UK community solar farm shut for summer over grid overload concerns
9 reported2 unconfirmed
Britain’s largest community solar project, the Derril Water solar park in north Devon, has been ordered to shut for its first summer by the government’s energy system operator to avoid overloading the local grid with renewable energy. The shutdown was ordered weeks before record high temperatures across Europe led to power supply warnings, due to concerns that rooftop solar in the area could destabilize the power grid by triggering a “thermal overload.” The cooperative’s board told members the shutdown was “enforced on our solar park and other generators in north Devon with no warning” and that the timing “could not be worse.” The shutdown is expected to cost the scheme’s nearly 10,000 members about £2m in lost revenue before it is allowed to restart in September. The project does not expect compensation or insurance to cover the lost summer revenue. The board believes network problems in north Devon have been known since 2023, with new equipment delayed and now due in September.
What’s reported
The Derril Water solar park was ordered to shut for its first summer by the National Energy System Operator (Neso) to avoid overloading the local grid.
The shutdown was triggered by concerns that rooftop solar could cause a “thermal overload” and destabilize the power grid.
The cooperative’s board said the shutdown was “enforced … with no warning” and the timing “could not be worse.”
The shutdown is expected to cost nearly 10,000 members about £2m in lost revenue before restart in September.
The project was funded by £20m from members and a £22m long-term bank loan.
Members originally joined through Ripple Energy, which went bust in early 2025 before the park began operations.
Derril Water began generating electricity in September 2025 under a volunteer board after Ripple was bought by 1st Energy.
National Grid confirmed it curtailed generation in the local area after Neso called for a super-grid transformer to be turned off.
Neso declined to comment.
Open questions
Why the shutdown order came with no warning, according to the board.
Whether compensation or insurance will be provided for lost revenue.
Key figures
Derril Water solar park board (volunteer board)
Ripple Energy (original company, went bust in early 2025)
1st Energy (business energy provider that bought Ripple)
National Grid (confirmed curtailment)
National Energy System Operator (Neso) (declined to comment)
Sources: The Guardian
