The project
Solar PV- Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology collects and converts solar radiation directly into electricity. Ouse Valley Solar Farm would generate circa 17 MW, the equivalent to power in excess of 4,000 homes.
Inverters, transformers, storage and switching equipment would be required to change the low voltage direct current (DC) PV output to high voltage AC power for the National Grid, and allow disconnection of the solar farm for maintenance.
North of Norlington Lane, Ringmer
Indicative Solar Farm Site Outline
How It Works – The Ovesco Model
The solar farm that Ovesco is helping to build will be owned by an independent community benefit society. Local people are invited become members by investing in the solar farm. Once the farm has covered its costs and starts generating profit, the excess profit will go into a community benefit fund, which supports local projects.
Here’s more detail on how the model works:
Every solar farm is its own community company
Each Ovesco project is owned by the members of a separate, stand-alone organisation or special purpose vehicle (SPV) as a community benefit society (CBS) registered with the Finical Conduct Authority (FCA). This is required for legal and technical reasons and ensures:
- strong financial governance
- clear accountability
- the use of an asset lock to safeguard the community investors and prevent selling the project for private gain
This approach also means every project allows for locally ownership, with excess profits ring-fenced for the community it serves.
Proposed time-line
Planning
Planning permission has been granted by Lewes District Council. All relevant designs, elevations studies and reports have been submitted.
Construction
The solar farm would be built over a period of circa four months.
A stock fence and security cameras would be installed to keep people safe and to protect the solar panels from theft or vandalism.
Construction Traffic- During the four month construction phase daily deliveries would be required. A traffic management plan would be agreed with East Sussex Highways to minimise disruption during construction within the local area.
Once commissioned and operational there would be very little traffic to the site during its lifetime, which is expected to be approximately 30 years.
What Happens Next
The project is currently moving through development stages.
A community investment offer is expected to launch after the solar farm is constructed, when local residents will be invited to invest and become members in the community benefit society.
If you’d like to stay informed about progress and learn more about how to get involved, please sign up for updates below.
( “Stay Updated” button linking to Ovesco’s mailing list.)
Community Benefit
Local people are at the centre of the project
Once the solar farm is built and begins returning a surplus, the members can have a say in how profits are used.
Shareholders have equal voting rights, can be voted onto the board of directors and have a vote at an annual AGM on how the company operates. This isn’t a commercial developer. It’s your energy project.
Where the profits go
Just like other Ovesco projects, the Ouse Valley Solar Farm is expected to generate a community benefit fund, which will support local energy and environmental projects.
Community group installing bird boxes, bat boxes and swift tower at a local solar farm
Community group at a local solar farm
Benefits for Ringmer
- Locally owned renewable energy generation
- A community fund for local energy and environmental projects with priority given to Ringmer
- Improved biodiversity and soil health
- The opportunity for the local community to invest and have a say in their local energy future
Example of a Community Solar Farm
A good example is Meadow Blue Community Energy, another Ovesco-supported solar farm in West Sussex.
Meadow Blue Community Energy is majority-owned by local investors, and its profits are directed to a community fund supporting local charities, schools, and sustainability projects.
You can visit the Meadow Blue Community Energy Community Fund webpage to learn more about which projects they have supported, how much money was donated, when and what the outcomes were.
The Ouse Valley Solar Farm will follow a similar not-for-profit model: local ownership, local decision-making, and local benefit.
Environment
Visual Impact
Mitigation measures being proposed will reduce the visibility of Ouse Valley Solar Farm from outside the site. The solar farm is enclosed by tree canopies and hedging to the north. The solar farm will be visible in part from the public footpath. A landscape visual impact assessment has been undertaken and the findings will inform the final design to mitigate identified areas of impact.
Biodiversity
Hedgerows provide a species rich environment and taking the fields out of arable rotation will allow considerable biodiversity net gain over the lifetime of the solar farm. Additional hedgerow planting would be provided, and gaps filled along some of the existing boundary hedgerows to minimise visual impact and to maximise biodiversity. Bat boxes, bird boxes, bug hotels, log piles will be added within the site and along boundaries. A community meadow will be planted, and an area set aside to encourage ground nesting birds.
Archaeology
All archeologically sensitive areas will be identified, and appropriate mitigation considered within design.
Public Footpath
No public rights of way will be removed or diverted as a result of the proposal. All appropriate safety measures will be in place during construction.
Education
An education area is proposed adjoining the footpath next to a community meadow.
Flood Risk
A topography survey is being undertaken. A flood risk assessment and drainage strategy will be implemented to mitigate or avoid potential flood issues.
