Suncoast Solar Farm
Low Carbon will be constructing a new solar farm, known as Suncoast Solar Farm, located on land west and east of the East Coastway Line, Eastbourne. The project will generate approximately 20 Megawatts (MW), producing enough clean energy to power 6,400 typical family homes each year.
Contact us:
Email: info@suncoastsolarfarm.co.uk
Welcome to
Suncoast Solar Farm
Low Carbon is bringing forward a new renewable energy project along with the infrastructure needed to export the electricity it generates to the local network operator, UKPN (Eastern).
Suncoast Solar Farm, located on land west and east of the East Coastway Line, will generate approximately 20 megawatts (MW), producing enough clean renewable energy to cover the annual electrical consumption of approximately 6,400 typical family homes each year. The 5MW battery facility will reinforce the power generated by the solar farm and provide balancing services to maintain grid stability.
Suncoast Solar Farm is proposed for a period of 40 years, after which the modules would be decommissioned and removed from the land and as many items will be recycled or re-purposed as possible.
Why are we doing this?
Eastbourne is one of the sunniest places in England and is a great location for a solar farm.
We need to reduce our reliance on foreign fossil fuels to fight climate change and the cost-of-living crisis. In April 2022 the Government’s British Energy Security Strategy set an ambition to increase the UK’s solar capacity from 14GW to 70GW by 2035. National Grid also estimates that this will require a twelve-fold increase in storage capacity by 2050.
In November 2020 Eastbourne District Council declared a Climate Emergency, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Construction information
The site
The project is situated on land west and east of the East Coastway Line and extends to approximately 25 hectares (62 acres) of agricultural pastureland.
Biodiversity
In addition to having solar panels on the site, the proposal also includes biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures.
Sheep grazing
Sheep may also be grazed underneath the solar panels once operational, thereby offering dual use for the land.
Construction information
The proposed construction route will access the eastern site using a temporary bridge over the Lottbridge Sewer and via Tutts Barn Lane for the western side. Construction of the project is estimated to take 12-18 weeks.
Point of connection
The electricity generated by the solar panels will connect into the local distribution network operator via an existing pylon on the eastern boundary of the site.
Timeline
- July 2023
EIA Screening
- September - October 2023
Community Consultation
- November / December 2023
Potential planning application submission to Eastbourne Borough Council
- Winter 2023/24
Borough Council will consider and determine the application
- Summer 2025
Earliest commencement of construction (if planning permission is granted)
Additional Information
We have now submitted a full planning application to Eastbourne Borough Council (application reference number: 230800). Please find the link here: https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/article/2087/?RefType=APPPlanCase&KeyText=230800
Benefits
Across our UK-wide portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Across all our solar parks we work with landowners and developers to implement comprehensive land and biodiversity management programmes. Each aligns with the conditions and circumstances unique to its site. Yet while we are pledged to protecting existing flora and fauna, most parks benefit still more from the introduction of extensive new planting and husbandry measures.
As sites mature, ongoing development will realise an increasing diversity of habitats and species: from meadows, hedgerows, wildflowers and woodland to sheep, bees, birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Biodiversity
It is important that the site is improved for nature and shows a biodiversity net gain, thus helping to protect and improve new and existing habitats whilst allowing the land to recover from a monocultural environment. We are thereby creating a species rich haven for wildlife.
Planning conditions tend to require both a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and a Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plan (LBMP) to be submitted for approval. The former deals with the construction process measures whilst the latter deals with post-construction measures and those throughout the operation of the project.
Beehives
We encourage the siting of beehives within the solar farm, which not only helps to pollinate nearby crops and plants but provides a secure environment with readily available food sources. The hives are tended by trained local beekeepers to ensure the health and welfare of the bees.
Sheep
At our solar sites, Low Carbon is committed to working in partnership with local landowners to provide where possible a unique and innovative space for them to graze their sheep amongst the solar panels.
Grazing sheep at our sites has proved to be hugely popular amongst our landlords for several reasons, notably because the sites are secure which means the sheep are safe and the solar modules provide shelter from the winds and shade from the sun and rain.
Public Right of Way (PROW)
Land to be safeguarded for a possible new pedestrian/cycle link and financial contribution towards delivering this.
