Green Power Meets Grazing: Preston’s Solar Farm Revolution Lets Sheep and Renewables Thrive Together
Preston approved a bold solar farm plan that will power 5,900 homes, keep sheep grazing, and set a new bar for UK green energy projects.
- 5,900 Homes: Number of households to be powered by the new solar farm
- 3.25m Panels: Maximum height of the solar frames, enabling pasture beneath
- 40 Years: Expected lifespan before returning land to full grassland
- 100% Grazing Retained: Sheep will continue to feed under the panels
Preston is tapping into the future of energy and farming, blending rolling fields and high-tech solar panels in a way few UK regions have dared attempt before. Councillors have just approved a sweeping solar energy scheme at Lower House Farm, promising to deliver renewable electricity for nearly 6,000 local homes while welcoming sheep to graze as normal right beneath the panels.
The sheep-friendly solar panels will be propped up on metal frames, each standing no taller than 3.25 meters—just enough for a flock to fit comfortably underneath. A special blend of shade-tolerant grasses will be sown to ensure robust pasture, even with the dappled sunlight from the panels above. The innovative seed mix keeps the land productive for agriculture, maintaining a rural charm for decades to come.
Natural screening will be provided by the existing hedgerows and newly planted trees, making the installation nearly invisible from nearby paths and homes. This low-impact approach thrilled planners, who noted the panels would be unobtrusive amid the Preston countryside.
The landowner’s agents explained that this site, nestled between Woodplumpton and New Mill brooks, provides a rare combination of perfect grid access and minimal disruption to local scenery—one of the very few in the Preston area where a green energy project like this could happen.
Preston’s planning officers have greenlit this temporary development, which will operate for approximately 40 years. After that, the entire area will be restored to traditional grassland, closing the cycle with no permanent impact.
For more on the future of renewable power, check out National Grid, learn about energy mix trends at International Energy Agency, or follow related farming solutions at NFU Online.
Q: How Will Sheep Grazing and Solar Panels Co-Exist?
The panels are carefully elevated to allow sheep free movement—and continued access to lush pasture. The shade-tolerant grass means sheep can feed year-round without sacrificing nutritional quality. In fact, sheep grazing helps maintain the grass beneath the rows, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring the site remains tidy and productive.
Q: Why Is This Solar Farm Site Unique?
Preston has limited locations where both green energy and grid connectivity are possible. Lower House Farm’s proximity to the necessary grid infrastructure—and its natural boundaries of hedgerows and earthen mounds—makes it a prime choice. Robust screening from trees and terrain means rural vistas are preserved.
How to Support Similar Local Renewable Projects
– Stay informed about council planning meetings and proposals.
– Support organizations advancing clean energy, like Friends of the Earth and RenewableUK.
– Participate in local consultations to have your voice heard on rural and environmental issues.
Ready to champion the green revolution? Share this story, attend your local planning meetings, and advocate for projects that marry tradition with innovation!
Actionable Summary:
- Solar farm will power 5,900 Preston homes while letting sheep keep grazing.
- Panels rise just over three meters, keeping land agriculturally productive.
- Project is temporary, restoring land after 40 years to natural pasture.
- Follow trusted sources for more on clean energy and sustainable agriculture.
