Fast-growing solar energy generator Lightsource Renewable Energy, which has a satellite office in Bath, is to recruit staff on its 40 solar farms as they take on a wider role as a boost to the rural economy.
Lightsource believes that as well as helping address the UK’s electricity needs and aiding the drive towards cheaper, cleaner electricity, solar farms are also supporting the stability of the agricultural sector and creating jobs for rural communities.
Operations director Mark Turner said: “By March 2014 we will have to manage more than 4,000 acres of land responsibly and sustainably – a significant portion in the South West. That’s twice as much land as surrounds Blenheim Palace. You could think of us as a new breed of tenant farmer, and the biggest challenge for us is that our land is spread across the entire width and breadth of the UK. 
“Contrary to the unfounded opinions of some, solar farms do not harm the land they are installed upon. In fact they safeguard it for future generations and provide further options for farmland diversification like grazing small livestock or providing an ecological habitat for rare birds like the English Grey Partridge.”
The firm is starting with15 full-time positions with more to follow. These new specialist maintenance jobs will be created in the towns or villages near its operational solar farms and so will directly benefit the local economy.
Mark added: “Not only are we responsible for the maintenance and care of our solar farm infrastructure, we are responsible for land management activities as well including weeding, planting and ensuring any stock proof fencing is kept in good order.”
Lightsource recently joined the National Farmers Union to progress its land management aspirations and ensure their land holdings are managed to best benefit the rural economy.
“We have great aspirations for the future and we are seeking guidance from professional bodies like the NFU to ensure we do things right,” said mark.
“We want to show local communities that solar farms have huge tangible benefits aside from the clean electricity they generate. Some of our plans include our own livestock like sheep and also harvesting wild flower seed as there is a great shortage of indigenous seed in the UK. As all these activities require expertise, we will have to hire more local people to make this happen.”
The company has already created more than 150 full time jobs in the UK in just three years.
