A new £17million ‘solar PV farm’, funded by the University, which will consist of more than 17,000 photovoltaic (PV) cell panels constructed on the University’s land to the east of the M6.

The 52-acre solar farm will generate enough energy to supply the annual demand of approximately 2,800 houses each year. The project also includes a comprehensive landscaping scheme which will enhance the hedgerows and woodland in the area, protecting views for local walkers and creating an environment that will support wildlife and increase biodiversity. Construction of the solar farm is now underway and is due to complete in spring 2025.

The new solar farm will also house a bespoke research facility enabling research and teaching across disciplines from plant science, to control system engineering. The solar farm will encompass a 50kW agrivoltaics demonstrator enabling the production of crops and electricity from the same land area. It is believed to be the first field demonstrator in the UK and will comprise an area of tracking photovoltaic arrays and an area of vertical panels.