The growing importance of a ‘community-first’ approach to solar

Solar is often framed from a national or global vantage point – each solar farm a pixel in the wider picture of decarbonisation. That perspective is vital, but it’s only half the story.

The Bluefield Group of companies encompasses the full value chain of the renewables industry, from development and construction, through to investment, asset management and operation. This provides us with a unique lens through which to view the industry. 

From a developer’s perspective, the area in which I work in at Bluefield, it’s equally important to look at projects from the ground up as it is from the top down; to understand how each project sits within its local landscape, interacts with its surroundings, and earns its place in the community. A ‘community-first’ approach isn’t just about engagement – it’s about designing solar schemes that reflect local priorities, deliver tangible benefits, and build lasting trust

This experience offers valuable insights to LGPS investors, who are navigating increasing expectations to invest locally, while also facing scrutiny from political parties such as Reform UK — which holds five seats in Parliament — questioning the role of renewable energy in public portfolios. That’s why sustained, direct engagement with local communities is essential: not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a way to ensure residents feel genuinely included in the journey and see their priorities reflected in the final scheme.

To do this, our team will typically reach out to local residents at the outset of the project, host public exhibitions and attend local parish council meetings throughout the development process.  We’ll also send introduction letters to local households within the immediate radius of the site, providing an overview of the project and an indicative construction timeline. These actions and the dialogue that emerges from them are crucial in helping us design projects that take account of local concerns and to create a connection between the site and its surroundings. It is a dialogue that we endeavour to maintain throughout the construction phase and into operation which, depending on a variety of factors, can take a number of years allowing us to build relationships and become more entrenched in the community.

It is during this period that we proactively identify different ways in which the community may benefit from the solar farm beyond its headline aims of decarbonisation and energy security. These can range from broader initiatives, such as working with nearby schools to facilitate site visits and learning about solar energy, to activities aimed specifically at local enhancements.  

This community-first approach not only strengthens local relationships but can also de-risk the planning process and help avoids delays, which ultimately creates a more sustainable environment for investors and helps mitigate any reputational risk associated with the development.

Listening, then acting 

A recent example of the former can be found at Yelvertoft solar farm, a 50MW site in Northamptonshire which Bluefield co-developed with Lightrock Power.

Through consultation with residents, it quickly became clear that one of the key concerns from the area was flooding. Whilst we knew the solar farm was unlikely to make this situation worse, we identified an opportunity to mitigate this concern in conjunction with the development of the site. 

All solar farm developments are required to prepare a Flood Risk Assessment to assess how vulnerable the site is to floods, whether any development will have an impact and advise on drainage, should this be required. Our assessments consistently show that arable land tends to be more susceptible to flooding, owing in part to years of fertiliser and pesticide use which erodes soil quality and its ability to retain water, as well as such fields often being left fallow from Autumn to Spring. As a result, flood water passes through it with relative ease and cansoon become a problem for local residents. 

Now, there are several aspects of a solar farm which may help address this issue. 

For instance, our typical proposals for new sites will recommend that the ground remain vegetated with grass and wildflowers all year round. This means that the soil is not to be ploughed, enabling roots and worms to naturally improve the soil’s properties and, as a result, its ability to absorb rainfall, reduce runoff, and avoid silt runoff. As a bonus, wildflowers also capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, adding to the site’s decarbonisation profile. 

Where we able to go beyond our typical practices for the Yelvertoft project, and those flagged within the Flood Risk Assessment, was by introducing a sustainable drainage strategy for the site. This came in the form of significant swales, which are a shallow and typically vegetated channel dug into the land, which gather and filter stormwater runoff. This was designed to provide additional water storage upstream and again slow the flow of water towards Yelvertoft. 

The result has, thus far, been very positive and has limited the flooding that had previously impacted the area. In fact, one member of the Yelvertoft Environmental Group, an alliance of climate-conscious residents from the surrounding area, fed back to us that: “many residents expressed their gratitude that the flooding issues we have had for years seem to have reduced considerably”.

The need to go further

This is one small example of how meaningful local engagement can deliver positive outcomes, for us as developers, and for the communities with whom our solar farms become deeply connected.

As the industry matures, there’s a growing opportunity to go further: to embed community-first thinking not just in the early stages of development, but throughout the full lifecycle of a site. We invest heavily in groundwork during the pre-construction phase, and there’s real scope to extend that commitment into operations, ensuring that residents remain part of the journey, whether through updates on energy output, biodiversity gains, or wider site benefits.

The story doesn’t end when a site is energised. In fact, that’s when a new chapter begins -one where long-term stewardship, transparency, and local relevance become even more important. As public narratives around solar and renewables continue to evolve, it’s vital that we stay visible, proactive, and rooted in place.

That means continuing to engage – locally and nationally – to ensure solar farms deliver tangible, lasting value for their surrounding areas. It means making space for dialogue, celebrating shared wins, and keeping communities informed and involved.

Solar cannot be faceless infrastructure. It must be recognisable, relatable, and rooted in place. By backing local projects, LGPS investors can help bring these assets closer to the communities they serve. A community-first approach doesn’t just build trust – it fosters resilience, unlocks new partnerships, and ensures every site tells a story worth sharing.