Solar PV Industry Legal Services

Large scale solar energy has seen massive growth over the last few years and we have been involved in schemes across the UK with a total capacity of around 1.5GW (or approximately 7,500 acres). We have been at the forefront of the boom in solar photovoltaic “farms” in the UK acting for the developers involved in the (then) largest 5MW sites in 2011 when most schemes were developed under the feed-in-tariff and what was, until fairly recently, the UK’s largest overall scheme at Wymeswold, Leicestershire under ROCs. We have also acted on schemes of up to 50MW, which is likely to be the limit of UK-based farms at the time of writing, and on the UK’s only solar PV scheme to be funded via a contract for difference.

The sector has been heavily affected by changes in subsidy levels but there are still opportunities for the “right” projects. Longer term our view is that there is likely to be an increased focus on schemes that provide electricity to be used, rather than exported, at least until subsidy-free projects become viable.

Our understanding of the land and agriculture, coupled with extensive solar farm experience, puts us in an ideal position to advise both developers and landowners at all stages of a solar farm project from initial conception to delivery, grid connection and generation. Seeing the issues from both sides can cut costs and avoid delays.

We also have extensive working relationships with banks, land agents and other professionals, which have acted as a catalyst for many schemes.

Our work in this area is national and has tended to follow the availability of affordable grid connections.