Hedley Planning has secured approval for a solar array project on the Isle of Man, featuring PV panels mounted on three trackers. These photovoltaic panels will generate clean energy and power a data centre that will also serve educational purposes.
PV Panels to Boost Renewable Energy on the Isle of Man
Hedley Planning — a company based in the North East — has taken a big step forward in its expansion plans beyond the region. The firm recently secured approval for a new solar array project on the Isle of Man. This solar array will feature photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on three trackers.
The solar array will be installed on a 0.49-hectare plot of rural land off Douglas Road in Ballasalla. This land will also house a data centre and a new maintenance access road. The photovoltaic panels used in this project will help power the data centre and generate clean energy for the local community. The data centre itself will provide information from the PV trackers, and this data will be used for educational purposes.
Solar array (Image collected)
Each of the three trackers will contain 36 PV panels. These panels will capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, which will then be used to power the surrounding area. Photovoltaic panels are a key technology in the renewable energy sector. They offer a clean, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels by harnessing the power of the sun.
PV panels are made from materials like silicon, which absorb sunlight and create an electric field. When sunlight hits the panels, electrons are knocked loose, creating a flow of electricity. This process is known as the photovoltaic effect, which is where photovoltaic panels get their name.
The First PV Trackers on the Isle of Man
The photovoltaic trackers in this project are unique to the Isle of Man. They are pole-mounted, which allows them to follow the sun throughout the day. This makes the panels more efficient because they can capture more sunlight than fixed panels. By tracking the sun’s movement, the PV panels can generate more energy, thereby providing greater benefits for the local community.
The solar array project is part of a larger push by the Isle of Man to become more energy independent. As the world faces growing concerns over climate change and energy shortages, PV panels offer a way to generate electricity without relying on fossil fuels. The introduction of these pole-mounted trackers is expected to pave the way for more PV panel installations on the island.
Hedley Planning has been at the forefront of planning and development projects in the North East of England. This solar array project marks its expansion beyond the region and highlights its commitment to renewable energy. Joe Ridgeon, director at Hedley Planning, oversaw the planning application and was pleased with the outcome.
"We are delighted to eventually secure planning permission for this exciting project and very much look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition," Ridgeon said. He emphasized the importance of solar energy farms as an efficient way to generate clean energy for both properties and the wider community.
The Benefits of Solar Energy for the Isle of Man
The solar array project on the Isle of Man is expected to deliver multiple benefits to the local community. PV panels generate electricity without producing harmful emissions, making them an eco-friendly choice for the environment. They also offer a cost-effective energy source, as sunlight is free and abundant.
The data centre that will be built alongside the photovoltaic panels will also play an important role. It will collect and display data from the trackers, providing valuable information on how much energy the PV panels generate. This data will be used for educational purposes, helping to inform the public and promote the use of renewable energy.
Hedley Planning’s approval for the Isle of Man solar array is a significant step in advancing renewable energy on the island. With the installation of photovoltaic panels, the project will generate clean electricity for the local community and provide valuable data for educational purposes.