FAQs

Welsh Government has acknowledged that there is a climate emergency and has committed to decarbonising and tackling the causes of climate change over the coming years. Generating renewable energy is a key part of that commitment and Welsh Government has set ambitious targets for the generation of renewable energy, including for 100% of electricity consumption to be generated from renewable energy by 2035.

Solar farms are a simple and established technology providing a source of safe and clean energy which produces zero emissions when in operation.

These projects have a low visual impact potential if designed correctly, have no moving parts, meaning maintenance requirements are low through the lifetime of the project, and are considered ‘temporary’ as they are easily decommissioned at the end of their lifetime.

Biodiversity enhancements, and ongoing agricultural use of the land (animals such as sheep can continue to graze the land around the solar panels) means that this technology can easily operate alongside traditional land uses.

The proposed development comprises a ground mounted solar farm together with associated
equipment and infrastructure likely to consist of:

• Photovoltaic (PV) arrays, based on a simple metal framework and placed into the ground, eliminate the need for substantial foundations. These arrays typically have a maximum height of 3m.
• A series of inverters.
• A number of transformer and switchgear substations.
• A Customer Substation building and DNO Substation building
• Boundary fencing (very similar to deer fencing) around the edge of the site, with gates for access.
• An inward facing CCTV system located at strategic points around the site.
• Associated access tracks and cabling connecting transformer and switchgear substations.
• Storage container(s) for spare parts and for relevant communications and monitoring equipment.

For proposed projects such as Treoes Vale Solar Farm, the applicant needs to undertake assessments and prepare reports, considering the environmental impacts of the development. These environmental topic areas include, but are not limited to, landscape and visual, ecology, flood risk and drainage and heritage. Other amenity consideration, including noise and glint and glare will also be assessed. These reports will form part of the planning application.

The feedback from the assessments will be carefully considered and will help to shape the final design and layout of the project while also providing mitigation/enhancements where possible and suitable to limit any adverse impacts on the local environment.

The construction phase would last approximately 12 months after which the solar farm will operate for 40 years.  Following the operational phase, the site will be decommissioned and the land returned to its original use.

A temporary set down and vehicle parking area will be provided for the construction phase within the site boundary.

Solar farms are quiet energy generating facilities. They have very few moving parts and as such require less ongoing maintenance and generate little noise or vibration. Noise modelling and assessment works have been undertaken to ensure that the proposal is acceptable and does not result in adverse changes to baseline noise conditions.

To manage noise through construction, a Construction Traffic Method Plan will provide details of proposed access arrangements, the anticipated programme, construction vehicle numbers and type, construction worker numbers and the proposed construction hours. This will need to be agreed with the local planning authorities prior to commencement of construction.

A Construction Traffic Management Plan has been prepared. This document sets out the access proposals and considers any impacts during the construction period. The construction phase would last approximately 12 months after which the solar farm will operate for 40 years. Following the operational phase, the site will be decommissioned, and the land returned to its original use.

Access to the site will be shared with the existing solar farm to the west. All vehicles will approach the site from the A473, via Waterton Industrial Estate routing east before approaching the site
from the north, avoiding routing through Treoes village. It is proposed that no constriction vehicles will approach the site through the village of Treoes.

A compound and vehicle parking area will be provided on site during construction to ensure all vehicles can safely turn and leave the site in a forward gear. No parking of vehicles will be permitted on any nearby roads during construction.

Vehicle movements following construction will be limited to ongoing maintenance and monitoring and share the access point with the existing solar farm to the west.

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are specifically designed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Light reflecting from solar panels results in a loss of energy output. PV modules are dark in colour due to their anti-reflective coatings and are manufactured with low-iron, ultra-clear glass with specialised coatings and textures to enable maximum absorption.

A Glint and Glare assessment has been prepared to accompany the planning application, which demonstrates no significant impacts on dwellings.

A planning application will be made to Vale of Glamorgan Council and Bridgend County Borough Council who will make the decision on whether to grant planning permission in their role as the Local
Planning Authorities.