Why livestock farms are ideal candidates for solar
Livestock farming is about more than just raising animals – it’s about creating the perfect environment for them to thrive. Whether you’re raising cattle, sheep, pigs, or other livestock, you know that proper ventilation, heating, lighting, and water systems are essential for animal welfare and productivity. But you also know how much these systems cost to run, especially during winter months when heating demands soar. Your animals depend on you to maintain consistent environmental conditions. Ventilation systems that can’t be turned off, water heating that’s essential for animal health, and lighting systems that affect everything from growth rates to breeding cycles. These aren’t optional expenses – they’re fundamental to your operation’s success and your animals’ wellbeing. The challenge many livestock farmers face is that energy costs seem to increase every year, but livestock prices don’t always follow suit. You’re caught between rising operational costs and market pressures, looking for ways to maintain profitability without compromising animal welfare. Solar panels offer livestock farmers a way to take control of their energy costs while maintaining the high standards of animal care that define successful operations. Our systems are designed to handle the consistent power demands of livestock farming, from automated feeding systems to climate control equipment. We understand that livestock farming often involves multiple buildings spread across your property – from main barns to feed storage, from milking parlours to equipment sheds. Our solar solutions can be distributed across these structures, maximizing your energy generation potential while working with your existing farm layout. The reliability factor is crucial for livestock farmers. Your animals can’t wait for the power to come back on. That’s why we often recommend battery storage systems alongside solar installations for livestock farms, ensuring you have backup power for critical systems even during grid outages.
What a typical livestock farms installation looks like
| Typical system size | 20–100 kW |
| Project value | £20k–£90k |
| Simple payback | 5.5 years |
| FETF grant eligible | Yes (up to 40% capital) |
| MCS certified | All installs |
Benefits for livestock farms
- Reliable power for essential ventilation and climate control systems
- Reduced costs for heating and lighting in livestock buildings
- Energy for automated feeding and water systems
- Lower operational costs improving farm profitability
- Sustainable farming credentials for market differentiation
- Backup power options for critical animal welfare systems
- Utilization of multiple farm building roof spaces
- Protection against rising energy costs
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 livestock farms
Most livestock 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 livestock 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 livestock farms install at a glance
- System size
- 20–100 kW
- Project value
- £20k–£90k
- Simple payback
- 5.5 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