The world's energy landscape is undergoing a revolutionary transformation, with renewable energy sources taking center stage in the quest for sustainable power solutions. However, renewable energy companies in the UK face a challenge: finding suitable land to build solar, wind and battery storage farms.

This involves navigating intricate planning constraints, local policies, and identifying optimal terrains. Fortunately, Searchland simplifies the search for viable farm sites, enabling renewable companies to achieve their green energy goals. 

In this blog, we explore 11 ways in which Searchland aids the renewable energy industry's quest for land, with a focus on solar & battery storage farms.

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1. Access to comprehensive DNO data ‍

Searchland offers the most up-to-date and comprehensive Distribution Network Operator (DNO) data insights in the site-sourcing industry, across England, Wales and Scotland. 

Covering all 14 DNO map areas, the tool provides information about suppliers, operators, substations, power lines, line voltages, towers, and tower voltages. This knowledge empowers developers to make informed decisions about site selection, grid integration, infrastructure planning, optimising project efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

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2. Filtering sites by proximity to substations & lines 

Our Sourcing Tool allows companies to identify plots within specific distances of substations and power lines. Closer proximity to substations reduces energy loss during transmission, ensuring more efficient energy distribution from solar & battery storage farms to the grid.

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3. Access to headroom rating & voltage group data

Searchland helps identify substations with available headroom capacity to accommodate additional energy supply. This ensures that farms can seamlessly integrate with the grid and contribute power sustainably.

Additionally, the tool provides information on voltage group data of nearby power lines and line taps, helping determine whether the existing infrastructure is conducive to solar farm development.

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4. Selecting the right terrain & panel-facing direction

Developing solar farms on flat land or south-facing sloped land maximises sun exposure and allows panels to be placed closer together. Searchland enables developers to filter land parcels based on terrain and slope angle, ensuring an enhanced land productivity. 

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5. Sourcing the right plot size

Solar & battery storage farm development typically requires larger plots of land compared to residential projects. On average, we see most plot size vary between 15-30 hectares. Searchland allows users to locate plots based on size and percentage of built up area, filtering only ideal opportunities.

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6. Navigating local policies

Local policies are often complex and challenging to navigate. Searchland simplifies this process by providing information about local planning regulations. The platform assists in finding land that aligns with policies, such as sites unsuitable for housing and adhering to agricultural land values.

Our AI tool also provides instant information you require from local council plan documents and their approach to renewable energy.

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7. Evaluating & filtering planning constraints

Developing solar & battery storage farms requires careful consideration of planning constraints, as certain areas may be unsuitable due to factors like flood zones, protected ecosystems, or heritage sites. With Searchland, you can find areas of unconstrained land, ensuring you are left with only viable opportunities development. 

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With our Sourcing Tool, you can filter plots matching to the above criteria, in order to source plots ideal for solar & battery storage farm development.

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8. Finding sites to power commercial areas directly 

The tool also assists in locating suitable land near commercial zones. This strategic approach enables renewable companies to directly supply power to commercial consumers, bypassing other energy providers and optimising energy distribution as well as profit. 

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9. Contacting landowners directly via the letter sending tool 

Our Direct-to-Vendor Letter Sending Tool streamlines the communication process by enabling companies to send letters directly to landowners for site acquisition or leasing purposes.

Additionally, letters can be sent to neighbouring site landowners, also making them aware of schemes, to build relationships and initiate collaboration before solar & battery storage farm development begins.

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10. Staying ahead of competition via planning applications insights 

To get ahead of competition,  companies can use our Planning Tool to review existing planning applications and other operational solar & battery storage farms. This insightful feature helps identify available space for new projects and seeing competitors progress, enhancing strategic decision-making.

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11. Identifying new substation development opportunities 

Searchland can also identify areas where substations are operating at full capacity and therefore, further solar farm development is not possible. 

Recognising these opportunities can allow for the development of new substations to address the existing demand. In turn, this then allows for further solar farm development opportunities, a win-win!

The renewable energy industry's growth hinges on the ability to identify suitable land for solar & battery storage farm projects. Searchland offers a comprehensive list of tools that allow renewable companies to source the best sites across the UK. From power infrastructure data insights to local policy navigation, Searchland redefines how renewable energy farm planning can be executed.

Interested in seeing what Searchland has to offer for your renewable energy company? Book a one-to-one demo of the platform with our team here.