Britain’s first shared solar park to be built in Devon

Shared solar is a new, affordable, and simple way for households to act on climate change and shrink their carbon footprint. From 18 April, households across Devon and Britain will be able to buy and own part of the pioneering project which is located approximately 1.2 km away from the village of Pyworthy.

Ripple is ring-fencing 10% of the ownership of Derril Water solar park exclusively for those in the surrounding area and is urging interested local households and businesses to come forward. From 18 April, individuals in the local area will be given two weeks exclusive access to buy shares from the ring-fenced portion of the project. Owners of the solar park will see savings applied to their electricity bill, based on how much electricity their share of the solar park generates. By co-owning Derril Water solar park, members will be able to power their homes with local green energy, and slash their energy bills whilst reducing their carbon footprint.

The remaining 90% of the people-powered solar park will be open to people across Britain. Ripple has already proven its model with two consumer-owned wind farms in Wales and Scotland (the UK’s first and the UK’s largest of its kind). Derril Water solar park will be Ripple’s third and most ambitious project to date and is an important milestone in its mission to make green energy ownership accessible to everyone.

RES will continue its involvement in the project, undertaking the construction and providing operational services once the solar park starts generating clean energy.

Sarak Merrick, Founder and CEO of Ripple Energy, said: “By offering consumer ownership, Derril Water solar park will become a completely different kind of solar park, one owned by the people it supplies low-cost green power to. We want Derril Water to become a blueprint for consumer-owned solar parks around the world. We want to create a wave of green energy ownership that enables people to make a real climate impact, as well as stabilising their energy bills. People from all corners of Britain will be able to co-own Derril Water solar park, and we hope as many as possible will become part of this pioneering project.”

Lucy Whitford, RES’ Managing Director – UK&I said: “Bringing Ripple on board at Derril Water offers a new way for consumers to share in the benefits of renewable energy and play a part in fighting climate change. The ability for local households and businesses to get involved connects the community directly with the project. Ripple’s model at Derril Water provides a direct way for consumers to lower their energy costs at such a critical time.”

Local benefits

Biodiversity

Increasing biodiversity and habitat creation around its renewable energy projects is central to Ripple’s approach. RES specifically designed Derril Water to ensure the solar park delivers a net biodiversity gain and ecological improvements across the site.

The site is currently predominantly arable habitats (primarily cattle-grazed improved grassland and grass leys), which are considered to be of low ecological value. Through plans created by RES, these areas will be transformed with the creation of new habitats, and planting species-rich grassland, native trees, and hedgerows around the site. In addition, bird and bat boxes, hedgehog houses, dormouse boxes, bee banks, and invertebrate hotels will be built to provide more habitat creation of key insects and pollinators which will increase the flora and fauna as a result of the development. It is anticipated that the number of habitat units will be increased by 90% and there will be an increase of 30% of existing hedgerows.

Local community

Ripple is ring-fencing 10% of Derril Water solar park for local households and businesses to buy for two weeks, so they can own and be supplied by their local solar park. In addition, the co-op will create a community benefit fund which will provide £1000/MW annually – expected to be up to £42 000/y towards good causes in the local community. Working closely with the local community, Ripple and the co-op will determine how best the fund is used. RES has committed £15 000 towards the warm hub project at the local village hall and will match funds raised locally in support of the project.

Jobs

Local contractors and employees will be used where possible during the construction of the solar park. RES has a strong track-record of delivering significant local investment and opportunities through construction. The major opportunities arise during the construction phase when local firms are invited to bid for different aspects of construction. Contractors will be encouraged to source construction materials locally (i.e. within the country) and to use local transport and plant hire companies where possible, in addition to local services and amenities.

Torridge District Council retains 100% of all the business rates due from renewable energy businesses (solar parks and wind farms) to fund vital local services for all local residents. It is estimated the Derril Water solar park will deliver approximately £162 000 in business rates annually.

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