Oakland Care Green Committee Visit Westmill Wind Farm and Solar Park

Oakland Care Green Committee Visit Westmill Wind Farm and Solar Park

Yesterday, the Oakland Care Green Committee embarked on an insightful field trip to Westmill Wind Farm & Solar Park in Watchfield, Swindon.

The Westmill Solar Co-operative, home to over 1,500 enthusiastic members dedicated to the advancement of community renewable energy, hosted the visit.

Located in Oxfordshire near the Wiltshire border, Westmill is a pioneering site with both wind and solar community-owned electricity generation. These groundbreaking projects were spearheaded by farmer Adam Twine.

Team members gathered for a delightful afternoon of sustainable learning and a shared lunch. The main highlight of the trip was the tour of the UK’s first and the world’s largest co-operatively run, community-owned solar farm.

Encompassing over 30 acres with 20,000 polycrystalline PV panels, the farm generates an impressive 4.8GWhr/year. This output is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 1,600 average homes and prevents 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The visit provided an in-depth understanding of both wind and solar community-owned electricity generation, as well as the rich history and innovative economics of the site.

The tour offered a range of highlights, including the opportunity to get up close and listen to the turbines, experience the impressive scale of the turbines and the solar park, and appreciate the open nature of the site. Moreover, participants learned about the intricate mechanisms of wind turbines and photovoltaic panels, as well as engaging in discussions on the need for sustainability.

The visit left the team members with a unique and thorough perspective on the inner workings of a wind farm and solar park, showcasing the remarkable potential and impact of renewable energy sources.