About the Project
About TEKSS
TEKSS is a renewable energy developer working in the UK energy sector. We work with landowners across the UK to assess their land potential for generating renewable energy and to develop high-quality environmentally-sensitive schemes in suitable locations. For more information please visit our website.
The Gembling site
We have recently begun assessing land to the south-east of Gembling for its potential to host a solar power scheme, alongside the potential for some battery storage.
The site is located approximately 600m south-east of Gembling and consists of 3 arable fields, comprising circa 118 acres. As detailed assessments provide us with further data over the coming months on environmental and technical constraints and required buffers, and as we incorporate consultation feedback, the extent of the developable area is expected to evolve and may reduce.
© Google Maps 2022
The site could host in the region of up to 40MW of solar PV panels. Further studies will need to be carried out to establish the exact size and design of the scheme.
Why this particular site
This site has been selected for the following reasons:
- It presents a significant opportunity to generate a substantial amount of solar energy with minimal visual impact. The site is expected to host an installed capacity of up to 40 megawatts (MW), which could generate enough clean electricity to power over 14,500 homes on an annual basis.
- The selected fields are generally well screened and have existing hedgerows along most of their boundaries. The hedgerows can be managed and enhanced to an appropriate height to screen the site further. Additional planting can also be added to the site to minimise visual impact in the immediate vicinity.
- A scheme of this size could save around 8,800 tonnes of CO2 annually.
- The site may be suitable for hosting complementary battery storage.
- There is a viable grid connection to the local 66kV network.
- The project presents an opportunity to bring net gains for local biodiversity and ecology by creating additional habitat for local plant and animal species.
Wider area
The Gembling site lies adjacent to the 30MW Lissett Wind Farm. Introducing a well-screened ground-mounted solar PV proposal at Gembling will effectively create a local hub of renewable electricity generation, with the electricity connecting to the local grid network.
The project will assist in the UK’s efforts to mitigate against climate change and to increase the UK’s energy security through decentralised and local energy generation.
Environmental sustainability
The potential site identified at Gembling can make a significant contribution to renewable energy and carbon emission targets, by generating enough green electricity every year to power over 14,500 homes.
Ground-mounted solar PV technology brings with it a significant ecological net benefit to the site on which it is installed. These benefits include:
- The land used for the scheme will be taken out of the monoculture of arable crop production for up to four decades and reseeded with a wildflower mix, thus creating a wildflower meadow under the panels; this is not only a substantial benefit to a variety of wildlife, but also improves soil quality.
- Existing valuable habitat, such as woodland and hedgerows, is retained as part of the scheme and further enhanced with additional planting (which has the added benefit of screening the site visually).
- Additional habitat, with supplementary features and ecological enhancements, such as the introduction of onsite beehives and hibernacula for small mammals and reptiles, can be included within the scheme.
Site location