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Solar can already produce as much as 30% of the UK’s electricity at different points throughout the year, and in 2020, solar provided more than 4% of the UK’s total energy supply.

One of the advantages of solar energy is its versatility across all regions of the UK. Solar panels do not require direct sunlight to function and can generate power consistently throughout the year, even on cloudier days. Moreover, the reliability of solar power is bolstered by the ability to accurately predict sunlight hours for each day, facilitating precise forecasts of solar energy generation.

Onsite battery storage will allow us to store and export energy during peak times, even after the sun has gone down.

As one of the most cost-effective forms of clean and renewable energy, solar power is poised to experience a fivefold surge in capacity by 2050. To keep on track with the UK’s ambition to be net zero by 2050, the Government has an  ambition of reaching 45 to 47 gigawatts of installed solar capacity by 2030.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-power-2030-action-plan

However, this ambition will not be achieved through rooftop solar alone, as few rooftops are ideal for solar power generation. For a rooftop solar panel to generate electricity, it must be south facing (or at least south-east or south-west), it must have at least 20 square metres of clear roof space and the roof cannot be too shallow or steep.

The Independent National Food Strategy Review, which looks at the entire food chain from field to fork, concluded that solar farms do not in any way pose a risk to the UK’s food security².

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), climate change could reduce the UK’s stock of high-grade agricultural land by nearly three-quarters by 2050. A report by DEFRA confirmed that the biggest threat to the UK’s food security is Climate Change³. Solar farms generate near zero-carbon electricity and thus help to tackle the issue of climate change.

Solar farms provide valuable income for farmers, they can still be used for grazing, and can support UK farmers to continue food production on other parts of their land. Therefore, solar farms have a key role to play in helping to improve the UK’s food security by addressing climate change and safeguarding the UK’s stock of high-grade agricultural land.

²https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/united-kingdom-food-security-report-2021/united-kingdom-food-securityreport-2021-theme-2-uk-food-supply-sources#united-kingdom-food-security-report-2021-theme2-indicator-2-1-1

³https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1077015/United_Kingdom_Food_Security_Report_2021_19may2022.pdf

Up to 99% of the materials in
solar PV modules can be recycled, while non-recyclable infrastructure will be disposed of following established good practice and contemporary processes.

As part of the DCO application, the RWE has produced an Outline Decommissioning Environmental Management Plan. This plan outlines the procedures and requirements for dismantling, removing, and disposing of the materials from Peartree Hill Solar Farm at the end of its operational life with details finalised closer to decommissioning.

As Peartree Hill will generate more than 50MW of power, it is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and will proceed through the Development Consent Order (DCO) planning process.

The DCO process provides a dedicated framework specifically designed to address the complexities associated with large, complex energy projects (as well as other project types).

Applications for DCOs are examined independently by the Planning Inspectorate. Following an Examination of the project, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, who will decide on the outcome of the application.

As the host authority, East Riding of Yorkshire Council will be a statutory consultee for the application and will play an important role in shaping aspects of the project. RWE is committed to working closely with the Council, along with local Parish Councils and statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency. As part of this commitment, we will exhibit a proactive approach to taking onboard feedback and incorporating comments.

The DCO process is a comprehensive and structured planning procedure, ensuring that all aspects of the development are meticulously scrutinised. This process involves several stages:

Further information on the DCO process can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/.

Updates about Peartree Hill Solar Farm will be posted on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/yorkshire-and-the-humber/peartree-hill-solar-farm/?ipcsection=overview

The construction period for Peartree Hill is estimated to be around 18-34 months, with a phased approach.

As part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, RWE will investigate any potential local impacts as a result of the construction and will propose measures to mitigate them if necessary. An Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been developed as part of the DCO application to outline how construction activities will be managed throughout the construction process.

The Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) sets out strategies and measures for managing construction activities, including stakeholder engagement, site management, environmental considerations, community impact, health and safety, and monitoring and compliance.

The Outline CEMP ensures responsible construction practices while minimising disruptions and environmental impacts. A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be produced which will be substantially in accordance with the Outline CEMP.

