What is utility-scale solar?
A utility-scale solar farm is a type of solar farm that is large in scale and generates solar power. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the photovoltaic (PV) cells in the panel. This energy then creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing a direct current which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This electricity is then converted to alternating current by an inverter which is then fed into either the transmission or distribution network, depending on the scale of the farm. Paired with battery storage, utility-scale solar provides a flexible backup energy resource.
Solar is an essential part of the UK and Ireland’s current and future energy mix
Our solar projects will be capable of harnessing the abundant power of the sun to bring renewable power onto the grid. We are currently constructing our first solar project at Littleton, Worcestershire. It is a 30MW project over 77 acres and is due to be completed in Spring 2025. Once energised, the site will be capable of powering around 9,400 homes.
With numerous projects in the pipeline, we are working with developers and landowners across the UK and Ireland to deliver clean, home-grown energy powered by the sun. Our solar project pipeline perfectly complements SSE’s existing portfolio of low carbon infrastructure such as wind and hydro.
You can find out more about our Solar projects on our SSE Renewables Website, or learn more about our International opportunities in our Annual Report 2024.
SSE's solar portfolio
SSE's solar farm locations
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Richfield Solar and BESS
SSE Renewables is proposing to develop a c.21MWp solar PV array (solar farm) on lands near the existing 18-turbine Richfield Wind Farm in, County Wexford. The Richfield Wind Farm has been in operation since 2006 and can power almost 18,000 homes and helps to abate almost 22,000 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide per annum.
Littleton Solar
This 30MW solar farm project in Evesham, Worcestershire is our first solar project which began construction in Summer 2023. The 77-acre site, which SSE Renewables acquired from Stark in December 2021, will be capable of powering 9,400 homes when fully operational.