BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
A brighter, community-powered future is on the horizon for the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Plans for what will become the country’s largest entirely community-owned solar farm are officially moving ahead, with the Glenkiln solar project recently securing planning approval — a major milestone for the island and its people.
Led by Arran Community Renewables (ACR), the six-megawatt solar farm is expected to begin construction in the coming years and could be up and running by 2027. Once complete, it will generate enough clean electricity to power around 1,250 homes each year, which provides a meaningful boost for local energy resilience. Stretching across 8.6 hectares (20 acres) and featuring about 10,000 solar panels, the project reflects a growing movement toward renewable solutions designed not by outside developers, but by the communities who stand to benefit most.
“With this decision, we move one step closer to realizing the full potential of true community-led renewables and the benefits that a project like this can bring to the island,” said Chris Grainger, director at ACR, in an interview with Energy Global. “The hard work is not over, but we look forward to the next stage — securing construction finance, growing our local membership, and getting boots on the ground.”For the people of Arran, the project is not just about clean energy — it’s about ownership, self-sufficiency, and the power of coming together to shape a more sustainable future.
Powering homes, supporting local farmers, and boosting biodiversity
The Glenkiln project is about more than just energy. Its design intentionally incorporates biodiversity benefits and agricultural use, with plans to maintain sheep grazing between the solar arrays. This dual-purpose approach ensures that the land remains productive while also contributing to Scotland’s renewable energy goals.
Kenneth Bone of Glenkiln Farm, who is leasing the land for the solar development, highlighted the complementary nature of the project alongside the farm’s existing hydro scheme. “The solar farm will complement our existing hydro scheme perfectly, with hydro generating power during wet periods and solar in drier spells,” Bone explained. “Another benefit is that the layout of the solar panels allows us to continue to graze sheep between the solar panel arrays. Together, both schemes on the farm will contribute significantly to Arran becoming net-zero.”
Driving Scotland toward its climate goals
As Scotland works toward its target of net-zero emissions by 2045, projects like Glenkiln represent a promising path forward. Community ownership ensures that the financial benefits of the project remain local, strengthening both the economy and the region’s energy resilience.
“This project is a stellar example of a community taking the lead in the renewable energy transition, ensuring that the long-term benefits are shared equitably and sustainably,” said Morven Lyon, Head of Democratic Finance at Development Trust Association (DTA) Scotland.
While some renewable energy initiatives in Scotland have faced pushback—particularly regarding the use of farmland and the reliability of solar in a rainy climate—supporters of the Glenkiln solar farm remain confident in the project’s design and community-driven mission.
With the planning green light secured, ACR is now focused on the next phase: raising construction funds and building strong local participation through its community share offer. The hope is that this project will not only supply clean, reliable power but also serve as an inspiring model for future community-led renewable developments across the UK.
