One of the largest local authority owned solar farms in the UK has exceeded expectations and generated more than £1.5m of income in its third year – around £100,000 more than anticipated.
The 12.4MW solar farm at Toggam Farm in Lakenheath has raised nearly £4m for West Suffolk Council since it was started in August 2016 thanks to sales to the National Grid.
West Suffolk Council calculates that the solar farm has generated £560,000 towards the funding of frontline services this year alone bringing the total amount raised in three years to £1.2m.
Over the last 12 months the solar farm generated 12,631MWh of electricity against a target of 11,591MWh. This is enough to power around 3,300 homes and offset carbon dioxide emissions from 1,500 cars.
Cllr Sarah Broughton, cabinet member for performance and resources at West Suffolk Council, said: ‘This is just one of the many ways the council is not only successfully reducing our impact on the climate but also creating an income stream to support services and other ambitions.’?
