Fife is to begin harnessing the sun’s energy on an industrial scale, with the region’s first solar farms approved.
Some 5,000 panels are to be installed near Tayport, more than 3,300 at Wormit and a similar number in Crail, in three separate renewable energy projects.
The solar farms will also be among the first in Scotland, following the launch last week of the country’s largest with 7,000 panels in, Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire.
Several others are in the pipeline around the region, including at Thornton, Saline, Blairhall, Milton of Balgonie and Cameron.
Green Hedge Renewables had hoped that Wormit, the first Scottish village to get electricity, would also be a pioneer for the solar industry north of the border.
The Bath company hopes to start construction early in the new year, with the four-megawatt site, capable of powering 1,300 homes, operational by April.
Farm project planner Adam Banting said: “We are delighted with the decision and would like to thank the local community for all their feedback and support over the last six months.
“It is great to be bringing solar power north of the border and to be helping Scotland reach its ambitious renewable energy targets.”
It is not known when the five-megawatt farms at Sypsies, Crail, and, Kirkton Barns,Tayport, will be built.
Their panels will be around 2.7m high and those at Wormit 2.5m high and surrounded by fences, tree and hedge screening.
While there were no objections to the Crail solar farm, both north Fife projects attracted some opposition, with concerns about the visual impact, noise and road safety during construction.
Green Power Consultants, behind the Tayport panels, was accused of ignoring the community while consultation was conducted in Wormit, but failed to respond to calls from The Courier.
Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett said: “The community feel very let down that they haven’t had their questions answered.”
Fife Council planner Chris Smith said while developers were encouraged to consult with communities there was no legal obligation.
Planning applications for the north Fife farms were approved by the council’s north east planning committee while the Crail development was granted under delegated powers.