Sunderland, UK 09 July 2021 – Power Roll, a developer of low-cost and lightweight flexible solar film, is collaborating with a Derbyshire-based community action group to build a business case for rooftop solar as an alternative to a proposed 50 MW solar farm, which is seeking planning consent on a 300-acre greenfield site.
The action group, Save Alfreton Countryside (SAC), supports the growth of renewable energy but is opposed to inappropriate use of greenfield sites to host large-scale solar. The proposed solar farm would occupy countryside on the edge of the Peak District National Park.
“We are responsible environmentalists; that’s why we are advocating credible alternatives to ground-mounted solar farms,” said John Cleary, SAC’s chairman. “When the planning application was submitted for a solar farm that would engulf 300 acres of green fields adjacent to Alfreton we wanted to put forward a positive alternative rather than simply protesting. We saw what Power Roll is doing and it seems like the perfect solution as it’s lightweight, flexible and cost-effective solar. Being a British company championing new technology we felt was a strong message as the profits will stay in the UK, which is not the case for the solar farm proposal.”
Power Roll partnered with specialists Energeo to analyse the rooftop solar potential of a local industrial park in Alfreton. Energeo uses geospatial big data to forecast the solar potential of buildings and has helped many local authorities to assess the solar capacity of the built estate to meet net zero targets. Energeo’s analysis suggests that using Power Roll’s solar film on rooftops, just one of the industrial parks in Alfreton could support around 30 MW of solar capacity.
“The public is very supportive of solar PV, but that may change if we continue to pursue mega-scale projects that use hundreds of acres of greenfield land,” said Neil Spann, chief executive, Power Roll. “Our solar film enables the use of buildings and surfaces that are unsuitable for traditional heavy, rigid panels. We’re delighted to be working with SAC to help support the growth of sustainable renewable energy in Derbyshire.”
SAC is engaging with Derbyshire County Council to discuss its proposal for sustainable alternatives to the ground-mounted solar farm.
Power Roll is seeking partners with expertise in roll-to-roll manufacturing to help scale up volume production in the UK.
About Power Roll
Power Roll has developed a unique, flexible, lightweight solar film capable of producing ultra-low-cost green electricity that is up to 10 times cheaper to make than existing flexible PV. By applying different coatings to its versatile microgroove design, Power Roll can also use the film for energy storage and to manufacture capacitors. Power Roll has an existing joint venture with Deki Electronics in India to manufacture an innovative range of capacitors with significant advantages over existing technologies.
Power Roll’s microgroove solar film is suitable for non-load-bearing rooftops, building integration, transport, portable applications, off-grid projects and IoT sensors.
@PowerRollPV https://www.powerroll.solar
About Save Alfreton Countryside
SAC is a group of local residents living in Oakerthorpe, South Wingfield, Alfreton, and Shirland who are opposed to the proposed solar park plans. Since forming in January 2021, SAC members have worked in their spare time to raise awareness and engage with other local residents to oppose the solar park which will dramatically impact local heritage, landscape, and biodiversity.
https://www.savealfretoncountryside.co.uk/ @savealfretoncountryside
About Energeo
Formed in 2015 by founders from some of the UK’s leading geospatial organisations, Energeo harnesses the power of geospatial Big Data and Machine Learning to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. Its innovative approach to decarbonisation has been developed with funding and support from the European Space Agency, UK Space Agency, Innovate UK, Western Power Distribution, and DataPitch EU.
Energeo’s clients come from variety of sectors and industries, each with their own unique challenges and issues relating to sustainability and decarbonisation. Clients include Bournemouth Borough Council, Luton Borough Council, Oxfordshire County Council, National Grid, Volker Highways, Sovereign Housing, Community Works CIC, Satellite Applications Catapult, Smartklub, Intermedia Global and more.
