SOLAR power is often touted as being one of the solutions to the energy crisis.

Stop using fossil fuels, be green and soak up the sun instead.

Many years ago, before the criticisms about what they looked like set in, it was seen by some green campaigners as being the saviour of the energy market.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see panels bolted onto four or five roofs in a suburban street – but the debate over their place in our communities has deepened.

Today, we report on how a farmer has plans to have 70,000 put up on his land in rolling fields near Cumnor.

The farmer has highlighted the environmental benefits that installing them would bring. But that argument that is coming under more and more scrutiny from ordinary people.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is unimpressed with the scheme – one of several in the pipeline.

Many will say they look ugly – although the farmer himself disagrees.

But clearly he stands to benefit financially from the development.

Pure eco-friendly motives are not the only thing behind these large initiatives.