The site is the largest solar farm in Europe to be built on a closed landfill site and is now providing an additional 59MWp (Megawatt peak) of renewable electricity capacity – enough to meet the energy demand from 15,000 homes.

The site at Ockendon, Essex, has been developed using the latest photovoltaic modules and is using 107,000 bi-facial solar modules, each rated at either 540Wp or 545Wp.

Waste company Veolia, which owns the site, said the modules absorb light on both sides to maximise the power density and are linked to inverters that convert DC to AC electricity. This is then fed to the National Grid via an on-site 132,000V transformer connected to the nearby Warley substation.

Capped landfill sites have become increasingly attractive locations for new solar power installations as they are often deemed unsuitable for residential or commercial construction.

But installing solar projects on landfills is a complex endeavour, with elements of permitting...