Skip to content

Planners reject plans for M5 services solar panels

Google Street View A wide view of Exeter Services on the M5 showing the entrance to the Moto building and a large sign advertising food and drink suppliers.Google Street View
Exeter Services on the M5 will not be having solar panels on its roof

Solar panels have been banned from the roof of Exeter's motorway service station because planners fear they could dazzle drivers.

Moto Hospitality wanted to install 209 panels at junction 30 of the M5, saying they would generate a significant amount of power without causing any problems.

But Exeter City Council's planners rejected the application, pointing out that National Highways had raised concerns about the impact of "glint and glare".

The highways authority said roadside vegetation could not be relied upon to screen the panels from passing cars for the lifetime of the scheme.

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].