Rural photovoltaic panels are being cheated

Will a'restricting solar panels on farmland' help food security?

A rumoured plan from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to dramatically restrict solar panels on farmland in the UK will not help food security – which is threatened far more by climate change – let alone energy security, and is at odds with the Government’s Net Zero Strategy.

Are solar panels taking grazing pastures out of food production?

It is a question that divides farmers nationwide, and is being debated on the Somerset Levels. On ancient grazing pastures steel and silicon solar panels are being installed, taking thousands of acres of farmland out of food production.

Are solar panels 'filling' the UK's highest quality farmland?

Both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have warned of solar panels “filling” the UK’s highest quality farmland, joining a chorus of their fellow Conservative MPs who have recently described solar projects as hazards for rural communities and food supply. There has been some pushback to the view being promoted by Truss and Sunak.

Are solar panels taking farmland out of food production?

On ancient grazing pastures steel and silicon solar panels are being installed, taking thousands of acres of farmland out of food production. Across the country, the new Energy Security Secretary, Ed Miliband, has already approved three huge controversial developments, covering 6,200 acres (2,500 hectares) of farmland.

Could solar panels be a 'win-win' for grazing sheep?

Carbon Brief spoke to Tom Martin, who has proposed a solar scheme on his mixed farm in Cambridgeshire. The project would see around 65,000 solar panels sited on approximately 100 acres across three fields. Martin describes the idea of adding solar panels to grassland while still grazing sheep as “win-win”:

Are solar panels stolen?

By way of example, in August, solar panels worth approximately £10 500 were stolen from an energy farm in Northamptonshire. Solar panel theft is not limited to large scale and commercial solar farms either – homes in remote areas are also vulnerable, with thieves reportedly swiping panels from people’s roofs. Why?