Tophams Solar Farm
Tophams Solar Farm is a renewable energy development located on land west of Ashwell Road, Bygrave, Hertfordshire, SG7 5EB.
The project will generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 15,700 homes each year, while preventing around 11,300 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
This is equivalent to removing approximately 2,450 family cars from the road network each year. Alongside supporting the transition to net zero, the scheme will deliver meaningful enhancements to local biodiversity.
A planning application for the project was submitted in April 2022 [Ref: 22/00741/FP] and was approved by North Herts Council in April 2024. You can view the planning application here.
Planning permission has been secured, and construction is soon to commence. Updates on progress will be shared here to keep the local community informed.
Construction Update
We’re pleased to share that construction works will be commencing shortly.
Preparations are now in place, and the team will soon be starting on site as the project moves into this next phase.
We’ll be providing regular updates here as works progress, so please check back to follow along.
Figure 1. Construction Route
Contact Us:
A 24-Hour Emergency Contact is currently being organised for the commencement of construction.
General Enquiries
Indicative Timeline
Enabling Works to be Conducted Prior to Starting on Site (April-July 2026)
Early-stage enabling works will be carried out to prepare the site.
The cable route is to be completed by an Independent Network Operator under their statutory powers as an electricity undertaker
Official On-Site Construction Start | Likely July 2026
Works will include civil engineering and the following:
Site Preparation & Groundworks
Access Tracks
Perimeter Fencing
CCTV
Foundations for Ancillary Buildings
Piling for Module Frames
Module & Mounting System Delivery Period | TBC
Array Framing Installation | TBC
Solar Panel Assembly | TBC
Testing and Commissioning | TBC
Landscaping (According to Planting Season) | Timing as aligned with the planting seasons
Seeding and planting of site and boundaries
Implementation of a custom planting plan
Planting at the next suitable opportunity if outside of ideal planting seasons