Britain’s largest community solar farm in north Devon is ordered to shut down for the duration of the first summer after concerns that it could overload the local electricity grid. The decision is made by the government’s energy system operator to prevent potential instability caused by high levels of solar generation in the area.
According to reporting, the solar farm’s operator says the shutdown timing is problematic, with members facing an estimated £2 million in lost revenue. The board argues the switchoff comes at a particularly unfavorable moment as conditions improve for solar output.
The outlet also links the concerns to broader grid warnings and stresses that the shutdown occurs before a period when record high temperatures in Europe have previously been associated with increased pressure on power systems. The specific risk described is that a combination of rooftop solar and large-scale generation could contribute to “thermal overload,” potentially affecting equipment and grid performance.
The shutdown is intended as a precautionary measure to avoid overloading the local network during the summer period.
