Little Drum Solar Farm Proposal
What is proposed?
The proposal takes in approximately 75 hectares and this will include areas for habitat enhancement such as wildflower meadow planting and hedgerow and native tree planting.
There will be approximately 75,000 fixed panels and these will be set on frames in rows and face south. The panels will be raised above the ground by around 0.5m and will have a maximum height of approximately 3.5m. The land between the rows and under the panels will be planted as a species diverse grassland and will continue to be grazed.
The design will retain the existing trees and hedgerows and will include new native tree and hedgerow planting. The topography of the landscape is well suited for a solar farm and the panels will be near the existing turbines on the farm.
The solar farm will have a lifetime of 40 years. There are no foundations for the solar panels and, at the end of the lifetime, the panels can be easily removed - all equipment and structures are removed from site.
Environmental gains
Grupotec’s consultants are actively working to develop nature-based solutions to enhance and protect the natural environment and improve local biodiversity at the site.
The land under and between the solar panels can be planted with species-rich grassland and can increase the local biodiversity on site.
The proposal for Little Drum will include the creation of new habitats.
Screening Report
Please click on the button below for the Screening Report for Little Drum Solar Farm:
Net Zero targets
The Scottish Government and UK Government have both set targets to be a net zero country - the Climate Change Act 2019 commits Scotland to net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
Although our energy system is already being decarbonised, it is expected that the demand for electricity will grow in the coming years due to the expected increase in heat pumps and electric vehicles across the UK.
The Scottish Government, in its forthcoming Energy Strategy, recognises renewable generation will need to increase substantially between now and 2030 and that solar will play an important role to achieve their targets, with the Scottish Government stating the target of 6GW of solar in Scotland.
Dumfries & Galloway Council Climate Emergency
Dumfries and Galloway Council declared a Climate Emergency in June 2019.
In agreeing the Declaration, the Council recognised that this represented a radical and comprehensive step change in the Council's approach.
The Little Drum Solar Farm would provide an important contribution to Dumfries and Galloway Council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency, increase renewable energy and improve local biodiversity.
Next Steps for the Project?
We will hold consultation events in September and October 2024 and expect to submit an application to Dumfries & Galloway Council later in 2024.
The local authority will undertake its own consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees as well as local residents before making a decision on whether the solar farm should go ahead - this will likely take place in 2025.