Case Study - Inchinnan Solar Park
Milestone Agreement with Aggreko UK
In September 2024, Mac Mic Group entered into an agreement with Aggreko UK for 45-year period, to develop a solar park in Renfrewshire.
Setting the standard
In January 2022, the project was granted planning permission by Renfrewshire Council with the council’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board commending the development as a benchmark for future projects in the area. This development exemplifies Mac Mic Group’s ability to create innovative land uses that deliver significant public benefits. The team at Mac Mic secured both planning permission and grid connections for the Inchinnan solar park.
Green credentials
The development will be capable of generating up to 20 megawatts of clean energy, which can be fed back into the electricity grid. When completed, the park will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of over 5,000 properties. This zero-carbon development will make a contribution to Scotland’s net-zero targets, preventing the release of over 2,800 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Located between Greenock Road and Houston Road, the solar park has been carefully designed to minimise its impact on the local environment. Mac Mic Group’s project team, including expert landscape architects and ecologists, prioritised enhancing biodiversity. By embracing the requirements of the NPF4, the plans include various measures to protect and improve the natural habitat.
To ensure optimal environmental impact, Mac Mic Group collaborated closely with local experts, including the RSPB and NatureScot. Through on-site surveys, the RSPB identified key areas for habitat enhancement. The site supports a diverse bird population, including whooper swans, wading birds and birds of prey.
To support birdlife, the design includes bird boxes and shallow scrapes in the soil to provide suitable habitats for wading birds. These simple yet effective measures will positively contribute to the site's biodiversity.
The site's current arable nature provides a natural food source for whooper swans after harvest. In collaboration with the RSPB, Mac Mic Group implemented an additional conservation measure by designating areas outside the solar park for sacrificial crops, see plan below. These dedicated food sources will further enhance the site's ecological value.
To the north of the site, the company have incorporated areas of scrub, native broadleaf woodland and riparian woodland to enrich the local ecosystem. Existing hedgerows and trees will be preserved to create a natural boundary, while the solar panels, mounted on low-profile frames, will cover only 51% of the site, allowing for sufficient sunlight to reach the ground and support local wildlife.
