Winery's solar panel project aims to bust myths

Mark Preece said the project aimed to show how solar power could work alongside agriculture

A solar array installed at a winery in Jersey aims to "dispel myths" surrounding renewable energy production, bosses have said.

Jersey Electricity (JE) said it had partnered with La Mare Wine Estate to install four ground-mounted solar panels, which will help power the site.

Mark Preece, JE's chief operating officer, said the demonstration aimed to show how solar power could work alongside agriculture.

"We are excited that these four panels give us the opportunity to dispel myths around ground-mount solar," he said.

"For example, that no light passes through and farming and wildlife can't flourish around the panels.

"[They also] show future potential partners what a ground-mount site could look like if they decided to work with us on a ground-mount project."

'Exciting new era'

JE said the panels, which will produce about 2,550 kWh of electricity per year, formed part of the estate's walking tour.

It said the project was the first step in a partnership that would test which crops fared best growing around ground-mounted solar arrays.

A wildflower meadow will be planted around the panels to encourage wildlife.

Tim Crowley, managing director at La Mare Vineyards, said the partnership was a "very natural one".

He said agrivoltaics, a term used for land which is used for solar energy production and agriculture, was an "an exciting new area" for the estate.

"For the past two decades La Mare has been a leader in green business practice," he said.

"We are delighted to be working with such a passionate team who share the same values for a sustainable and greener island for us all."