It was a pleasure to interview Imogen Fawcett, Senior Account Manager for Copper Consultancy/RSK Group, at Solar and Storage Live in Birmingham this year!
Solar&StorageXtra is the new publishing part of the Solar and Storage Live event series where we will be interviewing our esteemed speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to get their live reactions to the event and the important discussions within the industry.
Imogen joined Solar&StorageXtra to highlight and debunk some of the most common myths within the Solar industry.
Firstly, Imogen highlighted the agricultural land debate around Solar PV farms. Some believe that the creation of Solar farms will hinder and negatively affect the agriculture industry as well as destroy the habitats of the wild creatures around the farm. This is simply not the case. When a Solar farm is in its development phase, a process is carried out to ensure agricultural practices and the wildlife around these sites are not affected.
Solar Energy UK published a report specifically addressing the agricultural land debate. The study found that 27.5% of people perceive the most important impact of Solar farms is on local wildlife, despite the fact there is clear evidence that ‘well designed, well managed solar can support wildlife habitats and can contribute to achieving national bio-diversity targets.’
The second myth Imogen wanted to debunk was about the location of Solar PV, addressing the location of ground mounted Solar PV farms more specifically. Solar PV farms cannot be built randomly, there are specific explanations why Solar PV projects go where they do.
Imogen explained that only 7% of the public can correctly identify the need of a grid connection when a Solar farm is being built. Education on the placement of Solar PV is one of the first steps in bringing the public on board with Solar PV generation.
“I am speaking on myth busting, the common myths we are facing in the Solar industry and how we can really address that through community engagement. Through community engagement we can bring the public along the ride and get Solar projects consented!” – Imogen Fawcett, Senior Account Manager for Copper Consultancy/RSK Group
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To enquire about interviews, submit news and press releases please contact our Editor, Regan Slaymaker, regan.slaymaker@terrapinn.com.For sponsorship and exhibition enquires please contact Tom Moon, tom.moon@terrapinn.com.
