Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is a new solar farm needed here in Scotland?
Scotland is committed to achieving net zero by 2045. As part of this progression towards decarbonisation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, there is a need to invest in renewable technology as part of a balanced energy mix, and make the UK an independent and self-sufficient energy producing nation.Solar is one of the cheapest sources of new electricity generation, and therefore will play a key role in improving Scotland’s energy security, while supporting the transition away from fossil fuels. Angus is also one of the sunniest places in Scotland, making it ideal for solar farms.
As Scotland strives to be a net-zero carbon economy by 2045, solar is not just an option, it is a necessity as part of a balanced energy mix. Solar is a great resource to assist in this transition as it is free and an inexhaustible resource.
Solar energy enables electricity generation without reliance on imports and is not subject to sudden price fluctuations or the uncertainty of global markets. Alongside other renewable technologies, solar is now the cheapest source of electricity generation.
What is the proposal?
The proposal is for a 49.9MW solar development at Fallaws Farm in Arbirlot, which is approximately 5km west of Arbroath. The solar farm would produce enough energy to power around 15,000 homes1. The energy generated will be connected via a new 33kV link to the Arbroath substation. You can view our submitted application layout here.
Why are you developing here?
The site has been chosen as it has good solar irradiation levels, lies outside of any statutory environmental, archaeological and landscape designations with a viable grid connection. It is also situated in one of the sunniest areas of Scotland with proximity to an available low voltage grid connection. An Alternatives Assessment has been undertaken as part of our submitted application, and can be viewed here.
What does solar offer that it is different to wind or hydro production, for example?
Solar is a free and inexhaustible resource which has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix.By producing solar energy domestically, Scotland can secure our energy market for the future and become less reliant on expensive foreign gas imports for electricity and heating.
Large-scale solar, alongside other renewable technologies, is now the cheapest form of electricity generation. Solar can be deployed quickly and delivered at lower costs than hydro, marine technologies, and nuclear.
Moreover, solar supports British farmers, as the energy provides income diversification that helps keep local farmers in business, allowing them to continue to invest locally, employ locally and farm in a sustainable manner.
How tall will the panels be?
Our application includes panels up to 3.5m in height. Further information about how this has been assessed can be viewed in the planning application documentation.
How visible will the site be for the community?
We have undertaken a Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVA) to ensure any potential effects of the project on landscape features, landscape character and visual amenity are properly assessed. Our proposal includes a number of landscaping measures to reduce potential visibility. Through public consultation feedback, our proposal evolved and we have removed infrastructure to the south of the site to also reduce potential visibility.
The site was partly selected due its location away from more populated areas like Arbroath, and because it does not have any landscape designations.
You can access a copy of the LVA here and Landscape Masterplan here.
Will any of the land remain useable for agriculture?
Bonnyknox Solar Farm is being specifically designed to be dual purpose, combining continued agricultural use through sheep grazing and renewable generation.
Do solar farms pose a risk to Scotland's food security by taking up land?
The Independent National Food Strategy Review, which looks at the entire food chain from field to fork, concluded that solar farms do not in any way pose a risk to the UK’s food security.
One of the biggest risks to food security is the changing climate and according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), climate change could reduce the UK’s stock of high-grade agricultural land by nearly three-quarters by 2050. Solar farms like Bonnyknox help towards tackling climate change and furthermore, is specifically designed to be dual purpose, enabling continued agricultural use, in the form of sheep grazing, and renewable generation.
Agricultural land covers between 56% and 70% of UK land. Solar farms in the UK currently have a combined capacity of around 14GW which makes up just under 0.1% of land in the UK. By comparison, the total land used by the UK’s golf courses is 0.5% and airports is 0.2%. The UK Energy Security Strategy commits to increase the UK’s current 14GW of solar capacity by up to 5 times by 2035.
A detailed Land Classification for Agriculture Report accompanies the planning application and shows that the area is made up of a mix of Class 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1, with most of the site being Lower Class 3.1 (50%). Soil classification can be influenced by farming practices, for example potato cultivation at this site, which alters topsoil depth and can artificially elevate land grades.
Do solar farms create any health implications for nearby residents?
