Hanwha Q Cells acquires 6.4 MW Tower Hill solar farm in UK

The farm was developed by Green Hedge Group and marks further growth of Hanwha Q Cells in U.K. market.

Green Hedge Group and Hanwha Q Cells has announced that the internationally leading PV provider has acquired the project rights to build the Tower Hill solar farm in South Gloucestershire, UK, for an undisclosed amount. Green Hedge has successfully taken the 6.46 MW project from inception through to planning consent and a ready-to-build state, thereby completing the development of Green Hedge’s 18th UK solar farm project. The financials of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Hanwha Q CELLS will now build and own the Tower Hill solar farm. Once operational, it will provide enough electricity for over 1,800 households. Green Hedge will continue to stay involved with the project as operations and maintenance sub-contractor to Hanwha Q CELLS.

Considerate design and community engagement have been central to the development of the project. Practical commitments in the project developed by Green Hedge, which are to be implemented by Hanwha Q CELLS, include establishing 10.6 hectares of improved grasslands, creating three wildflower meadows, two new pond habitats and a log pile habitat, as well as significant planting of trees and hedgerows, encouraging biodiversity and protecting the site visually. It is anticipated that the landowner will continue to maintain the dual-use nature of the site by grazing sheep underneath the solar panels for the duration of the solar farm’s operating life. At the end of the 25-year project term, the site will be returned to its original condition.

As part of its agreement with Green Hedge, Hanwha Q CELLS has also confirmed that following connection of the solar farm to the electrical grid, expected in March 2015, and until the decommissioning of the solar farm in 25 years’ time, an inflation linked annual payment of £5,810 will be provided to and shared between Thornbury Town Council and Tytherington Parish Council. The funds, approximately £145,250 over the lifetime of the solar farm, will be used for the benefit of local residents.

Tess Sundelin, Managing Director at Green Hedge, said, “We are delighted that Hanwha Q CELLS will now take on the project and see the Tower Hill solar farm through construction and into the operating phase. The solar farm will be a significant source of green electricity for South Gloucestershire and provide important financial benefits to the local community. We are also delighted to continue our own involvement as operations and maintenance sub-contractor.”

Kieron Kane, Head of Project Development UK at Hanwha Q CELLS, said, “We are very happy about realising the Tower Hill Solar Farm in cooperation with Green Hedge. The project will further deepen Hanwha Q CELLS´ footprint as a provider of reliable Power Plant Solutions to our customers, communities and our partners in the U.K.