Project background
Balhearty Solar Farm in Clackmannanshire has 5 MW of solar infrastructure installed with a declared net capacity of 4.2 MW on existing farmland. This is located just outside the centre of Stirling. Balhearty Solar Farm was an existing solar farm prior to RSK Renewables (then Absolute Solar and Wind) working on it. There had been extensive damage from a storm that destroyed most of the farm, including the piles, panels and all associated cabling. Balhearty is owned by NextEnergy Solar Fund (NESF), with NextEnergy Capital acting as investment adviser.
Scope of services
Balhearty Solar Farm consists of 8528 modules, pile driven in a two-in-portrait system. These are connected to 12 Sungrow 350 kW inverters distributed throughout the array and the inverters are connected to a Sungrow medium-voltage station to convert the power to 11 kV to then connect to the grid. RSK Renewables had to remove some of the cabling works from the prior storm-damaged system, and piling was challenging in areas. Piling was deeper than standard depths to meet design parameters for wind loading. NextEnergy is a well-established fund in the solar industry and the team had to learn how to comply with its documentation and processes.
The system will be connected back into the distribution network operator’s private supply to ultimately feed back into the grid.
All the products we supply and install carry an associated manufacturer’s guarantee against manufacture defect. In addition, we will look after the operations and maintenance for the next two years, which will include everything from grass cutting to maintaining the HV and LV side of the installation.
Impact and challenges
The Balhearty Solar Farm project offered valuable opportunities for proactive community engagement, with our team maintaining open communication and positive relationships with local residents throughout the build.
Strong logistics planning was essential, and the team effectively coordinated the continuous flow of panel deliveries while keeping on-site operations running smoothly.
Our site manager played a pivotal role, overseeing all daily activities – from inductions to permits – and ensuring subcontractor works were completed to a high standard.
The team really enjoyed the chance to deliver our first solar farm projects with NextEnergy Capital. Collaborating with a new client always has its challenges, and with NextEnergy being an industry leader, it introduced new approaches that we have since embedded across our wider project portfolio. We look forward to continuing to develop this strong partnership with NextEnergy.
“RSK RENEWABLES DEMONSTRATED STRONG LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE IN RESTORING BALHEARTY SOLAR FARM FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT STORM DAMAGE. ITS COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, ATTENTION TO QUALITY AND COMMITMENT TO MEETING OUR STANDARDS ENSURED THE PROJECT WAS DELIVERED SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY. WE VALUE THE PARTNERSHIP AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER ON FUTURE PROJECTS.”
Joshi Bhagyashri, Vice President of Commercial – and Construction at NextEnergy Capital.
Adrian Strudwick, Managing Director at RSK Renewables
“Working with NextEnergy Capital, RSK adapted to new procedural requirements and gained valuable experience. Despite logistical challenges – including managing multiple daily deliveries and coordinating subcontractors – the project was completed successfully. Balhearty Solar Farm now stands as a symbol of resilience and collaboration, with RSK providing two years of ongoing operations and maintenance.”
Michael Ralph, Finance Director at RSK Renewables
A strong partnership for the future
“This project marked our first collaboration with NextEnergy Capital, and it proved to be a rewarding partnership. By aligning on expectations and sharing best practices, we strengthened our internal processes and set a new benchmark for how we deliver solar projects.”
“Today, Balhearty Solar Farm stands not only as a symbol of renewable energy and resilience but also as proof of what can be achieved through collaboration and commitment.”
“RSK Renewables looks forward to continuing ITS partnership with NextEnergy Capital, delivering more high-performing solar projects that help power a cleaner, greener future.”