A photovoltaic farm system at the sewage treatment plant in Ta’ Barkat, Xgħajra, on the south eastern coast of Malta, has been given the go ahead by the Planning Commission at the Planning Authority.

The project will see the installation of solar PV panels, mounted at a 10-degree gradient, over the roofs of the polishing plant, the administration block and the sludge room, covering an area of nearly 2,520 square metres.

It will not take up of any undeveloped rural or natural land within the Outside Development Zone site. The installed panels would not have a visual impact on the surrounding landscape.

The planning permit includes a condition which requires the applicant to dismantle the panels and revert the roof of the buildings upon which the PV panels were installed back to their original vacant state once decommissioned. 

The draft solar farm policy, the PA said, encouraged dual or multiple uses of land.

The creation of solar farms would facilitate Malta's aim to achieve its 2020 EU target of 10 per cent renewable energy, it concluded.