Powering the West Country with Solar

Wiltshire is one of the most promising counties for solar energy in the UK. With large swathes of open countryside and predominantly south-facing downlands, the potential for generation is immense. From the modern housing developments of Swindon and North Wiltshire to the historic streets of Devizes and Salisbury, homeowners are turning to Starks Solar to reduce their carbon footprint and insulate themselves against rising energy costs.

Rural Energy Security: Backup Power

Wiltshire has a high number of rural properties in areas like the Vale of Pewsey, the Nadder Valley, and the Wylye Valley. These locations are often fed by overhead power lines which can be vulnerable during storms. For our rural customers, we often recommend a "Hybrid" solar and battery system with Emergency Power Supply (EPS) capability. This ensures that if the grid goes down, your lights, fridge, and internet stay on, powered by your own battery reserves.

Ground Mounted Solar for Large Gardens

Unlike dense cities, many properties in Wiltshire—particularly in villages like Box, Ramsbury, and Downton—have substantial gardens. If you have a roof that is thatched, faces north, or is simply too beautiful to cover, a Ground Mounted Solar Array is an excellent alternative. We can install a discreet array at the bottom of your garden, trenching the cable back to your house. This often allows for a larger system size (e.g., 6kW-10kW) than a standard roof could accommodate, maximizing your energy independence.

Navigating AONBs and Conservation

Almost half of Wiltshire falls within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), including the North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds. Planning officers in these areas prioritize aesthetics. Starks Solar specializes in sympathetic installations. We use "All Black" panels that lack the intrusive silver grid lines of older models, and "In-Roof" systems (GSE Integration) that sit flush with the roof tiles. This attention to detail often makes the difference in gaining approval for installations in sensitive locations like Marlborough High Street or Bradford-on-Avon.

Combating the Jackdaw Threat

Ask any chimney sweep in Wiltshire about the biggest pest, and they will say Jackdaws. These intelligent birds are notorious for dropping twigs into chimneys, but they have also learned that the space beneath solar panels is warm and dry. Nesting birds can damage cables, reduce efficiency by blocking airflow, and create a fire hazard. Starks Solar includes heavy-duty bird mesh as a standard component of our installation service across the county, protecting your investment from day one.