Council's net zero solar farm project completed

About 3,700 solar panels have been set up at Sandscale Park

A £2.8m solar farm built to help offset a council's carbon emissions has been completed.

About 3,700 solar panels have been set up at the 2MW solar farm at Sandscale Park in Barrow, Cumbria.

Westmorland and Furness Council said the site was expected to generate enough to power its five leisure centres or about 730 homes per year.

The farm covers an area of approximately 29 acres (11.9 hectares) and is the first of more schemes in the council's plans to become net zero.

The farm is now connected to the national grid and generating electricity, the authority said.

Councillor Peter Thornton said: "The rise in energy costs is affecting us all, and by establishing this site we’re now able to generate our own energy and ensure security for the future, which can only be a positive thing."

The scheme was delivered with Electricity North West, main contractor Vital Energi, and specialist advisors Green Cat Renewables.

Councillor Giles Archibald said a range of native tree and hedge species were planted at the site to "support our rich local wildlife including pollinators, bats and a variety of birds such as house sparrows, wagtails, nuthatch and redstarts".

"This solar farm is a landmark achievement, not just for our council but for Cumbria as a whole," he added.