Aberdeenshire 'could receive cheap energy from solar farms' - 11/01/2011

Customers who compare energy in Aberdeen could soon see a range of solar farms being installed around the area.

According to the Press and Journal, submissions for five separate green energy sites have been put to Aberdeenshire Council, with the view to building 350 solar panels on each farm.

Andy Edgar, the group manager for TNEI Services, which is behind three of the applications, told the newspaper: "The panels are mounted on tables three or four metres (10ft-13ft) off the ground and tilted southwards. There would be rows erected in fields and connected up to the national grid with underground connection."

He believes that solar farming could start to catch up with the north-east's wind turbine energy sector this year.

The three applications submitted by TNEI would see solar farms being built at Kinknockie Farm in Clola, Brae of Coynach Farm in Clola and Lunderton in St Fergus if approved.

Two other sites could also be deployed at the old Crimond airfield and at Aldie Farm in Cruden Bay, if counsellors give permission to proceed.

Alternative energy sources are becoming more popular as energy suppliers see the commercial value in going green.

Switching to a green energy tariff can slash your CO2 footprint by two tonnes and also save you £100s a year! Click here to compare green energy tariffs.