Lightsource Renewable Energy has completed its 80th solar farm project in the UK, a 3MW site located in Cornwall.

The solar farm sits on six hectares of low-grade agricultural land which will be grazed by sheep. In addition to on-site biodiversity benefits, the local parish council will also receive a community benefits package of around £30,000 per annum for 10 years.

The developer acquired the rights for the project from Bristol-based developer TGC Renewables with Martifer Solar working as the EPC and O&M service provider.

Kareen Boutonnat, managing director for Lightsource explained that a significant appetite for solar farm developments remains at the company thanks to “a healthy pipeline of projects and a pool of trusted EPCs”.

Boutonnat added that the company is aiming to double its operational portfolio, which stands at over 300MW, over the next 12 months.

Lightsource’s 300MW+ portfolio has been a major driving force behind the enormous growth in large-scale solar developments in the UK which grew by 600% during 2013, driving the UK to a record 1.45GW of new solar PV capacity added.

Commenting on the role of utility solar in the UK, Ben Cosh managing director for TGC Renewables said: “Solar power is revolutionising the UK’s electricity generation mix as the EU increases its targets from 20% CO2 reduction by 2020 to 40% by 2030.”