Children from three primary schools came together to help plant a greener future for their local community when they visited one of Dorset’s newest solar farms.
Pupils from Wool Primary, St Mary and St Joseph School in Wool and Bovington Primary were invited by Good Energy to help plant trees at Woolbridge Solar Farm, which began generating electricity last year.
The pupils joined forces with the energy company to help dig the foundations that will eventually see 540 new trees planted on the site near Wool.
The trees, along with 7,000 new hedgerow plants, are being introduced to further enhance the existing mature planting.
Good Energy is planting a variety of native species including English oak, crab apple, field maple and hazel, which help to enhance the biodiversity.
Hugo House, Good Energy senior project developer, said: “We‘re keen to involve local schools in our work here at Wool so that the younger generations can discover at first hand, the benefits of renewable energy and the difference it can make to them in the future.”
As well as planting new trees and hedgerow at the site Good Energy is also installing bird and bat boxes, a wildlife shelter for reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates and is growing a new grassland and wildflower meadow.
The 18,500 solar panels on the 34-acre site are capable of generating over 5,500 MWh of electricity every year – enough power for around 1,500 average homes.
As well as providing roof solar panels for all three schools, Good Energy is also giving an annual £5,000 community fund to the local parishes for the 30 year lifetime of the scheme.
Local groups and charities can now apply for a share in the first instalment of this funding by emailing the East Stoke and Wool Community Chest at contacteswcc@gmail.com.
