Derril Water Solar Park has been bought by a cooperative society managed by Ripple Energy. Moreover, this coop uses a novel approach where members get their share of the generated power allocated to them and they get savings on their electricity bills according to how much power they generate and the value of that power.
Derril Water’s co-op is made up of over 9,000 households from all across GB. Each is looking forward to generating their own clean power.
Cooperative members recently entered into a construction contract with Ethical Power, a specialist solar firm located in the South West. Works started in June.
October update
DNO and customer substation building foundation works have commenced since the last update.
Access tracks and culverts are finished, except for the headwalls and the final layer. Fencing is progressing well, and we look forward to completing the sections that intersect with the existing hedges. Piling is 90% complete across the site. The mounting structure and excavation of trenches for cabling have begun, and we expect to install the PV modules in approximately two weeks.
To date, the delivery of PV modules is progressing well, with 100% of the modules shipped. The final batch is expected to arrive on-site in mid-November. The units received have been successfully unloaded and distributed throughout the site. Delivery of the structural materials is ongoing, with approximately 75% currently available. Additionally, the medium-voltage switchgears have been received.
In the coming months, we will continue with cable trenching and flagging, as well as excavation and foundation works for the MV Switchgears. The construction of the DNO building will start, and panels will continue to be delivered to the site. Overall, the project is progressing steadily, and teams are focused on maintaining momentum as we move into November, ensuring all tasks are completed efficiently and on schedule.
August update
Following the completion of road works and site entrances, onsite work has started, including constructing access tracks. These tracks are being built at a rate of approximately 100 meters per day. The northwestern section of the site has been completed, and the southwestern section is expected to be finished by the third week of August.
The National Grid has also finished cabling works and backfilled their joint stations. Temporary ‘trackway’ mats are being installed in fenced compound areas. String inverters are scheduled for delivery by the third week of August.
The first batch of solar panels has already arrived on-site and is undergoing inspection and proper storage.
The mounting racks for the panels are due to start arriving in the coming weeks and mechanical and electrical work will start at the end of August.
It’s going to be a busy couple of months with completing the track construction works, installing fencing, assembling panel racks, laying CCTV cables through trenches, delivering transformers and switchgears, and constructing the substation foundation.
Additionally, panel deliveries to the site will continue. Remember, Derril Water Solar Park is Ripple Energy’s first exciting shared solar project in the UK. Members not only benefit from clean energy but actually own this project.
If you have any concerns or need to report special events in the area that might affect works, please reach out to DerrilWater@RippleEnergy.com.
July update – Road Works and Closures
Road closures will soon come to an end, and we are pleased to announce that passing places and site entrances have been finalised. We appreciate the suggestions made by members of the community to enhance the safety of these passing places, as well as your patience during this period. Subject to approval from the Highways Authority, we do not anticipate any further adjustments that would significantly impact traffic.
On-site, National Grid has completed the installation of their trenches, ducts, and cables from the Pyworthy substation to the solar park substation. Over the next few weeks, they will continue to backfill the joint bays.
Additionally, the areas of archaeological interest on site have been fenced and secured to prevent plant machinery from encroaching.
The site’s entrances are marked with red arrows on the map provided, and the Welfare units and site compounds are shown. These temporary units will support the staff during the project’s construction.
In the coming weeks, we will set up the welfare units, fence the entire perimeter, and construct the internal tracks to facilitate the later arrival of material batches.
Work on the solar park site will commence once the Highways Authority conducts a visual inspection and approves the completed road works.
Remember, Derril Water Solar Park is Ripple Energy’s first exciting shared solar project in the UK. Members not only benefit from clean energy but also share ownership.
Important: Local properties and emergency services will continue to have access throughout the duration of the works.
If you need to inform the contractors about any special events that may require consideration, or if you have any concerns about the workers’ conduct on-site, please contact DerrilWater@RippleEnergy.com.
Community Benefit Fund
A community benefit fund of £42,000 per annum will be available following the first year of operation of the solar park. Furthermore, it is the intention that GrantScape will manage the fund as they are highly experienced in this field and are already doing this role for other projects in the wider area. Please note that GrantScape have been in touch with a couple of representative local councillors. They represent Pyworthy and Bridgerule and will make introductions.
