BBC's Top Gear studios, powered by the Sun!

The aerodrome at Dunsfold Park, more known as the home of BBC’s Top Gear test track and studios, made history last 28th of June, becoming one of the nation’s only business parks to be powered entirely on ‘green energy’.

Dunsfold Park's 2MW array as seen from the air
via Friends of the Earth

A total of 8,500 ground level solar panels have been installed in this aerodrome located in Cranleigh, Surrey. This solar array will produce up to 2MW, the energy needed to power approximately 67o homes. The siting of the solar panels, perfectly orientated to get the most of sunlight, makes it possible for the electricity generated during working hours to be used at businesses at Dunsfold Park and, at weekends and times of high supply, for the excess ‘green energy’ to be fed back into the National Grid. “Sustainability – and the green agenda – is the foundation on which we continue to build our business.” says Jim McAllister, Chief Executive of Dunsfold Park. “Our focus on green technologies that help to reduce the aerodrome’s carbon footprint is coming to fruition.“

The project was developed by Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd with funding provided by Octopus Investments. Together, both companies have already delivered a total of 13 large scale sites all along the UK, installing almost 130,000 solar panels which generate a total capacity of over 32MW.

The Mayor of Waverley, Cllr Tony Gordon-Smith, officially opens the Dunsfold solar panel installation alongside representatives from Dunsfold Park Limited and Lightsource Renewable Energy Limited via Dunsfold Park Website

Tags: National Grid, solar energy, solar energy UK, solar panels, solar panels uk, solar parks uk, top gear, top gear bbc, top gear solar panels, top gear uk