PLANS for 1062 solar panel energy scheme has been unanimously approved for Anglesey county council’s headquarters in Llangefni.
It is hoped it will help the council to reach its net zero target and generate renewable energy.
The island’s planning and orders committee granted permission for the sun powered energy development at its meeting on Wednesday, January 10.
The application describes a solar PV system, with four steel car port systems within the council’s car parking area.
The development would see PV panels developed as part of the carport roof structures.
Plans stated the 487.46 kWp system, would cover a 3.65 hectare area.
The application has been made through the council’s Head of Highways, Waste and Property, through the agent Revolution Energy Services.
Planning manager Rhys Lloyd Jones said the proposal concerned land owned by the council.
It would see the erection of solar PV structures and the creation of car parking ports underneath in two car parks to the east and south west of the Isle of Anglesey county council headquarters,
“One thousand and sixty two pv panels would be installed and were expected to generate 389 mega watt hours of electricity each year and the life expectancy of the panels is 30 years.,” he said.
The solar panels would be constructed on 3.3m high poles with a clearance of 2.3m on one side and 3.3m on the other “so that cars can park underneath them.”
No parking spaces would be lost as a result of the development.
The electricity generated will power buildings linked to the council, any surplus electricity could be eventually sold back to the grid.
Although not a part of this application, the planning manager said a battery storage system could be installed in the future.
Local and national policy supported, the development of solar schemes “as long as they don’t have a detrimental impact on neighbouring areas.” He said.
Development on the industrial area was not considered to have impact on landscape, due to bio diversity or heritage impacts.
Mature trees and hedgerows bounded the car park, but would will “help alleviate any impact” he told the meeting.
And there would “no flickering or glare” on the highway, and no residential units nearby which could be affected, he said.
There were also no residential units nearby which could affected, he said.
As the industrial estate was at a distance it was also “not considered there would be any detrimental impact,” during the commissioning or construction of the solar panels.
A construction traffic management plan would be implemented before construction started.
“It will help the council to reach its net zero target and to generate renewable energy,” Mr Lloyd Jones said.
“The proposal does comply with policies, and the recommendation is for one of approval.”
Local member Cllr Geraint Bebb said:
“I really like this idea, that we put the solar panels above the car park, the cars parking underneath the panels would be kept cooler in the summer.
“I am happy to propose the officer’s recommendation and propose the application.”
It was seconded by Cllr Dafydd Roberts, but he added that “solar panels look better in urban areas rather than in the countryside.”
