FAQs

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There is no evidence that solar farms have a negative impact on wildlife. In fact, wildlife thrives within the sites when managed sensitively.

We will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment.

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.