Working with local communities across the UK.

We work closely with local communities, listening to concerns and shaping our projects around them. Throughout the development process, we hold public consultations so people can ask questions and share feedback. We also invest in the areas we operate in through initiatives like community benefit funds, STEM education, and support for local organisations and community groups, creating lasting value for the communities we’re part of.

Our projects are designed to deliver more than clean energy. We invest in communities through initiatives like community benefit funds, STEM education, and support for local organisations and community groups.

Our sites are also designed to enhance biodiversity, creating habitats for wildlife and improving the land over the long term. At the same time, our projects contribute to national energy and food security, supporting a more resilient energy system.

Yes. Solar farms are a well-established and safe form of energy generation. They don’t produce emissions or pollutants, and all equipment is installed and maintained to meet rigorous safety standards. We manage our sites carefully to ensure they operate safely for nearby communities.

Solar farms are very quiet. During operation, you may hear a faint hum from equipment such as inverters if you’re nearby, but sound levels do not extend beyond the site boundary. We carry out detailed acoustic assessments to make sure every project meets strict noise standards.

Solar farms are designed to be temporary, with planning permission typically granted for around 40 years. At the end of that period, conditions require the site to be decommissioned, with equipment removed and the land returned to its original use.

We plan for this from the outset. Decommissioning plans are agreed with local authorities, and we remain responsible for delivering them. Equipment such as solar panels are also managed in line with recycling regulations, so materials are recovered wherever possible.

Our projects are designed with both people and nature in mind. Alongside generating clean energy and supporting local communities, we actively enhance biodiversity on the land we work on.

All solar developments are required to deliver at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), but through our Nature Protection Pledge we commit to achieving at least 60% combined BNG, with many sites achieving more. We do this by designing each project around its local environment. That can include planting hedgerows and wildflowers, creating habitats for wildlife, and improving soil health.

Our approach is tailored to every site and continues throughout the life of the project. By managing land carefully over the long term, we create spaces that support thriving ecosystems while delivering renewable energy for the communities around them.

You can get in touch with us at any stage of a project. We share contact details as part of our public consultations and project communications, so you can ask questions or provide feedback directly. You can also contact us through our website, and a member of the team will come back to you.

A community benefit fund is a pot of money linked to a project that is used to support the local area over time.

Our funds can be delivered in different ways. In some cases, funding is provided for projects such as improvements to community spaces and local facilities.  In others, we work with organisations like community foundations, where local groups can apply for grants.

Funding is flexible and can support a wide range of local priorities, including youth projects, support for older people, sport, fuel poverty, conservation, and wider community initiatives. We also support one-off projects where there’s a clear local benefit.

We stay involved to understand how funding is used and to make sure it continues to support the needs of the community.

Our consultation process is designed to keep communities informed and involved at every stage. We start by engaging with local stakeholders, including councils and nearby residents, to introduce the project and gather early feedback. We then share information more widely through materials such as project websites, letters, and community updates.

One or two formal public consultations are held during the pre-planning application submission stage of the project. These typically run for around 3–4 weeks. During this time, we hold local and online events where people can view plans, ask questions, and speak directly with our team. We also meet with local residents and parish councils to gather feedback.

We regularly make changes to our projects based on feedback from local communities. This can include adjusting layouts, moving infrastructure, or changing construction plans to better reflect local concerns.

For example, following community input, we have:

• Changed construction traffic routes after discussions with parish councils
• Relocated substations to reduce visibility
• Added screening and reduced development in more sensitive areas

We take feedback seriously and use it to shape projects, so they work better for the communities around them.

We work closely with Parish Councils throughout the development of a project. We engage early to introduce proposals, share information, and gather local insight that can help shape the design.

We meet with the local Parish Councils and offer presentations and stay in touch as plans evolve. Parish Councils also help us reach the wider community, for example by advising on local mailing areas or sharing information through trusted local channels.

We continue that dialogue throughout the project, providing updates and coming back to councils where needed to discuss changes or next steps.

We work with local schools and community groups to support learning and raise awareness of renewable energy. Our team delivers sessions on topics such as careers in the sector and the role of clean energy in the future. Through these activities, we aim to support young people, build local skills, and stay connected to the communities where we operate.