For how long will the development be operational?
The development is expected to be operational for 30-40 years. After this, all infrastructure will be removed, and the site will be restored to its original condition.
Will the solar panels move?
The solar panels are fixed in place via piled frames and will not move. The lack of moving parts reduces the level of maintenance required throughout the lifespan of the development.
Will the equipment be protected?
There will be security fencing around the site boundary for health and safety reasons.
What maintenance is involved?
Solar farms and battery energy storage facilities require minimal maintenance once constructed. Standard maintenance operations for solar farms include cleaning the solar panels and landscaping. For battery storage facilities, there would be routine cleaning of the system, replacing of worn or damaged components, and capacity tests on the batteries to ensure their continued efficient storage capabilities.
Visits will be undertaken throughout the year for general maintenance. All workers shall access the site in standard 4x4s, small vans, or cars, resulting in negligible effects on local traffic.
Is solar or battery storage equipment noisy?
Solar panels don't generate noise; however, the inverters, transformers and battery storage equipment do generate some noise during periods of operation. A baseline noise survey will be undertaken to identify and mitigate any potential effects in the surrounding area.
Will the project affect biodiversity?
Qair undertake robust ecological surveys across various seasons to ensure there is a detailed understanding of the site's flora and fauna. This allows for the preparation of measures to enhance the biodiversity within the site, resulting in a Biodiversity Net Gain.
Can the panels be recycled?
Most of the materials are fully recycled. They are part of the Government's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) scheme which requires producers to finance the collection, treatment and recovery of WEEE.