Construction work is underway to build Scotland's largest ever solar farm.

The 14MW scheme will be developed on 70 acres of land at the Errol Estate in Tayside.

The 55,000 solar panel site has been designed by Elgin Energy and is being built by Canadian Solar, who will initially operate the facility.

It is understood the farm will be operational by March and will power over 3,500 homes.

Property services firm Savills Smiths Gore said the project was proof that large scale solar systems work well on the east coast of Scotland.

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Energy Director, Thomas McMillan, said: "We are delighted to see this project come to fruition; it has been four year in the making and proves that large-scale solar in Scotland continues to be commercially viable. 

"Solar technology has a far greater role to play in Scotland’s energy mix than many people might realise.

"Due to reducing installation costs, and a climate of support from Scottish Government, we are continuing to see an appetite from developers to take forward new development sites, even with reducing subsidy support from the Westminster government."

In addition, the Scottish Government announced it will retain a 'grandfathering guarantee' for key policies supporting investment in solar farms, despite Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) proposals to end the protection in England and Wales.

Mr McMillan added: "This announcement came at a crucial time for Errol, and it was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition."

(LM)