A new solar array has officially opened at Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire as part of the Army’s work to improve energy resilience on Salisbury Plain.
The installation covers 2.5 hectares, described as more than three football pitches, and includes more than 4,000 photovoltaic panels. It is expected to generate about 1.7 GWh of electricity a year, enough to power around 630 average UK homes annually.
Surplus electricity from the site will be redistributed through a private wire network to neighbouring camps at Bulford, Tidworth and Perham Down. The project is also expected to offset about 352 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.
Solar capacity at Larkhill has increased this year through the new ground-mounted array and four additional rooftop installations. The garrison achieved regular self-sufficiency for 73 days during peak daylight hours and exported surplus power to Bulford Camp.
The project was delivered by Aspire Defence Services Ltd on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. It was funded through the Army’s Project Prometheus, which is rolling out rooftop and ground-mounted solar technology across suitable Army estate sites.
Army and defence sustainability, strategy and infrastructure leaders attended the official opening. The Ministry of Defence said the project would increase renewable energy capacity while supporting resilience across the estate.
The array was built on unused green space within Larkhill Garrison. Defence officials linked the scheme to wider efforts to reduce costs, improve energy efficiency and support the UK target of achieving net zero emissions.