Do solar farms need a drainage strategy?

All solar farm applications should provide a drainage strategy as well as a land management strategy as these are crucial when assessing the surface water flood risk associated with these sites.

Can a solar array be drained?

It will generally be acceptable to secure drainage arrangements for a solar array development with appropriate planning conditions unless detail is provided at the outset that removes the need for conditions to be required. Any formal drainage on a site may utilise connections to local watercourses.

How do solar panels increase discharge rates and volumes?

Significant ways that discharge rates and volumes are increased further is through the subsequent creation of drainage channels and/or poor land management. The surface water usually flows from the surface of the solar array to the areas in between the rows with an increased kinetic energy.

Can a solar farm interrupt overland flow through a development site?

This guidance note has been produced to assist in planning response and for applicants who wish to submit a planning application for the development of solar farms. Solar farms may be substantial in size and have the potential to interrupt overland flow routes across a development site.

Does a photovoltaic panel reduce runoff and sediment in a slope?

The impact of a photovoltaic (PV) panel on runoff and sediment in a slope was tested. The key impact of the PV panel is preventing soil detachment by raindrop impacts. The PV panel slope produced 27 %−63 % less soil erosion than the control slope. The PV panel delayed runoff start time under rainfall with heavy rainfall intensities.

How do you model a solar PV system?

Modelling the spatial layout of a PV System requires site survey input data such as topography, soil resistance, etc. along with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) analysis to identify the optimal placement of multiple solar PV panels.