Solar Power Land Suitability (IRENES)

Introduction

This dataset provides the locations of areas that restrict the suitability of land for solar PV developments; such as roads, residential areas, world heritage sites, agricultural land, and flood zones. In addition, it calculates the potential energy density of over 3.5 million individual areas for both solar and wind installations using windspeed and solar irradiance data.

This results in an overall assessment of the suitability of a specific area for installing solar and wind generation. The assessment grades land as either YES – suitable, No – not suitable, or MAYBE – could be suitable.

This dataset was developed for UK Power Networks licence area by UEA Consulting Limited. It is based on public domain sources and previous analysis that was carried out as part of the IRENES EU Interreg project which examined renewable energy sources in eastern England.

Methodological Approach

To view the methodology behind this data please click here.

This dataset displays the solar PV data, click here for the wind data.

Quality Control Statement

This dataset is provided "as is".

Assurance Statement

The Open Data Team and Local Net Zero Team worked together to ensure data accuracy and consistency.

Other

Download dataset information: Metadata (JSON)

Definitions of key terms related to this dataset can be found in the Open Data Portal Glossary: https://ukpowernetworks.opendatasoft.com/pages/glossary/