A SOLAR farm in Tytherington has been sold to a German firm for an undisclosed amount.

Hanwha Q CELLS has acquired the rights to build the Tower Hill solar farm from Green Hedge (formerly AEE Renewables).

Planning permission to build the 6.46 MW solar farm in Tytherington was granted by South Gloucestershire Council in October 2014 and it is expected that it will provide enough electricity for over 1,800 households.

Green Hedge will continue to stay involved with the projector as operations and maintenance sub-contractor.

As part of its agreement with Green Hedge, Hanwha Q CELLS has also confirmed that following connection of the solar farm to the electrical grid, expected in March 2015, and until the decommissioning of the solar farm in 25 years’ time, an inflation linked annual payment of £5,810 will be provided to and shared between Thornbury Town Council and Tytherington Parish Council. The funds, approximately £145,250 over the lifetime of the solar farm, will be used for the benefit of local residents.

Tess Sundelin, managing director at Green Hedge, said, “We are delighted that Hanwha Q CELLS will now take on the project and see the Tower Hill solar farm through construction and into the operating phase. The solar farm will be a significant source of green electricity for South Gloucestershire and provide important financial benefits to the local community. We are also delighted to continue our own involvement as operations and maintenance sub-contractor.”

Kieron Kane, head of project development UK at Hanwha Q CELLS, said, “We are very happy about realising the Tower Hill Solar Farm in cooperation with Green Hedge. The project will further deepen Hanwha Q CELLS´ footprint as a provider of reliable Power Plant Solutions to our customers, communities and our partners in the UK.”