Solar Panels for Farms in Orkney
Specialist agricultural solar PV across Orkney and the wider Orkney Islands area, including Caithness, Shetland, Northern Highlands. MCS-certified, FETF grant-backed, fixed-price proposals within 7 working days.
Solar panels for farms across Orkney
Orkney generates more renewable electricity than it consumes and is a global reference case for distributed energy on farms. Despite being at 59°N, long summer daylight (18+ hours) delivers surprisingly strong solar yields, especially when paired with battery storage and used alongside existing wind and tidal assets.
We deliver MCS-certified solar PV across Orkney for dairy, livestock, arable, poultry and mixed enterprises. Every project starts with half-hourly meter data analysis, a structural survey, and a fixed-price proposal — typically within 7 working days. Our installation teams cover Kirkwall, Stromness, St Margaret’s Hope, Finstown, Birsay, and the wider Orkney Islands area.
Local challenges we plan around
- Active Network Management (ANM) zone curtailment limits
- SHE Transmission constraint periods
- Extreme wind loading requiring marine-grade racking
- Ferry logistics for panel and inverter delivery
- Salt spray corrosion on coastal installations
Seasonal and irradiance profile
Orkney’s high-latitude summers deliver 18-19 hours of daylight, producing 30-40% of annual yield in June and July alone. Winter yield is modest but battery-backed systems still displace expensive imported electricity year-round.
Recent Orkney installations
A beef-finishing unit near Kirkwall combined a 40kW roof array with a 60kWh LiFePO4 battery, cutting imported electricity by 68% and hedging against Orkney’s higher retail tariffs.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar viable this far north?
Yes - while winter is short, Orkney’s summer daylight produces strong yields. Pairing PV with battery storage is essential to shift generation into dark months and evening peaks.
Will ANM curtail my Orkney solar system?
Systems under 50kW typically sit below the ANM threshold. Larger arrays may see periodic export curtailment, which is why most Orkney farms size PV around on-site consumption plus storage rather than export.
Get a Orkney farm solar quote
Free desk-based feasibility from your half-hourly meter data. Fixed-price quote within 7 working days. We cover Kirkwall, Stromness, St Margaret’s Hope, Finstown and the wider Orkney Islands area.
Postcodes covered in Orkney
- KW15
Other areas we cover
Orkney farm solar — frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost for a farm in Orkney?
Agricultural solar in Orkney costs £600–£900 per kWp installed gross — about £360–£540 per kWp net after FETF and 100% AIA. Most Orkney Islands farms install 50–250 kWp systems (£35,000–£175,000 gross / £19,000–£105,000 net). A typical 100 kWp barn-roof system runs £60,000–£75,000 gross, £36,000–£45,000 net.
What grants are available for farm solar in Orkney?
Scottish farms access CARES interest-free loans of up to £150,000 plus SRDP Sustainable Production support, both stacking with the 100% Annual Investment Allowance against your profits.
What is the payback period on farm solar in Orkney?
Most Orkney farm solar systems pay back in 1.6–2.6 years after FETF and 100% AIA. Dairy and poultry units — with high 24/7 electricity demand — sit at the fast end (1.6–2.0 years); seasonal arable holdings sit toward 2.2–2.6 years. After payback every kWh generated is effectively free for the remaining 20+ years of the system's life.
Do I need planning permission for farm solar in Orkney?
Roof-mounted solar on existing agricultural buildings in Orkney is generally permitted development, so no full planning application is required. Ground-mount arrays, listed buildings, conservation areas and AONB-visible sites may need consent — we handle the Orkney Islands Local Authority application as part of every quote.
Which Orkney postcodes do you cover for farm solar?
We cover every Orkney Islands postcode, including KW15. Our installation teams reach all of Orkney and the surrounding area (Caithness, Shetland, Northern Highlands), with a free desk feasibility turned around in 3 working days.