A local energy group has been conducting a study to see if building a solar farm in Marlow is possible.

Marlow Energy Group (MEG) has identified an area of 8.4 hectares, a landfilled gravel pit, to the east of the A404, between Gossmore Lane and the River Thames the potential site near the A404

The group, which aims to reduce the town’s carbon footprint, secured funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) to undertake a study investigating the technical and economic feasibility of the solar farm.

Once published, MEG will hold a public meeting to cover the report in more detail and to give the chance to ask any questions.

A leaflet from the group reads: “Our vision is to generate clean, renewable electricity from the solar panels which will be owned and operated by a community owned enterprise.

“Unlike commercial solar farms, all profits generated from the solar power will be for the benefit of the Marlow and Little Marlow communities.”

However, the group has seen the report delayed over the last couple of months but has had “difficulties” getting responses from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). 

It continued: “Economic analysis for deriving community benefit from the solar farm will include, for example, a study of electricity income exported to the national grid and sold to consumers.

"In addition to the fixed returns to local investors, the project, being operated by a not-for-profit organisation, aims to provide any excess profits generated during operation as donations to fund local community-based projects to improve wellbeing.

"We will assess the potential for the solar farm to be directly connected to the Globe Park industrial estate, delivering affordable clean energy to local businesses.

"A solar farm is a temporary structure that will not damage the field, or its biological diversity.

"Should a solar farm become a practical proposition, we will implement a programme of wild flower and bush/tree planting, including the installation of bird and bat boxes, to increase on site biodiversity.

"We plan to consult with and involve local wildlife organisations like Wild Marlow and the RSPB to achieve a much higher biodiversity than currently exists."

In the town, there has been an increase in the number of people with solar panels in the last year.

Compared with June last year, this year’s figure shows an increase of photo-electric panels of 30%, from 1115 panels up to 1451 panels, and thermal water panels have increased by 5%, from 57 panels to 60 panels.

Since the survey, Spinfield School has also had 122 panels erected.