Duchy of Cornwall
Solarsense has been working with the Duchy of Cornwall on their on-going solar projects since 2011.
GENERATING OVER
98,850kWh
of clean energy per year
Taking control of your energy
Solar panels for farms and landowners
Solarsense provide a turnkey supply, installation and maintenance service for agricultural solar panels and offer a range of finance options, including 100% asset finance and a competitive power purchase agreement (PPA).
With the cost of electricity increasing year on year, many farms are looking to install solar panels in order to reduce their energy bills and maintain profitability. With vast roofs and expanses of unused land, farms are ideal locations for large solar PV systems that can offset high daily electricity consumption and help protect your business against future rises in electricity costs. The huge uptake in solar panels within the agriculture sector speaks volumes and is a true testament to the reliability and strong returns offered.
Financial benefits
There are significant financial and environmental benefits for farms that invest and install solar panels. For example, a typical solar PV system will provide free electricity for more than 25 years, achieve returns of up to 20% per annum and pay back installation costs within 5 years.
Less than a decade ago, solar panels were considered a niche and experimental technology. Ten years on, solar has become the fastest growing energy source worldwide. Solar PV panels are now a mass-produced product, delivered at a cost-competitive price. In fact, whilst energy prices have increased year on year, the price of installing solar has plummeted.
Improving Farm Productivity Grant – Round 2 (2024)
Grant closes 21st March 2024
A grant of up to 25% of the cost of installing a solar PV system is available through Round 2 of the Improving Farm Productivity Grant. The grant will fund solar PV systems that are mounted on farm building roofs but does not include ground-mounted systems. The minimum grant available is £15,000, with a maximum grant of £100,000 on offer for a £400,000 system.
An expression of interest must be made through the GOV.UK online application portal, which closes on 21 March 2024. If your initial application is eligible, a full application can then be submitted by 30 June 2025. To apply please visit the Improving Farm Productivity Grant.
Integrating solar PV with battery storage
Integrating your solar PV system with a solar battery storage solution is a great way to capitalise on the energy savings your solar panels produce and leverage additional benefits for your business.
By storing and using all of the free electricity your solar panels produce instead of exporting it back to the grid, your business will benefit from even greater savings. Storing energy on-site ensures you can access the cheap solar electricity your panels have produced, even before the sun has risen on those cold winter mornings.
Finance for agricultural solar panels
Whilst self-financing is the most popular option for purchasing agricultural solar panels and offers the best returns over the lifetime of a system, many farms have restricted budgets or would prefer to spend their capital elsewhere.
As part of our consultative approach, we offer guidance as to the finance options that are available for your business as well as provide detailed economic efficiency calculations with your free desktop survey to ensure you understand exactly how and when you can expect to break even, the structure of repayments and the overall profit for your business.
Power Purchase Agreement
A power purchase agreement (PPA) has quickly become one of the most popular ways for farms to finance solar panels. If your energy usage and roof space meet specific criteria, this solution allows you to benefit from a free solar PV installation, financed by a PPA provider.
Electricity generated by the system is then sold back to you at a rate much cheaper than your current energy prices; saving you thousands of pounds on your bills and providing your business with all the benefits of solar PV with no upfront cost.
You rent your roof and buy the discounted solar electricity rather than investing in a solar PV system of your own.
Powering UK farms with solar PV
Solarsense has been advising farmers and landowners on how to reduce their energy costs and earn more from their land for more than 20 years.
We are fully compliant with the latest regulations and protection measures concerning the installation of electrical equipment on farms containing livestock. All of our systems are fully tested and guaranteed against ammonia and salt mist attack and we are careful to ensure that our roof mounted systems do not compromise natural ventilation pathways in cattle shed roofs.
We will guide you through the entire installation process, from DNO applications and planning permissions right through to the hand over of the system.
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
How can solar panels benefit my farm?
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Significantly reduce business overheads
Generate and store free, clean energy on-site and improve your bottom line with up to 100% savings on your electricity bills.
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Secure your future energy
Pre-purchase electricity at a fixed unit price, forecast your long-term energy costs and protect your business against future increases in utility prices.
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Diversify land-use
Solar panels are designed with dual land use in mind and can be grazed by cattle or sheep.
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Protect your business from power shortages
Generate and store your own energy, reduce reliance on the National Grid and protect your business from potential rationing and brownouts.
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Tax exemptions
Solar panels are classed as plant and machinery and are eligible for capital allowances.
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Achieve a healthy ROI
A typical commercial solar panel system will provide free electricity for more than 25 years, achieve returns of more than 12% per annum and pay back installation costs within 6-8 years.
- How are solar panels fixed to my roof? Will they cause damage?
- Solar panels are typically mounted on a rail system that is fixed to the roof. A solar PV system is designed to maintain the strength and integrity of your roof, whilst remaining watertight.
- Are there grants available for businesses to install solar panels?
- There are often grants available for installing renewable technologies. Please contact us for more information as to what is available.
- How long do solar panels last and does efficiency drop over time?
- High quality solar panels are likely to last up to 40 years and degrade by approximately 0.5% per annum. The average warranty for a solar panel is between 10-12 years however in many cases it is possible to extend this period on purchase. SunPower currently offer the longest warranty as standard of up to 25 years. Your solar expert will explain all of the benefits and drawbacks of each panel when specifying your products.
- Is it still worth installing solar panels now that the Feed-in Tariff has closed?
- Yes, despite the removal of Government Feed-in Tariff, installs have been forecast to continue at the current rate and even increase in 2019 due to falling costs and increased awareness of the environmental and long-term economic benefits sought from installing solar panels.