Wherever electricity flows, both electric and magnetic fields exist close to the lines that carry electricity, and close to electrical appliances. The relatively low voltages in a solar farm and the fact that electric fields are easily shielded by common materials, such as plastic, metal, or soil means that there is an extremely low risk of negative health impacts from electric fields. The DC electricity produced by Solar PV panels produces 0 Hz electric and magnetic fields, AC electricity produces c. 60 Hz which is at the low-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum.
How far away will the solar panels be from residential properties?
Bonnyknox Solar Farm has been sensitively designed to reduce potential visibility for local residents through comprehensive landscaping measures. A Landscape and Visual Appraisal accompanies the planning application, can be accessed here.
During the iterative design process, a number of measures were taken to reduce potential visibility. Solar infrastructure has been removed from fields to the south of the site to reduce potential visibility as well as from some areas to the west and north-east.
Our assessment has found that the visual impact will be largely contained within the site, primarily affecting the arable fields, with moderate effects on nearby properties. However, these will gradually soften as mitigation planting matures, blending the development into the landscape. By Year 10, most visual effects will be minimal, and following decommissioning, the site will benefit from enhanced landscape features and ecological improvements.
Wider views are limited due to topography and vegetation, and local footpaths have little to no visibility of the site.
Will the Solar Farm affect the value of my property?
Queries are often raised in relation to the potential of solar farms to impact upon the value of house prices as there can be a perception that there must be a negative effect on house prices. Property value is subjective and can be affected by a range of factors. There is no firm evidence on whether solar farms do or do not affect house prices.
We are aware of residents close to other renewable energy projects, who enjoy having renewable energy projects close by and believe that they add value to their community.
Will the Solar Farm have any impact on the local water supply?
We have conducted thorough surveys to assess any potential impacts of the project on the water supply of nearby residents. The proposal includes plans to install new water pipes around the perimeter of the solar farm, replacing the current private water supplies serving two of the site neighbours. This will safeguard the water supply access for these properties, and improve the quality of the pipes by upgrading them from clay to plastic. This improvement will not only support the needs of the project but also provide long-term benefits to the surrounding community by modernising essential utilities.
Will the Solar Farm affect the gas main running through the site?
The gas main has been considered in all aspects of the design process, and we are engaging with the gas operator, National Grid, to ensure any impacts are managed.
Will road users be affected by glare from the solar panels?
Solar panels are not highly reflective surfaces as they are designed to absorb sunlight and not to reflect it. A Glint & Glare Assessment is available with the submitted planning application and takes into account potential impacts on roads, rail, residential dwellings as well as aviation.
Technical glare modelling was undertaken on nearby sensitive receptors, which found no glare towards three of the ten modelled residential receptors, while low impact glare was predicted at four. Once mitigating factors have been taken into account, the residual glare impact is low or none at all receptors, and therefore no mitigation measures beyond those contained within the planning application for the Proposed Development have been recommended.
The assessment can be viewed here.
What is the carbon payback associated with the project?
As with all manufactured products, some carbon is emitted in the manufacture of solar panels, however, research has shown that the average carbon payback period for solar panels is 1-4 years. This means that over their lifetime, typically 40 years, each panel will generate zero-carbon and zero-pollution electricity for decades after any carbon emitted in its production has been paid back.
At Bonnyknox our application includes further environmental enhancements, such as tree or hedgerow planting, which would actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. This will also contribute to the offset of any carbon emissions created when manufacturing the panels. More information can be found here.
Bonnyknox Solar Farm is estimated to save around 30,0002 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to the equivalent fossil fuel generation, every year.
Will turning farmland into a solar farm impact the site’s biodiversity?
The site of the proposed Bonnyknox Solar Farm lies outside of any ecological designations and an Ecological Appraisal has been undertaken to ensure any potential impact on the local ecology is properly assessed. This can be viewed here.
The design of the solar farm includes measures to prevent potential impacts such as a 5m buffer from all hedgerow and drainage ditches and a 5m buffer from all woodland.
Perimeter fencing for the solar farm would be in the form of deer fencing, with mammal gates to allow the free movement of small mammals. Our Landscaping Masterplan can be viewed here.
Solar farms have significant potential to enhance biodiversity, hosting a range of habitats including wildflower meadows, hedgerows, nectar-rich areas for pollinators, and woodland. A typical solar farm uses around just 5% of the total site area with the rest of the land remaining undisturbed, creating significant opportunities to provide a range of ecological benefits.
