Sawmills Solar Farm is located near Dawlish in Devon.

Construction commenced in December 2014 and was commissioned in March 2015.

Ashcombe Village Club Committee have used the funds to build a microwave broadband mast for the community, dramatically improving broadband speeds for residents. The funding has also gone towards a new defibrillator and improvements to the village hall.

Sawmills is part of The Belltown Education Programme which provides an annual visit and renewables workshop for the children from Kenton Primary School. The sessions are designed to help children familiarise themselves with the technology and understand the impacts of climate change. Through this programme we aim to inspire a future generation of children that are passionate about renewables and careers in engineering.

An environmental management scheme has been implemented to help enhance the habitat for many species of birds and invertebrates, aiming to result in a net positive impact on local biodiversity. Each year surveys of the site’s birds, invertebrates and native plants are undertaken; these records are subsequently used to review and optimise the habitat management plan for future years. Current enhancements include sowing native meadow seed, creating rough grassland, planting new hedgerows and installing new nest and roost boxes for birds and bats.