In 2024, Energy Alton were asked to work with Community Energy South (CES) on a proposal for a solar farm between Farringdon and Selborne.

The farm land borders the Caker Stream, and is low grade farming land, outside the South Downs National Park, in an area designated by NHDC as suitable for Solar Farms.

The proposal is for a 44MW solar farm and a co-located battery energy storage system. It covers 160 ACRES of Solar, enough to generate clean power for the equivalent of c15,000 homes for 35 years  

Due to the way the development is being approached, the local community of EAST HANTS will be able to own part of the project, contribute to decisions about the project, and benefit directly from it if it performs well. 

The Shared Ownership model is widely used for wind farms in Scotland, but this will be one the first solar farms of this scale that is implementing it in England – making it highly innovative and exciting

The proposal is groundbreaking in its desire to include 10% community investment.

Energy Alton are leading the engagement with the local community, visiting Parish council meetings and providing local feedback to the developers during the planning application stage. We will ensure the community has an ongoing positive influence on the development and will also be responsible for managing the community benefit fund.

The development has its own website where more information and a timeline can be seen. https://cakerstreamsolar.co.uk/

Sign up to the Energy Alton newsletter to be kept informed, or let us know if you would like to volunteer to be more directly involved in the project.