Chinese firm ReneSola is to develop a 13MW PV project in Dorset, southern England.

The company said it expected the project, which already has planning permission, to be grid-connected and operational by the end of the year.

ReneSola said it had identified a number of potential buyers for the project once it is complete.

Assuming ReneSola’s predicted complete and connect date is realised, the project will qualify for the UK’s renewable obligation support mechanism for large-scale solar plants. This is due to be phased out for projects over 5MW next spring.

The project will use ReneSola’s Virtus II modules exclusively.

Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive, said: "While we remain focused on our retail and residential-oriented business development, we selectively pursue project opportunities across our key markets when we identify good value and when the projects are in line with our broader strategic objectives.

“The United Kingdom is one of our best-performing markets, and one of the world's fastest-growing major solar markets, while the new project will further strengthen our leading market position in UK. The 13MW Dorset project will be one of a series of selective projects we plan to build in the coming quarters."