Project Overview

An independent feasibility study, commissioned by Westmorland & Furness Council and carried out by Arthian Ltd (October 2025), has confirmed that community-owned solar energy is viable for Skirwith.

What Would Be Built

Two solar installations:

System	Capacity	Annual Generation	Capital Cost	Payback
Ground-mounted array	100 kWp	102,674 kWh/yr	~£100,000	10.6 years
Roof-mounted panels	101.5 kWp	88,432 kWh/yr	~£121,800	13.8 years
Combined	201.5 kWp	191,106 kWh/yr	~£222,000	~12 years

The ground-mounted array would sit on agricultural land near the northern edge of the village. The roof-mounted panels would use existing farm buildings. Both sites have been assessed for suitability, access, and grid connection proximity.

Environmental Impact

Grid Connection

The feasibility study identified two viable grid connection points on the existing 11kV overhead line: node 730314 (western junction) and node 730310 (eastern junction). The central substation (666026) is constrained, but these alternative nodes offer workable routes.

Why Not Wind?

The study assessed wind generation but concluded it was less suitable because Skirwith lies within a Conservation Area (significant visual impact and planning constraints), and solar offers a better balance of cost, planning feasibility, and community acceptance.

Heating

The study also recommends a phased transition from oil heating to air source heat pumps, on a household-by-household basis. Five homes and the village hall already have heat pumps. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 per household towards installation costs.

Project Timeline