Solar Panel Installations for Farms & Agricultural Industries

Farms and Agricultural centres are ideal for solar panel installations for the following reasons :

• Large, open spaces: Farms typically have large, open spaces with few obstructions, which makes it easier to install solar panels and maximize their exposure to the sun.
• Access to sunlight: Solar panels need access to direct sunlight to generate electricity, and farms are often located in areas with high levels of sunlight, making them ideal locations for solar panel installations.
• Low shading: Solar panels are sensitive to shading, and farms typically have low levels of shading from trees or buildings, which can help to maximize the performance of solar panels.
• The need to reduce energy costs: Farms often have high energy bills due to the electricity required to power irrigation systems, lighting, and other equipment. By installing solar panels, farms can generate their own electricity and reduce their energy bills.
• Environmental benefits: Farms can benefit from the environmental rewards of solar panels by reducing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.

Overall, farms can be perfect locations for solar panel installations large or small.

How Can a Farm or Agricultural Site Benefit from a Solar Installation?

Farms and agricultural industries can use solar panels to generate electricity and heat, which can help to reduce energy costs, promote sustainability, and reduce their carbon footprint. Here are some ways that farms and agricultural industries can use solar panels:

• Powering irrigation systems: Irrigation is a key aspect of farming, and solar panels can be used to power irrigation systems, reducing the need for grid electricity or diesel generators.
• Providing electricity for buildings: Solar panels can be installed on farm buildings to provide electricity for lighting, heating, and cooling. This can help to reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.
• Powering electric farm vehicles: Solar panels can be used to charge electric tractors, trucks, and other farm vehicles, reducing the need for fossil fuels and promoting sustainability.
• Providing heat for livestock buildings: Solar panels can be used to provide heat for livestock buildings, such as poultry sheds or pig pens, reducing the need for grid electricity or other heating sources.
• Selling excess energy to the grid: If a farm or agricultural business generates more energy than it needs, it can sell the excess energy back to the grid, potentially earning revenue and promoting sustainability.

Overall, solar panels can be a cost-effective and sustainable solution for farms and agricultural industries looking to reduce energy costs, promote sustainability, and reduce their carbon footprint.

What are the best locations for Solar Panels on Farms?

Barn roofs

Solar panels can be installed on barn roofs, and this can be a great way for farms and agricultural businesses to generate their own electricity and reduce their energy costs while also promoting sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.

Barn roofs are often flat or sloping, which can be ideal for solar panel installations.

Before installing solar panels on a barn roof, it’s important to assess the roof’s structural integrity and suitability for supporting the weight of the solar panels. The roof should be in good condition and be able to support the weight of the solar panels and the mounting system. It’s also important to ensure that the solar panels are installed at the optimal angle and orientation to maximize their exposure to sunlight. We will survey your building to ensure its suitability.

Once the roof has been assessed and prepared for installation, solar panels can be mounted using a variety of methods, including ballasted or anchored mounting systems. The solar panels will be connected to an inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which can be used to power farm buildings, irrigation systems, and other equipment.

Farm fields

Farm fields can also be good locations for solar panels, and there are a few different ways they can be installed in fields. Here are some options:

Ground-mounted solar panels:

Solar panels can be mounted on the ground in farm fields using a ballasted or anchored mounting system. This can be a good option for fields that are not being used for crops or grazing.

Solar canopies:

Solar panels can be installed on a structure, such as a canopy, that is mounted above crops or grazing animals. This can provide shade and shelter for crops and animals while also generating electricity.

Floating solar panels:

Solar panels can even be installed on floating structures in bodies of water, such as irrigation ponds or reservoirs. This can be a good option for farms that have large bodies of water on their property. This can have the added benefit of preventing evaporation during the hot summer days.

Installing solar panels in farm fields can provide a number of benefits, including reducing energy costs, promoting sustainability, and reducing the carbon footprint of the farm. However, we always consider the impact on the land and any potential conflicts with farming activities. We assess things like how ground-mounted solar panels may affect crop rotation or grazing, and carefully consider the installation location and method when drawing up any potential proposal.

Award Winning

Recognising our achievements in the commercial solar PV sector, we won a ‘Highly Commended’ in the Solar Power Portal (SPP) Awards for our commercial rooftop solar installation at Norbar Torque Tools factory in Oxfordshire: