Marlands
This project combines creating sustainable energy with nurturing an important meadow.
Our solar farm at Marlands has a capacity of 2.9MW. We’re also investing in the local biodiversity.
The construction of the solar farm was funded by Community Owned Renewable Energy LLP (CORE). Marlands receives no subsidy, so revenue depends on sales of electricity via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Ownership transferred from CORE to YCE in late 2023.
The land is managed to encourage wildlife and biodiversity, with the creation of species-rich wildflower meadows around the panels. The landowner, Gnaton Farms, is a family enterprise with over 40 years of experience. They’re committed to ecology and biodiversity, including sowing many hectares of wildflower meadows and restoring ancient orchards.
The farm is part of Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship scheme and has already given over 55 acres to meadows for bird food and nectar. The biodiversity improvements incorporated into the solar farm will help to build on this good work.
Our latest milestones
Annual Community Benefit Funding round
Calls for proposals from local organisations are made each year. 2024 awards have been made and the next call will be in February 2025 for applications to be made in april for energy and environment projects. For the details of the criteria and how to apply see https://www.yealmenergy.co.uk/documents
YCE Community Benefit fund has now closed for 2024 applications
Thank you to everyone who applied for a grant from YCE's Community Benefit fund. All applications will now be submitted to the committee for review. Announcements will be made in mid-June.
Only one week left till YCE's Community Benefit funding round closes.
Closing date for the 2024 round of Community Benefit funding is 21st April 2024. Good luck with your applications! Any applicant does need to show match funding. All guidance available on YCE's website.
YCE announces date of AGM
YCE invites all members to attend its first AGM as owners of 3 local solar farms. The AGM will be held on Tuesday 18th June 2024. 6pm start at Yealmpton Community Hall. Come and hear how busy the team have been on your behalf!
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We have made the news all over the UK today!
https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4166525/uk-solar-farms-transferred-community-ownership
YCE take ownership of 3 local solar farms.
YCE are delighted to announce completion of 3 local solar farms into community ownership. We would like to thank all of you that invested in our share offer to realise this long held ambition.
Share Offer is now closed.
A tremendous thank you to everyone who invested in YCE's share offer. The offer is now closed. YCE are delighted to have been able to secure the 3 local solar farms. What a journey this has been! We aim to complete on the purchases by the end of 2023.
Investor testimonial as we reach £400,000 raised on YCE share offer
£400,000 share raise milestone reached and a super testimonial from one of our investors. "YCE is an inspirational community endeavour. An initiative which will go down in the history of 'what did South Hams do to respond to the Climate Emergency?' as one of the most worthy of projects. My husband and I are investors. Proud to support a meaningful and well thought out project which aims to benefit local communities, can provide a return on investment as well as supporting ambitious renewable energy projects. I hope this is shared far and wide. Good luck to the A Team!!"
A total of 6,286 MWh in 4 months!
It has been an excellent Spring and Summer so far for sunshine, and the solar farms at Newton Downs and Creacombe & Marlands have been generating plenty of electricity to sell to the grid. Over the whole year they will produce the equivalent of about 4000 households, i.e. all of the houses in the 5 parishes.
Get involved
We launched a community share offer in 2023 to fund the transfer of three nearby operational solar farms into community ownership. The offer is now closed.
