlike other developments, allow fields to be completely returned back to their current state at the end of the solar array’s life.
The two St. Mary’s sites in the consultation meet strict criteria and Jersey Electricity confirmed that the land will continue to be used for farming purposes such as grazing by livestock or growing crops under the panels.
Pictured: The site plan for the proposed solar farm at La Rue d’Olive.
Mr Ambler explained: "Ground-based solar is a relatively new technology for Jersey with many benefits for the local community. We understand concerns about agricultural land being taken away, which is why we are working hard to find new innovative ways of maintaining ongoing agricultural use.
"Livestock can continue to graze, and more sensitive crops can be grown that fare better under the shade of the panels. We are proposing using bifacial panels, so any light reflected off the ground or surrounding surfaces can also be absorbed behind the panel, generating more energy with less land.
"Partnering with the community, local businesses and landowners to generate sustainable energy is a win for all Islanders and plays an important role in securing affordable and secure electricity for the long term."
Jersey Electricity’s community consultation on the proposed solar installations will be open 10:00 and 20:00 on Tuesday 11 July at St. Mary’s Parish Hall.
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