Showground soaks up the sunshine thanks to Clwyd’s Solar panels

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) invested in a new roof mounted solar project following a fundraising campaign by former Royal Welsh Show feature county Clwyd.

The solar panels, which have a 350kWp installed capacity, are situated on the roof of the cattle and sheep buildings on the Royal Wesh Showground in Llanelwedd and were installed just before the 2023 show.

To recognise Clwyd’s fundraising efforts, a plaque was unveiled by Harry Fetherstonhaugh, formerly RWAS president and show director, alongside a digital screen that shows the total power produced by the panels and the CO2 reduction.

The solar total yield so far is almost 300,000kWh, which could provide enough to power approximately 100 homes.

The RWAS is proud that all the permanent power used on the showground comes from 100% renewable sources, either through its own on-site generator or energy supplier.

RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones said: “This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, and we are extremely grateful to the members from Clwyd who helped make this possible.

“By generating more power on the showground, we are reducing our reliance on external energy sources and it goes someway to protecting the society from the enormous electricity price hikes we’ve seen in recent years.”

This is the second solar project on the showground, following the roof mounted system installed on the Food Hall in 2014.

Picture caption:

Members of Royal Welsh Show 2020-‘22 feature county Clwyd’s fundraising committee, along with former RWAS president and show director, Harry Fetherstonhaugh and this year’s president, Denley Jenkins with the plaque.