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Agricultural Solar: Complete Guide for UK Farms
UK farms are ideal for solar with large roof spaces, land availability, and high energy costs. Learn about ground-mounted systems, planning, and farm-specific benefits.
Solar Panels For Businesses Team
12 December 2025
Why Farms Are Ideal for Solar
Agricultural businesses offer unique advantages for commercial solar: large roof spaces on barns and sheds, available land for ground-mounted systems, and increasing electricity costs for irrigation, grain drying, and refrigeration. Solar can transform farm economics.
System Options for Farms
- Roof-mounted: Install on barns, sheds, and agricultural buildings
- Ground-mounted: Use less productive land for solar arrays
- Agrivoltaics: Combine solar with grazing or crops below panels
- Floating solar: Install on irrigation reservoirs
Financial Benefits
| Farm Size | Typical System | Annual Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (100 acres) | 50kW | £8,000 | 4-5 years |
| Medium (500 acres) | 150kW | £25,000 | 3-4 years |
| Large (1,000+ acres) | 300kW+ | £50,000+ | 3-4 years |
Planning Permission
Agricultural buildings often benefit from permitted development rights:
- Roof-mounted systems under 1MW typically permitted
- Ground-mounted under 0.5 hectares may be permitted
- Larger systems require planning application
- Green Belt and AONB may have restrictions
Business Rates
Agricultural solar may qualify for relief:
- Systems primarily powering agricultural operations may avoid business rates
- Export-focused systems typically attract rates
- Seek specialist advice for your situation
Diversification Income
Beyond bill savings, farms can generate income through:
- Smart Export Guarantee payments for excess power
- Renting land for larger solar projects
- Battery storage services to the grid