Solar panels are typically pile-driven into the ground and have a ground clearance of around 0.8 metres. This leaves all ground underneath the panels available for species rich grass and meadow planting and also are the optimum height for sheep-grazing and the use of the more efficient bifacial panels which are proposing for Bonnyknox. Only the inverters and substation require hardstandings.
How will the Solar Farm connect to the electricity network?
Our proposals include a 33kV connection to the Arbroath substation, which would be used to transport the green energy generated by the solar farm to the electricity grid.Will there be perimeter fencing and security?
Perimeter fencing will be in the form of deer fencing up to 2.4m high, usually located inside boundary vegetation, with mammal gaps to ensure the free movement of small mammals.
CCTV is a requirement for security purposes; however, cameras would be inward facing and there is no lighting proposed except security lighting at the substation compound. There will be a need for some emergency signage, but we would seek to position such signs sensitively.
Will there be a lot of noise?
Solar panels themselves do not generate noise. The main noise source associated with a solar farm will be within the inverter stations. Small fans would operate within the inverters, during daylight hours only, and should not pose any noise disturbance.
Bonnyknox Solar Farm will operate within strict noise limits to minimise any potential disruption to nearby residents. A comprehensive Acoustic Assessment has been undertaken to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, which confirms that that the noise impact resulting from the operation of the site has been assessed to be insignificant.
The assessment can be viewed here.
Shouldn't solar be on rooftops?
Rooftop solar has an important part to play in meeting net zero targets. In June 2021, Solar Energy UK, published an analysis estimating that, residential and commercial development is expected to account for nearly 37% (15GW) of the projected 2030 solar PV deployment of 40GW, with the remaining 63% (25GW) coming from large scale ground mounted solar farms.
Moreover, solar farms support British farmers, as the energy provides income diversification that helps keep local farmers in business, allowing them to continue to invest locally, employ locally and farm in a sustainable manner.
If the solar farm is consented, when would it be built?
If we are granted planning permission for the solar development, there is a period of around a year where planning conditions are discharged, detailed design undertaken, etc. Construction of the project would take around 12 months, and is dependent on the grid connection.
How will you access the site during construction?
Construction traffic would access the site off the A92 at the Salmond’s Muir junction leading onto Bonnyton Road to the site. The typical build time for a solar project of this scale is approximately 12 months.
There is typically a short period during the construction phase when there will be peak traffic movements, with vehicle movements otherwise limited to getting personnel to and from site. The traffic movements will be limited to avoid morning and evening peak times, where possible. There will also be a dedicated Community Liaison Officer to engage with local residents throughout the construction and operational phases
As part of the development of our Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) which accompanies the planning application as part of the Transport Statement, we have sought engagement with Angus Council’s Highways department, the emergency services, local community and other relevant consultees. We will continue to seek their feedback on the proposals whilst the Council considers the application.
The CTMP outlines the overall framework for managing the safe movement of construction and delivery traffic as well as itemising the expected number of traffic movements and timing restrictions, and can be viewed
here.
Will the project include battery energy storage?
During our second round of public consultation in September, we shared proposals to include hybrid battery storage units as part of the proposed development to help increase the flexibility and generation opportunities for Bonnyknox Solar Farm.Further to the feedback received during the public consultation period, and additional surveys and technical assessments, this element of the proposal was removed ahead of the submission of the planning application.
What if I wasn't able to attend either of the public exhibitions?
All of the information presented at the June public exhibition, where we presented preliminary plans for the solar farm, is still available to view here.
All of the information presented at the September public exhibition, where we presented updated plans for the solar farm, is still available to view here.
Our submitted application can be viewed here.
How will the project benefit local people?
RES is committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, local contractors and employees are used in all aspects of solar farm development. The major opportunities arise during the construction phase when suitably qualified local firms are often invited to bid for different aspects of construction. We encourage our contractors to source construction materials locally (i.e. within the county) and to use local transport and plant hire companies where possible, in addition to local services and amenities.
RES also believes that our renewable energy schemes should also provide meaningful benefits locally and we continue to invite input from the local communities on their priority aims and projects in their area which the project may be able to support whilst the proposals are considered by the Council.
