London’s Science Museum wins planning consent for UK’s largest solar farm

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Proposals to build the UK’s largest solar farm have moved one step closer to realisation after a local planning committee authorised planning consent for the proposed 40MW solar farm in Wiltshire.

The proposals have been brought forward by the Science Museum and Swindon Commercial Services, and will see 16,000 panels installed across the Museum’s big object store in Wroughton, Swindon.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The Science Museum in London can only display a small fraction of its collection at any one time and so uses a disused RAF airfield in Wroughton to store the rest. The Science Museum predicts that the large-scale solar installation will allow the group to become effectively carbon neutral. Although the Wroughton campus consumes minimal electricity, the Museum’s historic Kensington base is an extremely heavy consumer of electricity.

At a council meeting last night, Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee authorised the head of planning to approve the proposals. As a result, the plans will now be referred to the UK National Planning Casework Unit, which will have 21 days to review the application.

If approved, the proposed project would supersede the current largest solar park in the UK: Lark Energy’s 32MW development at Wymeswold Airfield, Leicestershire

Commenting on the decision to authorise the solar farm plans, Matt Moore, head of Wroughton site, Science Museum Group, said: “Solar farms should be sited appropriately and sensitively – this is a great location, it’s semi-industrial land, close to a major town. It will provide a secure and reliable income to help the Science Museum continue our work conserving the national collections and improving conditions on site.”

The 40MW solar farm will cover 67 hectares of unused land sited across the old airfield and is expected to produce enough electricity to power 12,000 homes a year. In addition, the developers will set up what is claimed to be the UK’s largest solar community benefit fund, worth £40,000 a year for the local area. Local residents will also be given the opportunity to invest directly in the solar farm, allowing them to take a stake in the project.

James Owen, commercial director at Swindon Commercial Services, added: “This project has had outstanding support from the local community throughout, so we are extremely pleased that Swindon Council has authorised its approval. Residents of Wroughton will benefit from a community fund of £40,000 a year, and it will help put Swindon on the map as a greener place to live and work.”

Read Next

July 1, 2025
Spanish independent power producer (IPP) Zelestra has secured financing and reached financial close for its 220MW solar-plus-storage plant in Chile.
July 1, 2025
Independent power producer (IPP) Arevon Energy has closed a US$600 million credit facility to support its solar PV and energy storage portfolio in the US.
July 1, 2025
The UK government has released this week (30 June) its Solar Roadmap, which sets out practical measures to meet the country’s solar PV targets.
July 1, 2025
Solar developer ib vogt has sold a 110MW solar PV plant in Spain to international fund NextPower V ESG, which is operated by investment firm NextEnergy Capital (NEC).
July 1, 2025
French private equity firm Ardian Clean Energy Evergreen Fund (ACEEF) has bought 117 solar PV plants, worth 116MW of total capacity in several locations in Italy.
July 1, 2025
Swedish independent power producer (IPP) OX2 has begun operations at a 100MW solar PV plant in Poland, its first project as an IPP.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece