We’re expanding our existing solar array behind the Business Units in Crossapol to 150kW and adding a 50kW/102Kwh battery storage system. It’s a great new addition to our community-owned renewables.
This project marks the beginning of a new chapter as we prepare (well in advance!) to replace Tilley, who is gracefully approaching retirement. While we can’t replace Tilley with another turbine just yet, we can replace her with solar.
We got some additional questions from the community after we published the FAQs. You can find the answers here.
☀️ Why solar and not wind?
The short version: solar is simpler, faster, and more affordable right now. The slightly longer version:
- Grid constraints – anything over 200kW triggers costly reinforcement works. We can easily keep solar under this limit and still get good value for money – but for wind, we would need to install a wind turbine of a similar size or bigger than Tilley – 900kW. That becomes a mammoth project requiring substantial, and expensive reinforcement works to connect it to the grid.
- Planning permission complexity – wind turbines require a lot of paperwork and many years of behind the scenes work before they can be installed. For solar, planning permission is much more straightforward.
- Groundworks – wind needs deep, expensive foundations. Solar just needs a relatively flat site and some gravel.
- Logistics and ferry limitations – large wind turbines require massive cranes to build and have major repairs and getting those on the ferry is very difficult. Last time we needed this we had to charter a commercial barge at enormous cost. Solar panels and the related components can fit in a van, no crane needed!
- Speed – we need replacement generation now, and solar can be installed much quicker than wind.
- Diversification – Tilley’s had a few technical issues over the years. Solar gives us a more balanced energy mix.
💸 What will happen to the income from the new solar array?
It will go straight back into the community, supporting the Trust’s ongoing work and helping fund new projects.
📏 What’s the size of the new array?
We’re installing 336 ground-mounted solar panels, each rated at 455W. They’ll look a lot like the existing ones did – just more of them!
🌞 Wait, there’s already solar behind the Business Units?
Yes! There was small array tucked away back there already! The mountings we used (and are using for this expanded version) are very low-profile with minimal visual impact.
📍 Where will the new array be located?
Right behind the business units – as you can see in the drawing below, the blue boxes note the solar behind the business units.
🛠️ When is the installation happening?
You’ll notice folk on site from early November doing preparatory work – the full install will be complete by the end of February.
🌍 How much carbon will this project save annually?
Our estimate is 26.98 tonnes ever year – that’s the equivalent of planting 1,239 trees!
⚡ How much will the solar array generate?
Our estimate is 139.50 MWh – that would power a 3kW tumble dryer for nearly 5 and a half years.
🐝 Will wildlife be affected?
The site is not one that sees a lot of use by birds etc and there will be no impacts affecting beyond the site. We have discussed with RSPB, and there are some future ideas we could look at around making the site more supportive for the local bee population that we are passing to the Climate Adaptation group to consider.
💰 How is this project funded?
The majority of funding comes from Local Energy Scotland through the Scottish Government Community Renewable Generation Fund , with additional support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. We are very grateful to LES and HIE for their support on this project.
🧭 How will the money be spent?
Income from the solar array will be donated by TCEL to the Trust, which uses it to run current projects or save for future ones. Want a say in how it’s spent? Join the Board!
🏘️ Will this benefit the community directly?
The majority of funding comes from Local Energy Scotland through the Scottish Government Community Renewable Generation Fund , with additional support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. We are very grateful to LES and HIE for their support on this project. The Trust is only having to invest a small amount of funding itself, plus a lot of staff and board time!
⚡ Will the solar array power the Business Units?
Yes and no. For technical/billing reasons the units have their own separate supplies, and we can’t connect them directly, but we’re planning on setting up a Local Energy Market as an alternative. Tenants can join and benefit from lower rates if they want. The array will power the site sewerage system, and EV charger.
🔋 Is battery storage included?
Yes! We’re installing a 50kW/102KWh battery system to store excess energy and smooth out supply. This will also maximise the benefit of the solar generation to the on-site rapid EV Charger, and within a local energy market.