- In keeping with our commitment to deliver meaningful benefits to the local area, RES were pleased to support the Pyworthy Village Hall with the installation of solar panels. In response to the cost-of-living crisis, the Pyworthy Village Hall management committee are attempting to create a warm hub in the village hall to provide a warm, safe community space for people living in a hard to heat home, if they are isolated or if they are worried about their energy bills. Due to the hall’s age and style of heating, it was not financially viable to provide the warm hub.
RES provided a donation of £15,000 and a further commitment to match-fund any money raised locally up to £7,500.00. The community duly delivered raising over £7,500 through a range of different events including coffee mornings, bingo and film evenings. These events not just raised necessary funds for the warm hub initiative but also promoted community cohesion.
The solar panels were installed early in 2024, along with an associated battery system to store any excess generation. - RES has partnered with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to support a minimum of 60 students through their Student Development Fund. Created with the aim of helping UHI’s students to further their personal development, the fund empowers them to gain new skills, raising their aspirations, whilst also helping to build their confidence. It does this by providing financial support to students to overcome barriers to participate in learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities. RES has pledged a total of £60,000 to UHI’s Student Development Fund over the course of the next three years, providing the students of UHI with the best possible opportunity to maximise their talents and future careers.
As the renewables industry continues to grow, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, the industry will require talented individuals with transferrable skills, from a variety of diverse backgrounds to enter the workforce. The growing industry will also support the wider regional economy and the jobs associated with it. The Student Development Fund, supported by RES, will therefore be open to all UHI students, studying any course, across all its campuses.
The UHI Student Development Fund has been enabling UHI’s unique student body to build new skills and expand their horizons since 2009. To date, it has helped over 650 students. The fund allows students to apply for awards (up to a value of £1,000) for support with specific aspects of their studies, which they would otherwise be unable to participate in or would struggle to access. It helps talented students overcome financial barriers to participate in learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities that support their development, increase their confidence, and raise their aspirations. - RES funded a local apprentice at Edward Mackay Contractor for up to four years. The apprenticeship is providing a young person from the local area with the opportunity to build valuable knowledge and skills on the job whilst also working towards an HNC qualification in civil engineering.
What happens when the solar farm reaches the end of its operational lifetime (40 years)?
The solar farm does not contain any permanent infrastructure and is entirely reversible at the end of its operational lifetime and the land can returned to its previous use.
Where a solar farm is installed on land which has been intensively farmed, it enables the ground underneath to recover, while providing income for the farming business. Solar farms also help regenerate soil quality, and so are helping to ensure the continued availability of high-quality agricultural acreage for future generations.
In most cases, 99% of a solar panel is recyclable, and there are well established industrial processes to do this.
A solar panel is made of a frame (typically aluminium), glass, crystalline silicon solar cells, and copper wiring, all of which can be extracted, separated, and recycled or reused. The remaining one percent is an encapsulant material which bonds the layers of a panel together.
There are organisations around the UK and Europe specialising in solar recycling, such as PV Cycle and the European Recycling Platform. They are working with solar developers to minimise electrical waste and recycle old panels in line with the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations.
What happens next?
The application has been submitted to Angus Council (Ref: 25/00339/FULM).The Pre-Application Consultation Report is available here, which outlines all of the consultation and engagement activity undertaken by RES, the feedback received from the community and stakeholders, and how RES has responded to and considered the feedback in its submitted application.
All documents submitted as part of our application can be viewed here, or on the Council's planning portal here using the reference number 25/00339/FULM. We hope a decision will be made by Angus Council at a Planning Committee, which we hope to be before the end of 2025 or early 2026.
1 This is calculated by taking the predicted annual electricity generation of the site (using an average capacity factor of 11.2%) and dividing this by the annual average electricity figures from DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, formerly BEIS) showing that the annual GB average domestic household consumption is 3,239 kWh (January 24).
2 RES uses DESNZ’s “all non-renewable fuels” emissions statistic of 424 tonnes of carbon dioxide per GWh of electricity supplied in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (July 2023) Table 5.14 (“Estimated carbon dioxide emissions from electricity supplied”) to calculate carbon reduction. Carbon reduction is calculated by multiplying the total amount of electricity generated by the solar farm per year by the number of tonnes of carbon which fossil fuels would have produced to generate the same amount of electricity.