We are delighted that our Chapel Lane solar farm in Dorset is now meeting the electricity needs of 60,000 homes in Bournemouth (on a summer’s day). The solar farm first opened in 2014 and is expected to run for a substantial 25 years.

The area of the farm, which is equivalent to 5,000 tennis courts or 175 football pitches, is now the largest in the UK. Our solar farm has the ability to generate 51.3 megawatts of green (low carbon) electricity with the second largest UK solar farm generating 48 megawatts.

The solar farm works by using photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight into electricity. The process is both physical and chemical and involves the crystallising of atoms in order to create an electric current.

The processes involved use a clean and sustainable energy technology, which uses the planets most widely distributed and plentiful renewable energy source – the sun.

Our Managing Director Trelawney Dampney said:

“This has been a real team effort but it shows that it is possible to create a sustainable business while also helping out the planet at the same time.”

The panels are mounted on the ground on racks at a 30 degree angle. The heights range from 2ft7ins and 9ft6ins and this ensures that the land can still be used for agriculture – particularly grazing.

Trelawney added:

“We have managed to achieve [this] at minimal disruption to our neighbours while still keeping the land for sheep grazing.

I am very proud that our vision to create a solar farm providing clean, green energy has been realised.”