Tackling Climate Change

As we transition to a net-zero future, reducing the impacts of climate change both locally and globally, RES' priority is to deliver clean, green electricity at the lowest cost for consumers.  New analysis on electricity generation costs published by BEIS¹ shows that large-scale solar, alongside onshore wind, are now the cheapest forms of electricity generation.  This makes developments like Varley Solar Farm not just good for the environment but also for the consumer.

The Environment

Solar farms have significant potential to enhance biodiversity, hosting a range of habitats including wildflower meadows, hedgerows, nectar-rich areas for pollinators, and woodland. A typical solar farm uses around just 5% of the total site area with the rest of the land remaining undisturbed, creating significant opportunities to provide a range of ecological benefits.

Benefiting the Local Community

RES seeks to be a power for good in the communities that neighbour its projects by working openly and constructively to ensure meaningful local benefits.

RES is committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, local contractors and employees are used in all aspects of solar farm development. The major opportunities arise during the construction phase when suitably qualified local firms are often invited to bid for different aspects of construction.  We encourage our contractors to source construction materials locally (i.e. within the county) and to use local transport and plant hire companies where possible, in addition to local services and amenities.  

Once constructed, Varley Solar Farm would deliver business rates annually for the life of the project.  South Gloucestershire Council retains 100% of all the business rates due from Renewable Energy businesses (Solar and Wind Farms) to fund vital local services for all local residents.

¹ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6556027d046ed400148b99fe/electricity-generation-costs-2023.pdf