We will also prepare a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

The typical lifetime of a solar farm is 40 years. After which it is proposed that the solar development would be decommissioned, and the land would be returned to its existing condition.

The main panel areas will have a security fence around to protect the panels and associated facilities.

However, as part of the proposals for Peartree Hill, RWE is seeking to deliver a wide range of ecological enhancements and community assets.

One of the key topics of feedback from the consultations was about integration with existing public rights of way. We have tried to incorporate this feedback into the updated plans submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The updated plans for Peartree Hill Solar Farm includes over 12 km of new permissive paths to increase access to the countryside for the communities around the site.

Any noise produced by Peartree Hill would be by the inverters, batteries or substations, which we typically place away from residential properties. The predicted noise impact of a typical solar farm is considered to be low to negligible, and nonintrusive.

The Environmental Statement included a chapter on noise and vibration which provides details on the assessment of the potential noise and vibration effects arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Peartree Hill Solar Farm. Baseline noise survey information from existing background levels have been taken to understand the existing noise climate within the surrounding area. Noise sensitive receptor locations (see ES Volume 3, Figure 12.3: Baseline Noise Monitoring Locations) were agreed with East Riding of Yorkshire Council as part of the EIA Scoping.

Good design and high-quality infrastructure will serve to reduce noise at source. Embedded mitigation for Peartree Hill Solar Farm includes locating on-site substations greater than 250 m from residential properties or any environmental designated site, and a minimum offset distance of 50 m to residential properties from solar PV modules and other infrastructure. In addition, to attenuate noise emissions during operation, reduced fan speeds will be employed where applicable whilst maintaining the required airflow for cooling requirements.

ES Volume 2, Chapter 12: Noise and Vibration has concluded that with the implementation of mitigation measures, such as the optimised selection of plant and equipment, the use of acoustic barriers, and the inclusion of acoustic silencers and/or louvres where relevant and practicable, the effect of operational noise from Peartree Hill Solar Farm would be Not Significant.

Battery storage is an integral component of our plans for Peartree Hill Solar Farm. By storing excess energy during periods of peak generation or low demand and releasing it during peak demand or in case of power outages, Peartree Hill can generate a consistent and reliable renewably generated power supply.

The BESS, inverters and DC-DC converters will be arranged together, known as ‘hybrid packs’. Each hybrid pack would comprise four BESS units, one inverter and four DC-DC converters arranged as shown in the ES Volume 3, Figure 3.1: Indicative Operational Layout Plan. Battery storage as part of the Proposed Development has been located within the land areas to minimise impacts on any relevant designations and local communities, while remaining accessible for maintenance.

The technology underpinning battery storage is well established and extensively used in various facets of our daily lives. The battery units proposed for Peartree Hill Solar Farm have long lives, charging and discharging thousands of times.

An Outline Battery Safety Management Plan has been developed, which outline the Applicant’s strategies, protocols, and commitments, ensuring that battery storage at Peartree Hill Solar Farm adheres to the highest standards and contributes seamlessly to the overall success of the solar farm project. RWE’s intention is to use an automatic clean agent for fire suppression rather than a water-based system as it is considered a more appropriate system for combatting electrical fires, it reduces the need for large on-site water and it reduces the risk of contamination from firewater. Water for firefighting purposes would be sourced from the nearest available supply: this water would be used only to cool areas adjacent to a battery storage container to prevent fire spread, rather than being used to attempt to directly fight a fire within a battery storage container.

The solar PV modules are dark in colour due to their anti-reflective coatings and are manufactured with low-iron, ultra-clear glass with specialised coatings and textures to enable maximum absorption. The combination of these factors increases electrical energy production of the panels and reduces reflected rays at the same time.

The Environmental Statement included an Glint and Glare Assessment which considers potential impacts on roads, Public Rights of Way, residential dwellings as well as aviation. Typical mitigation measures would need to be proposed where the assessment identifies potential impacts, such as hedgerow infilling and planting to obstruct views of potentially reflecting panels. This assessment concludes that for all receptors, including dwelling, roads and aviation receptors (Beverley Airfield and Hill Farm Airfield & Burton-Constable Airfield) no significant effects are predicted, therefore no mitigation is required.

