Prime Minister David Cameron met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to rubber stamp the deal this week.

Chinese firms MAP Environmental Ltd and Z N Shine Solar have now entered into a joint venture to purchase, develop, construct and manage £400 million of UK solar PV assets.

The Department for Innovation and Skills said: “The project will involve a 3 year construction programme in conjunction with some of the UK’s largest engineering, procurement and construction contractors and the on-going maintenance will run for up to a further 20 years.

“The project will generate up to 50 new UK jobs in design, administration and operation roles with a further 500 new UK jobs in construction and maintenance created over the period of the contract.”