About Derril Water Solar Park
Derril Water Solar Park is a 42 MWp solar farm situated near Pyworthy, Devon.
- The total site area measures roughly 163 acres.
- The site will comprise over 68,000 solar modules, capable of generating 42 MWp of renewable energy.
- A range of new, high-value habitats, including coastal meadow grassland, native woodland, and native scrub with a diverse mix of species will be introduced.
- Nesting and foraging opportunities for birds will be provided.
- Refuge, breeding, and hibernation grounds for reptiles and amphibians will be introduced.
- The site will generate enough green energy each year to power approximately 14,000 homes per annum.
Shared Solar At Derril Water
Derril Water is a unique project in many ways, not least in terms of its shared ownership. Derril Water is owned by 10,000 people in an energy cooperative managed by Ripple Energy. They’ve raised over £20 million to fund this project, the single largest cooperative share raise in UK history.
Ripple has set aside a portion of the project for local ownership and created a Community Benefit Fund to help support local charities and community groups.
All shareholders will receive low-cost renewable energy to their homes or businesses via the grid and their energy suppliers.
Sheep Grazing at Derril Water
Most of the site at Derril Water will be used for sheep grazing once the farm is operational. This combined agricultural use will support food security as well as biodiversity, by eliminating the use of pesticides and promoting the establishment of the sward.
Devon breeds such as Whiteface Dartmoor, Greyface Dartmoor or Devon Closewool will likely be used. These local breeds are favoured for their strong sward maintenance and ability to hold back scrub growth, as well as their overall hardiness.
Biodiversity Net Gain at Derril Water
As with all our projects, we are going to great lengths to protect and promote the natural environment on and around the Derill Water Solar Park. From the plants and animals to the waterway, we are committed to long-term growth at Derill Water.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a way of ensuring that there are measurable improvements in the natural habitats on any given development.
Typically, a minimum increase of 10% is required for any new solar development in the U.K., but at Derill Water we have committed to fostering a 90% increase in natural habitats.
How will Ethical Power promote BNG at Derill Water?
Our comprehensive BNG plan covers promoting both new and existing habitats. Here’s how it will work:
Create new grassland
Grassland is a crucial aspect of any ecosystem, supporting numerous species and regulating water retention and soil erosion. Once the development of the
solar farm is complete, species-rich grassland seed mix will be sown across the site, supporting invertebrates and the animals that feed on them.Plant new trees
Native trees such as alder, downy birch, goat willow, bay willow, and wild cherry will be planted on-site. Pruning and cutting for new trees will take place for a minimum of three years, and until they are firmly established. This will help strengthen ecological connections between the site and the surrounding area.
Plant new hedgerow
Hedgerow provides nesting and foraging ground for many species, as well as travel corridors for small mammals and reptiles. To help encourage this, we will plant over a kilometre of new hedgerow around Derril Water Solar Farm, including hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, and holly.
Build hibernacula
A hibernaculum is a space where reptiles and other animals seek refuge over winter. To help protect these species, two hibernacula will be installed near to other features of potential reptile interest, such as the ponds and hedgerows.
Each hibernaculum is made of log, rock and stone piles and then left to allow natural vegetation colonisation to continue over the subsequent years.
Build bee banks
Not all bees build hives, some, such as mining bees, live in tunnels underground. Many such bees are Priority species in England. Bee banks are mounts of loose sand and other materials that are built specifically for bees to burrow into. These will be placed in warm, south-facing areas away from the shade of the panels and left to be grown over by vegetation.
Two such bee banks will be created within the first year of the solar farm’s operation.
Install bird boxes
The Devon countryside is home to many types of birds, such as such as skylarks, house sparrows, and kingfishers. We have put into place a number of measures to protect and promote birds at Derril Water, including those that increase the number of foraging locations and prey availability.
To help nesting birds, we will erect at least four bird nest boxes, which will be a mixture of sizes to accommodate a variety of species. These will be positioned 2-4m up each tree with a clear flight path to each box entrance. The boxes will face northwest to avoid the strong wind and sun and will have angled roofs so that any driving rain will hit the roof and bounce clear.
Install bat boxes
The area around Derril Water is home to a number of bat species, including Greater Horseshoe bats and the Soprano Pipistrelle. We have ensured that no trees with bat roosting potential will be lost and have put in place a long-term plan that will result in the solar farm having a positive impact on bats.
Part of this plan involves the installation of four woodcrete bat boxes, using a mix of designs that are suitable for Devon Priority species. Each box will face between southwest and southeast and be positioned around 3-5m up with a clear flight path to the entrance.
Build bug hotels
Insects and other invertebrates are a vital part of any ecosystem, helping with pollination and providing food for birds, bats, and small mammals. To help encourage and protect invertebrate species, we will build and erect at least two “bug hotels”.
These will be places away from the shade of the solar panels and face south or southeast for warmth. These will be maintained for a minimum of five years, to ensure that they remain safe and viable for their inhabitants.
Instal hedgehog houses
Hedgehog houses are small wooden structures that provide safe shelter for these charming creatures. Nine such hedgehog houses will be positioned across the site and checked annually for at least five years to ensure safe living. Measures to increase invertebrate numbers will also result in more prey availability for hedgehogs.
Eradicate invasive Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam is a fast-grown invasive weed that can disturb watercourses, outcompete nearby plants, and pull pollinators away from native flora. This voracious weed has been found at Derril Water and will be eradicated as part of our Biodiversity Management Plan in order to help restore the natural balance and enhance native floristic diversity.