There is widespread recognition that the UK, along with the rest of the world, is in a climate emergency. The Government has outlined that solar has an important part to play in diversifying the UK’s energy mix, while reducing emissions and keeping bills low.

RWE is aware that there are several consented and proposed solar schemes in East Riding of Yorkshire and in proximity to Peartree Hill. However, with Government aiming for 45-47 gigawatts of ground and rooftop capacity together by 2030 to keep on track with net zero goals, there is a need to consider the feasibility of solar delivery on land in all areas of the country, even if there are already some consented and operational solar schemes in the area.

A full cumulative assessment was included as part of the Environmental Statement. Other projects to be included in the cumulative assessment have been selected based on identifying major developments that: have the same Zone of Influence as Peartree Hill Solar Farm for at least one environmental factor; have temporal crossover in the proposed dates for construction, operation and/or decommissioning; and are of a scale and nature where a significant effect is likely. The other projects to be included in the cumulative assessment include consented and proposed solar schemes in proximity to Peartree Hill Solar Farm as well as other Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, including offshore wind farms which are proposing to connect into the existing National Grid Creyke Beck Substation or a proposed new substation further north.

A section of the Dogger Bank South (DBS) onshore cable crosses through the area proposed for solar development. RWE is also developing the DBS project and discussions are ongoing to ensure both projects can avoid impacts and identify potential synergies.

Our statutory consultation closed on 26 June 2024 and our additional targeted consultation closed on 8 November 2024. Since then, we have carefully reviewed and considered all feedback received. This input has helped to shape the final design of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and formally accepted for examination in March 2025.

The examination of accepted applications for development consent under the Planning Act 2008 is undertaken by an Examining Authority appointed by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State. The overriding aim of an examination is to ensure that the proposals and issues are proportionately, and reasonably, considered. Following the closure of the examination, the Examining Authority must submit a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State to enable the Secretary of State to reach and publish a decision on whether to grant permission for the application.

Members of the public will need to fill out a registration form and make a relevant representation during the relevant representation period if they want to be an interested party and:

• have the right to send further comments and provide evidence during the examination of the application,
• have the right to request to speak at hearings,
• hear about events and decisions made during the process, and
• hear about the progress of the application.

A relevant representation should include full details of any issues that you want to be considered as part of the examination. Representations must be submitted on a registration form and the form must be received by the deadline.

Updates about Peartree Hill Solar Farm will be posted on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.

Public participation is a crucial part of the DCO process. Developers must conduct public consultations and give due consideration to the feedback received.

Our statutory consultation closed on 26 June 2024 and our additional targeted consultation closed on 8 November 2024. Since then, we have carefully reviewed and considered all feedback received. This input has helped to shape the design submitted as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and formally accepted for examination in March 2025.

We are committed to delivering a solar farm that contributes to local and national energy goals, while also providing tangible benefits to the local community, both within the land areas and through a community benefit fund.

Our vision for Peartree Hill includes a wide range of ecological mitigation and enhancements. This includes new wildflower meadows, grassland areas and habitat creation, encouraging this area to become a haven for wildlife and local biodiversity. Through this, and new permissive paths and enhancement of existing Public Rights of Way, Peartree Hill can become a space for all to enjoy, with increased opportunity for access, transforming it into a shared communal space of wildlife, leisure and education.

Beyond the solar farm, RWE wants to give back to the local community and is committed to providing a community benefits fund that can be used to support local causes and initiatives. This community benefit fund would take the form of annual payments spread across the 40-year lifespan of the project’s operation. We will work with local community representatives to understand how this fund can be best used to meet the area’s needs and aspirations.

For more information about Community Benefits, visit the Benefits page.

RWE will endeavour to find local firms and suppliers for construction activity on-site, as well as civil engineering works for the solar farm. Other opportunities for local suppliers relate to contractors for aggregates, landscaping supplies, haulage as well as plant hire. Construction staff are also likely to use local accommodation and shops/restaurants.

Once operational, the solar farm does not require any permanent staff, however, there will be a need for ongoing monitoring, cleaning, landscape maintenance and general maintenance over the course of the year.