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SOLAR Β· OPERATIONAL

Maes Bach

Maes Bach is a 4.56 MW solar farm in Wales, operated by Lightsource BP. The UK government lists it as operational in its register of power stations (DUKES table 5.11, May 2025).

  • PV
  • Wales
Project stageOperating
  1. PlanningJul 2014 (completed)
  2. ConsentedDec 2014 (completed)
  3. ConstructionSep 2015 (completed)
  4. OperatingNov 2015 (current stage)
  5. Closed (not yet reached)

Planning dates from the Renewable Energy Planning Database; operating status from DUKES table 5.11.

Key facts

Installed capacity
4.56 MW
Status
Operational
Technology
Solar Β· PV
Operator
Lightsource BP
Region
Wales
Country
Wales
Grid connection (DUKES)
LV
Combined heat & power
No
Postcode
CF38 1SL
Coordinates
51.5639, -3.2916

Location

Map position from the published coordinates. For small sites this can be an approximate point rather than the exact boundary. Map Β© OpenStreetMap contributors.

How Maes Bach compares

493rd of 662largest solar farms in the UK register
56th of 75in Wales
0.08%of listed UK solar farms capacity
β‰ˆ 4.0 GWhillustrative output a year

At a typical UK load factor for this technology (about 10% of the maximum possible output), a 4.56 MW station would generate roughly 4.0 GWh of electricity in a year, similar to the annual use of about 1,480 homes at 2,700 kWh each. This is an illustrative estimate, not the station's metered output: real generation varies with weather, availability and grid constraints.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) sites generate electricity from sunlight. Panels produce direct current, which inverters convert to alternating current for the grid. Output follows daylight and the seasons, so annual generation is a small fraction of the maximum possible.

All UK solar farms Solar farms in Wales All run by Lightsource BP

Planning history

From the government's Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD), matched to this site by location, capacity and name.

Planning status
Operational
Site name in planning record
Maes Bach Farm
Developer / operator
Lightsource Renewable Energy
Planning authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Planning reference
14/1014/10
Application submitted
31 July 2014
Permission granted
30 December 2014
Construction started
16 September 2015
Began operating
19 November 2015
Capacity in planning record
4.9 MW
Address
Maes Bach, Willowford Road, Tonte, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, CF38 1SL
REPD reference
2243

Source

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), table 5.11: power stations in the United Kingdom β€” operational at end of May 2025. Capacity is installed capacity as published, not current output. Status reflects the source date, not live operation.
View the original source
Last checked by Octary: 15 July 2026

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