News: UK’s first unsubsidised large-scale solar park on track

A 15 MW solar PV system at Westcott business park is on track to becoming what has been described as the U.K.’s first unsubsidized C&I PV system.

According to a statement released today by business park owner, Rockspring, and EPC and O&M contractor, BSR Group, Westcott business park, located near Oxford, is set to host the U.K.’s first unsubsidized commercial & industrial (C&I) scale solar system.

Construction on the 15 MW project is expected to start this fall, with operations scheduled for next Spring. When complete, it will primarily generate electricity for the 76 businesses and 600 employees operating in the park, under a PPA that has been brokered with Rockspring. Excess energy will be fed back into the grid via a 33kV connection.

Philip Wolfe, founder of solar park asset manager, Wolfeware, said, “This project demonstrates that, even in the UK, solar power continues to close in on ‘grid parity’; the level at which it competes with traditional electricity generation. BSR makes such a project not only viable but attractive through offering quality services and innovative design solutions.”

Managing Director of BSR Group, Graham Harding added, “Unsubsidised solar is still in the early stages of development, but our integrated delivery model gives us a head-start in delivering this and future projects.”

Westcott business park installed a 1.6 MW subsidized solar park in 2011. Since then, it has reportedly generated 11 GWh. The new installation is expected to increase production to 14.5GWh/year.

Source: Energyzine