Cornwall's massive solar expansion puts local farmers in tough spot
UKʼs largest solar panel region faces growing opposition from local communities. Cornwallʼs push for green energy creates tension between renewable goals and traditional farming practices
Cornwall leads UKʼs solar-power race with over 27k sun-catching sites (making it the countrys top green-energy producer ahead of runner-ups Wiltshire and Somerset)
The south-west regionʼs solar boom has created a split between eco-supporters and local-business owners. Ed Milibandʼs green plans want even more panels‚ but not everyone agrees with this sun-powered future
Last winter‚ Steve Arthur left his council position due to disagreements about solar expansion. “These massive solar farms are being built across Cornwall“ he stated — pointing out that about 10 square-miles of farmland could be covered by 30 big projects
The money-side of solar farms makes things complicated:
- Regular farm-land brings £250-500 per acre
- Solar companies offer £1000 per acre
- Contracts run for about 25 years
- Chinese-made panels are common
Nick Dymond who runs Trevispian Vean Farm close to Truro says its hurting local farmers: many cant keep their rented fields because owners want solar panels instead. Near Launceston a 200-acre project at Canworthy Water got approved despite planning officers saying no; while French company EDF plans a 250-acre site by Indian Queens village
Martyn Alvey from Cornwall Council thinks we need to find middle ground between farming and solar needs. The industry group Solar Energy UK says Cornwallʼs got perfect conditions: good sunlight lots of cheap land and power-grid access. They dont see a problem saying UK solar farms would use just 0‚3% of available land when government hits its 2035 goals