Planting
Our sites are designed around existing hedgerows and trees. We look
to enhance the site with additional planting of native species of hedgerows, trees, pasture-mix grasses and wildflowers.Community Fund
A community fund will be established to invest in local projects and initiatives.
FAQs
Low Carbon is the developer of this project and we will use the information gathered at the end of the consultation period to advise on the development of the proposed solar farm.
Here is a selection of questions that have been asked relating to solar farm installations/builds.
Why Solar and Batteries?
The Climate Emergency, the cost of living crisis and the energy crunch are all linked by how we generate, use and supply energy. We urgently need to generate energy from new, low cost, low carbon sources and solar is the lowest cost and quickest to deploy of all energy sources (IRENA, 2022).
Solar is already making a difference, for example between June and August this year, solar often provided up to 25% of UK daytime electricity (National Grid ESO carbon app). The Government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022) proposed a five-fold increase in solar by 2035. This can only be achieved by deploying solar on both land and buildings.
Battery storage technologies play a pivotal role in seamlessly integrating renewable energy generation, such as solar power, into the existing grid network.
Why here?
Low Carbon has carefully identified this site as part of a detailed feasibility process to deliver a large-scale clean energy scheme. Many factors are considered by our specialists when evaluating appropriate sites for development. These include considering the available grid locally as well as various planning and environmental constraints.
Solar offers a low cost, safe and low carbon way of delivering clean power to meet this target as well as reduce the levels of carbon dioxide that are being emitted into the atmosphere by replacing electricity generation from fossil fuels.
Are there any health risks associated with being in close proximity to solar panels and energy storage facilities?
Solar panel arrays do emit electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the same extremely low frequency ranges as electrical appliances and wiring found in most houses and buildings.
The average daily background exposure to magnetic fields is estimated to be around one mG (milligauss – the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), but can vary considerably depending on a person’s exposure to EMF from household electrical devices and wiring.
The lowest exposure level that has been potentially associated with a health effect is three mG. Measurements at three commercial PV arrays in Massachusetts demonstrated that their contributions to off-site EMF exposures were low (less than 0.5 mG at the site boundary), which is consistent with the drop off of EMF strength based on distance from the source (2015, Clean Energy Results).
Will Suncoast Solar Farm use land that could be used from growing crops for food production?
There is always a balance to be found when new development comes forward, with many factors and impacts to consider. Due to its proposed location, Suncoast Solar Farm will potentially utilise land that could be used for agricultural production. However, the land take involved is minimal in the context of food production across Eastbourne and allows clean energy to be generated at greater scale and efficiency than rooftop alternatives.
Will the solar farm cause any glint and glare?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light and not to reflect it. They pose little risk of glint or glare. Testament to this fact is the installation of solar panels at Gatwick Airport, alongside major roads and beside sports car raceways such as the ‘Top Gear’ test track.
Will the solar farm change the land classification?
No, solar panels have no moving parts and emit no sound. Inverters and transformers can emit very low level sound, but these are sited away from houses and cannot be heard from more than a few metres away.
How will this solar farm help energy security in the Borough?
Eastbourne Borough Council currently has 6MW capacity of renewables, which meets only 0.4% of the energy demands of the Borough. To meet their self-set targets of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, Eastbourne Borough Council drastically need to increase their renewable electricity generating capabilities. If approved, Suncoast Solar Farm would add another 20MW of renewable energy capacity - producing enough clean energy to power approximately 6,400 homes every year.
Are solar farms a threat to food security?
The UK Food Security Report (2021) found that “the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures such as soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”.
Solar farms currently account for 0.08% of total land use in the UK (Solar Energy UK 2022). The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space used by golf courses.
Are batteries safe?
Large-scale battery installation in the UK must comply with health and safety regulations, both for installation and operation.
They typically use Lithium-Ion Batteries, which are the same type of batteries as are used safely in mobile phones, laptops and electric vehicles every day all over the world.
Will the solar farm harm wildlife?
There is no evidence that solar farms have a negative impact on wildlife. In fact, wildlife thrives within the sites when managed sensitively.
How will this solar farm directly benefit my community?
We will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment.
Are solar farms noisy?
No, solar panels have no moving parts and emit no sound. Inverters and transformers can emit very low level sound, but these are sited away from houses and cannot be heard from more than a few metres away.
Key documents
In this section, you will find key information about the project which you able to download and view or print at home.