Lightsource Takes Local Residents on Guided Tour of Dorset Solar Farm as Part of Nationwide Solar Independence Day

Lightsource Renewable Energy invited visitors for a very special behind-the-scenes look at look at Manor Farm solar farm, in Dorset, as part of the Solar Independence Day celebrations.

Visitors of all ages and from all walks of life – from school children and wildlife groups to farmers and local politicians – were given guided tours of the park to see first-hand the benefits of solar energy.

Once a solar farm is installed, members of the public rarely get a chance to step foot inside the gates, but the event gave people a chance to get a better understanding of how a solar farm works, the impact on the land and improvements to biodiversity that can be made.

Installed in just six weeks, the 25-acre solar farm solar farm is now capable of providing locally-sourced, renewable energy to 1,400 homes – roughly a third of the homes found in nearby Gillingham.

Lightsource has put into action a planting and landscape plan at Manor Farm, which provides numerous benefits to local biodiversity. The planting of new trees and shrubs around the site provides foraging habitats for local wildlife, while the new wild-flower meadow mix will offer a favourable environment to flying insects including bees, butterflies and dragonflies. Since its installation, the landowner has also reported an increase in the numbers of hares, raptors and hawks – a strong sign that wildlife is flourishing on site.

Manor Farm was one of many solar farms, homes and commercial installations to open up to the public as part of Solar Independence Day, which also gave the public an insight into why “energy independence” in the UK is so important. Solar power can play a vital role in achieving this goal by reducing the UK dependence on importing polluting fossil fuels, in favour of generating clean “home-grown” energy.

Nick Boyle, CEO at Lightsource, said: “We relish opportunities to give the public a greater insight into what solar energy is all about. On top of providing a source of clean, renewable energy, solar installations offer far reaching benefits for local communities with improvements to local biodiversity and by supporting agricultural businesses. The Manor Farm is a great example of the positive effects a solar farm can have on an area. ”