🌱 Are there plans for more renewables?
Yes – we’re actively working on installing more solar over the coming years as part of our wider plans to eventually “replace” Tilley. If circumstances change to make wind power more attractive an option again, we will look at that too. Other options have been considered (like tidal power), but the case doesn’t stack up for them for us to take further under current constraints and economic conditions.
Additional Answers
Thanks for all your questions! Keep them coming 🙂
🌱 How did the community get involved in planning this solar project?
Immediate residents were consulted by the planning department, we’ve been advertising the project as one we have been working on, and we keep Trust members updated through our newsletter. We also keep the wider community updated via An Tirisdeach and our social media accounts. Our most engaged members contribute by serving on the TCEL Board, who have extensively considered the project plan and advised throughout. If you’d like to help shape the future of renewable projects on Tiree, we’d love to hear from you – get in touch to learn more about getting involved!
🏡 Why were ground-mounted panels chosen instead of putting them on the roof?
Ground-mounted panels are much easier to maintain and repair. In winter, sending someone up a ladder in high winds isn’t safe. Plus, the roof space on the business units is limited and would not have been enough for the size of array we wanted to build – so ground mounting was the practical choice. We may look at doing some roof mounted panels for future projects!
📍 What made this location the best choice for the panels?
Most importantly, it is fairly flat and clear to the south! As the Trust already owned the land surrounding the business units (leased to TCEL), this made it the easiest and most cost-effective first option. Our funding covered the solar installation, but not buying additional land, so using our own property was the smart move. Plus, we had some of the necessary infrastructure (in particular, a new ground mounted transformer connected directly to the 11kV grid, and therefore with capacity to export the power) in place due to the existing small solar array and business units.
❄️ How much energy will the system produce in the winter?
More than you might expect! Given the site faces south, experiences no shadowing, and because Tiree often enjoys bright winter days we found the 6kW array that was on site was actually quite productive even over the winter months. Modern panels can make good use of indirect/diffuse light. Obviously, they will perform better in the summer!
💰 How long before it pays for itself?
Immediately! Thanks to generous support from LES and HIE, this project is fully funded. That means every penny earned from the solar array goes straight back into the community from day one. We estimate that an array like this should pay back its build cost within around 7 years, even without funding.
🌍 How does this project benefit the community overall?
The income from the solar array will help sustain essential services and future projects. These include:
- A filling station
- Youth worker
- Ranger
- Citizens Advice Bureau adviser
- Community-owned shop and business units
- Fishing harbours and moorings
- Community-owned minibus
- Gaelic development
- Climate action work
- Housing project
- Childcare services
- A potential community-run vet practice solution
We self-fund a significant portion of our work through Tilley. These services (and more) are possible because we have community-owned renewables. To maintain the same level of service we’ve historically provided, we need to ensure new renewable projects are in place before Tilley reaches retirement.
👀 What’s been done to minimise the visual impact of the installation?
While the panels will be visible if you are close to the site, we have chosen mounts that sit very low and blend in as much as possible (helps protect them from storm damage too!) Many people were not even aware the previous smaller array was there! Obviously the do take up a fair amount of land, but they have very little impact on the environment and it’s important to remember their presence helps sustain essential services and future projects that benefit everyone in the community.
🔮 Where will the next solar site be?
We already have planning permission for 50kW of solar behind the filling station. This will help protect the filling station from damage as a result of power cuts and surges, and we’ll add a battery system so EV charging can run on solar power, and so the filling station can still operate during a power cut. We’re currently working with SSEN to confirm what grid upgrades are needed before we start, but we are hoping we’ll some progress on this project soon. We are also starting to have discussions with other community groups about supporting them in putting in their own solar projects that will make them more financially secure too.
If you’ve still got questions, drop us a line – admin@tireetrust.org.uk and we’ll do our best to find the answer!
