Solar energy
Sensitively sited solar energy installations can make an important contribution to reducing our carbon emissions.
Solar photovoltaic (solar PV) installations can play a part in reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change. However, they can also have impacts on the landscape and on sensitive habitats and species. These impacts can be avoided by careful siting of installations and good land and habitat management. In this way, solar energy can bring net benefits for wildlife and the countryside.
Our guidance
Our guidance will help applicants, installers and planning authorities to consider the impact on nature resulting from commercial-scale solar farms. Following the guidance will result in a consistent, proportionate level of assessment. Ultimately, however, it is the planning authority's responsibility to set out the level of assessment needed to determine the risks to the environment.
Read General pre-application and scoping advice for solar farms
Contact
Mike Shepherd
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