Why arable farms are ideal candidates for solar
Running an arable farm means you’re constantly battling the elements and market pressures. Your success depends on timing – getting crops planted, harvested, and stored at exactly the right moment. But increasingly, it also depends on managing your energy costs effectively, especially during those critical harvest periods when your grain drying and storage systems are running at full capacity. If you’re like most arable farmers, your energy usage spikes dramatically during harvest season. Those grain dryers can consume massive amounts of electricity, sometimes doubling or tripling your monthly energy bills just when cash flow is already tight. Then there’s your irrigation systems, workshop equipment, and storage facility ventilation – all essential for protecting your harvest and maintaining quality. We’ve designed our solar solutions specifically with arable farmers in mind. Your large barn roofs and storage buildings provide ideal surfaces for solar panel installation, often with minimal structural modifications needed. These same buildings that house your grain stores and equipment can become power generators, turning your existing infrastructure into an asset that pays you back. The timing works in your favour too. Those long summer days when you’re working from dawn to dusk? That’s when solar panels generate the most electricity. During harvest season, when your energy demands peak, your solar system is producing at maximum capacity. It’s like having your own power station right when you need it most. Many of our arable farming clients have found that solar not only reduces their operational costs but also provides a valuable additional income stream through energy export. Some are earning thousands of pounds annually by selling excess electricity back to the grid, creating a new revenue source that’s as reliable as the sunrise.
What a typical arable farms installation looks like
| Typical system size | 50–500 kW |
| Project value | £50k–£400k |
| Simple payback | 4.5 years |
| FETF grant eligible | Yes (up to 40% capital) |
| MCS certified | All installs |
Benefits for arable farms
- Power grain drying and storage systems cost-effectively
- Reduce energy costs during expensive harvest periods
- Utilize large barn and storage building roof spaces
- Generate income through excess energy export
- Sustainable irrigation system power supply
- Protect against seasonal energy cost spikes
- Improve overall farm profitability and sustainability
- Minimal impact on existing farming operations
Grants and finance
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is the primary capital grant route for agricultural solar in England, covering up to 40% of installation cost on eligible systems. Welsh Government Farm Business Grant, Scottish CARES loans, and Northern Ireland’s Farm Energy Efficiency Scheme are equivalent routes in the devolved nations. Capital allowances let you write down 100% of the residual investment against profits in year one under the Annual Investment Allowance (£1m cap).
For zero-upfront installs, we offer Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) finance where you pay only for the electricity generated at a rate well below your current grid tariff. Asset finance arrangements over 5–10 years are also widely available for farms with strong cash flow.
Compliance and structural points specific to arable farms
Most arable farms solar projects use permitted development rights under Class A or Class B of Schedule 2 of the GPDO, provided the system is below 1 MW and on existing agricultural buildings. Listed buildings, conservation areas, AONBs and National Parks require full planning. We handle every application — typical determination 6–8 weeks.
Structural surveys check purlin spacing, rafter capacity and roof sheet condition before any install. Asbestos cement roofing — still common on older sheds — is replaced as part of the project (licensed removal included). Three-phase supply upgrades are handled with the local DNO (UKPN, NGED, SSEN, SP Energy Networks or Northern Powergrid).
Get a quote for solar on your arable farm
Free desk-based feasibility from your half-hourly meter data. Fixed-price proposal within 7 working days. We cover England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from regional installation hubs.
Typical arable farms install at a glance
- System size
- 50–500 kW
- Project value
- £50k–£400k
- Simple payback
- 4.5 years
- Grants
- FETF / Welsh FBG / Scottish CARES eligible
Common questions
How much do solar panels for a farm cost in the UK?
Dairy and livestock parlour installs (30–250 kW): £32,000–£225,000. Arable rooftop installs (50–500 kW): £45,000–£500,000. Ground-mount agrivoltaic schemes (500 kW–10 MW): £350,000–£8m+. Cost per kW is typically £750–£1,000 for rooftop above 100 kW, £600–£800/kW for ground-mount above 500 kW.
What's the payback for a dairy farm solar install?
5–6 years. Dairy farms have outstanding self-consumption (24/7 milk cooling, parlour pumps, lighting) — often 90%+ of generation is consumed on site. Combined with 100% AIA tax relief, dairy installs sit alongside cold-chain warehouses as the fastest-payback segment in UK commercial solar.
Can we install solar on asbestos cement farm roofs?
No — asbestos cement roofs must be replaced first. The most common solution is a combined re-roof + PV install where the PV business case partially funds the re-roof. CAR 2012 governs asbestos handling — only licensed contractors can remove asbestos cement. Most modern installs sit on profiled steel re-clads.
What about agrivoltaics — solar above crops or grazing?
Agrivoltaics is emerging quickly in the UK. Sheep grazing under elevated panels is well-established. Crops (typically shade-tolerant: leafy greens, soft fruit, hops) under translucent panels is showing promising trial results. Defra and NFU are engaged. SFI 2025 is expected to add specific agrivoltaic compatibility actions.
What grants are available for farm solar?
100% AIA tax relief is universal. SFI actions support agrivoltaic schemes and biodiversity-stacked installs. Farming Investment Fund occasionally relevant. Welsh and Scottish farms have their own devolved schemes with often-higher intervention rates. SEG provides ongoing export income.
Do tenant farmers need landlord consent?
Yes — for any structural alteration to buildings or land use change. Most institutional landlords (Crown Estate, Church Commissioners, Wellcome Trust, county councils) have standard tenant-PV addenda. Private landlords vary. We provide the lease addendum template. Some landlords prefer to fund directly with a service-charge recovery from the tenant.
Related pillar pages
- • Farm solar pricing 2026 — by system size
- • How much do solar panels cost on a farm? Full breakdown
- • UK farm solar grants 2026 — FETF, FBG, CARES, DAERA
- • 2026 grant application calendar
- • Finance options — capex, asset finance, PPA
- • How to choose an agricultural solar installer
- • Farm solar maintenance after installation
- • Farm solar glossary A–Z
- • Real installation case studies