The proposed site is located in the south of Torfaen County Borough on land north of Pentre Lane, Llantarnam, near Cwmbran. Spanning around 110 acres, the project will feature ground-mounted solar PV panels with a capacity of approximately 20MW and an energy storage facility. The project is expected to have a lifespan of 40 years and offset more than 192,000 tonnes of CO2. Annually, the solar farm will generate enough electricity to power 5,500 homes.

Physical Elements of a Solar Farm

The proposed solar farm will include the following components:

• Solar panels mounted to the ground on upright galvanised steel posts which are screwed or pushed into the ground.
• Associated infrastructure, including a primary substation, energy storage facility and underground cabling within the site.
• Permeable stone tracks to facilitate access across the site.
• Tree, hedgerow and wildflower planting, as well as the introduction of bird and bat boxes across the site to enhance biodiversity.
• Significant investment in the local area as well as the creation of permanent and temporary jobs during the construction and operation periods.
• Security measures including rural ‘timber & post’ deer fence as well as CCTV cameras inside the site to monitor the solar farm.

The solar farm will not require concrete foundations except for the substation and energy storage compound bases. It is designed to be reversible and leave no trace upon removal.