A SOLAR farm with more than 25,000 panels could be created on Hampshire countryside.

Energy company Solarcentury wants to create the facility at Chalcroft Farm in Burnetts Lane, West End.

The 25,632 panels, which would generate up to 7.3mw of electricity, would take up nearly 200,000 square metres of farmland.

A footpath that currently crosses the proposed site would be diverted to the northern boundary under the plans.

There would also be inverter cabins and a small substation built on the land, so that the electricity generated could be distributed on the National Grid.

Work on the solar farm would be carried out in two phases.

News of the plans comes just weeks after proposals were announced for a 200,000 panel facility near Fareham – which would be the country’s biggest solar farm.

German company IB Vogts have come up with a distinctive Schnauzer-shaped design for the farm, which is expected to cost £40m.

Solarcentury say that if the plans for a solar farm in West End are approved, work could start as soon as December and the project could be completed in January.

Eastleigh Borough Council is running a consultation until Thursday, November 1.