Enough solar panels to power 1,400 homes are to be built at a new solar farm in Yorkshire, it has been announced.
The £5 million scheme will see 21,000 solar photovoltaic panels put in place at the site near the village of Ottringham in Holderness, reports The Yorkshire Post.
To be situated just off the A1033, the organisers have assured detractors that they will barely be seen from the road and sheep will graze around the site in order to prevent the grass from becoming unmanageable.
Martin Bleasby, Business Development Manager, said: "We are hoping it will be the first of many. It is going to be a landmark site which will hopefully attract more investment into the area – proof that solar photovoltaic does work this far north."
The steel frames which will house the panels will be set into concrete foundations on the agricultural land stretching for 34 acres.
If the planning permission goes through smoothly 5MW of energy could be generated at the site by as early as April 2013.
Sue Jolliffe, Coordinator for Hull Friends of the Earth, said: "On the face of it, it sounds fine – a local solution to a problem. This sort of scale is more acceptable – you need a mix of all different types of renewable energy to fill the gap."
She went on to say that such a solar farm does not disturb the environment, but helps to contribute to the energy generation which is needed by homes and businesses.
Arthur Hodgson, Councillor for South East Holderness, also expressed his support, saying that solar panels are more acceptable than wind turbines, many of which can now be seen in the area.
He said: "They are quite bland – how many times do you turn round and see panels on roofs? My only concern is the loss of good arable land."
A reduction in the rate of Feed-In Tariffs means that large scale projects are more attractive for investors.