Solar Panels for Farms

Professional agricultural solar installations across the Midlands. Reduce energy costs, diversify farm income, and future-proof your farming operation with renewable energy.

Up to 70%
Energy Savings
4-7 Years
Payback Period
25+ Years
System Lifespan
MCS
Approved

Why Farms Are Ideal for Solar Energy

Agricultural businesses are uniquely positioned to benefit from solar energy installation. Farms combine several factors that make them perfect candidates for significant solar investments: substantial roof areas on barns and agricultural buildings, high energy consumption throughout the year, and available land for ground-mounted installations.

Modern farming operations have considerable energy requirements. Refrigeration units for dairy and produce storage, milking parlour equipment, grain drying facilities, and irrigation systems all consume substantial electricity. These energy demands typically align well with solar generation patterns, as many farming activities occur during daylight hours when solar panels produce maximum output. This synchronisation between energy production and consumption maximises the financial benefits of solar installation.

Large barn roofs and storage sheds provide ideal mounting surfaces for solar panels. These structures typically have strong, south-facing roofs with minimal shading, making them perfect for solar arrays. Many agricultural buildings can accommodate 50kW to 250kW+ systems, generating substantial electricity and significant cost savings.

Beyond immediate energy savings, solar panels enable farms to diversify their income streams. Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), farms can sell excess electricity back to the grid, creating an additional revenue source. This income diversification helps protect against agricultural market volatility whilst contributing to the farm's long-term financial sustainability. Furthermore, solar installations can improve your farm's Environmental Performance Certificate rating and potentially increase property value.

Types of Agricultural Solar Installations

We offer flexible solar solutions tailored to your farm's layout, energy needs, and operational requirements.

Barn-Mounted Rooftop Solar

The most common agricultural solar solution. Utilises existing barn and shed roofs to generate clean energy without using productive farmland.

Most Popular

Ground-Mounted Solar Arrays

Large-scale installations on agricultural land. Perfect for farms with available space and high energy requirements.

High Capacity

Solar Canopies

Elevated solar panels over yards, parking areas, or livestock housing. Provides shelter whilst generating electricity.

Dual Purpose

Solar-Powered Irrigation

Dedicated solar systems powering irrigation pumps and water management systems. Ideal for remote field locations.

Off-Grid Ready

Typical Farm Solar Systems

Investment costs, energy savings, and payback periods for different farm sizes.

Small Farm

50kW System

Installation Cost£40,000-£55,000
Annual Generation42,500 kWh
Annual Savings£8,000-£12,000
Payback Period5-7 years
  • Perfect for small mixed farms
  • Typical barn roof installation
  • Covers basic farm operations
Medium Farm

100kW System

Installation Cost£70,000-£100,000
Annual Generation85,000 kWh
Annual Savings£15,000-£25,000
Payback Period4-6 years
  • Ideal for dairy and arable farms
  • Multiple building installation
  • Significant cost reduction
Large Farm

250kW+ System

Installation Cost£150,000-£200,000+
Annual Generation212,500+ kWh
Annual Savings£30,000-£50,000+
Payback Period4-5 years
  • Commercial farming operations
  • Ground and roof combinations
  • Maximum return on investment

All costs are estimates. Final pricing depends on site conditions, roof type, and system specifications. Annual savings based on current energy prices and typical farm consumption patterns.

Agricultural Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar panels deliver multiple advantages specifically valuable to farming operations.

Reduce Farming Energy Costs

Dramatically lower your electricity bills for refrigeration, milking equipment, grain drying, and irrigation. Many farms reduce energy costs by 50-70% through solar installation.

Diversify Income Through SEG

Generate additional revenue by selling excess electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee. Create a reliable income stream independent of agricultural markets.

Improve Farm EPC Rating

Enhance your farm's Environmental Performance Certificate rating. Better ratings can increase property value and may be required for certain agricultural schemes.

Tax Benefits Available

Take advantage of the Annual Investment Allowance for tax relief on solar panel capital expenditure. Claim 100% of qualifying costs against your farm's taxable profits.

Agrivoltaics Opportunity

Combine solar generation with continued agricultural use. Graze sheep beneath elevated solar panels, maintaining dual land productivity whilst generating clean energy.

Environmental Credentials

Demonstrate environmental stewardship and meet sustainability requirements for agricultural schemes. Reduce your farm's carbon footprint significantly.

Planning Permission for Farm Solar Installations

Rooftop Solar: Permitted Development

Most barn and agricultural building solar installations fall under permitted development rights and don't require planning permission. Systems up to 1MW on non-domestic buildings typically qualify, provided specific criteria are met:

  • Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface
  • Installation on buildings within the farm curtilage
  • Panels removed when no longer needed

Ground-Mounted Solar Arrays

Ground-mounted solar installations on agricultural land usually require planning permission. Applications must demonstrate that the land will remain in agricultural use where possible and address visual impact concerns. The planning process typically takes 8-13 weeks.

Agricultural Land Considerations

Planning authorities consider the agricultural land classification when assessing applications. Best and Most Versatile agricultural land (Grades 1, 2, and 3a) receives particular scrutiny. Demonstrating continued agricultural use through agrivoltaics can strengthen applications.

AONB and Green Belt Restrictions

Farms within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Green Belt, or conservation areas face additional restrictions. Rooftop installations are generally more acceptable than ground-mounted arrays in these designated areas. We have extensive experience navigating these planning considerations.

We provide full planning support as part of our service, including site assessments, documentation preparation, and liaison with local planning authorities to ensure smooth approval processes.

Solar Solutions for Midlands Farming

Warwickshire

Serving arable and dairy farms across Warwickshire with tailored solar solutions. Our installations support intensive farming operations with high energy demands for grain storage, drying facilities, and dairy processing.

Leicestershire

Supporting Leicestershire's mixed farming community with efficient solar installations. Perfect for farms combining livestock and crop production requiring reliable power for diverse operations.

Staffordshire

Providing solar solutions for Staffordshire's livestock farming operations. Our systems reduce costs for feed storage, water heating, and environmental control systems essential to modern livestock management.

Derbyshire

Specialist installations for Derbyshire hill farms and upland agricultural operations. We design systems optimised for challenging terrain and varying solar exposure conditions.

Case Study

Midlands Dairy Farm: 100kW Solar Installation

Location
Warwickshire
Mixed dairy farm
System Size
100kW
288 solar panels
Installation
3 Weeks
Minimal disruption

Project Overview

A 200-acre dairy farm producing 1.5 million litres annually faced rising electricity costs for refrigeration, milking equipment, and water heating. The farm's large south-facing barn roof provided an ideal location for solar panel installation.

Investment Details

Installation Cost:£85,000
Annual Generation:85,000 kWh
Self-Consumption:75%

Financial Returns

Annual Energy Savings:£14,500
Annual SEG Income:£850
Payback Period:5.5 years

Farmer Testimonial

"The solar installation has transformed our farm's economics. We've cut our electricity bills by over 60%, and the system paid for itself faster than expected. The installation team worked around our milking schedule, and we didn't miss a single collection. It's one of the best investments we've made in the farm's future."

— David Thompson, Farm Owner

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about solar panel installation for farms

Ready to Reduce Your Farm Energy Costs?

Get a free, no-obligation quote for your agricultural solar installation. Our experts will assess your farm's energy needs and provide a detailed proposal with costs, savings, and payback calculations.

Call us directly
01827 218833

By submitting, you agree to our privacy policy. Your data is secure.

Fast Response

Site survey within 48 hours of enquiry

MCS Certified

Fully accredited agricultural solar installers

25-Year Warranty

Comprehensive guarantees on all installations