Are solar panels feasible for your business?

For many farms and rural business owners, the idea of running their entire farm or smallholding on solar PV is appealing.

But is it feasible – and financially sensible? Ask the experts.

AB Energy Centre, near Brampton, was set up by Andy and Ben Fisher in 2015.

With over 15 years of experience under their belt, they can help you decide.

AB Energy Centre specialises in the installation and maintenance of solar PV systems. Our dedicated engineers are here to design, install, and maintain your solar solution, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

Now is the time to consider solar PV for businesses, farms and smallholdings to offset rising energy prices and make the most of free, renewable energy.

Understanding energy use

A typical beef and sheep farm uses around 20,000 kWh annually, while a 200-cow dairy farm uses approximately 120,000 kWh PA.

To produce this amount of electricity with solar PV, you’d need substantial systems:

25 kW solar PV system will produce 20,000 kWh during daylight hours.
150 kW solar PV system will produce 120,000 kWh during daylight hours.

But this energy is not always produced when you need it, so you can often end up exporting energy on sunny days or not having enough in the winter.

Expected solar PV production in Cumbria

A typical solar PV system in Cumbria generates 800 to 900 kWh annually per kW of solar installed.

Here’s what that looks like:

5.5 kW system – Generates 27.5-30 kWh/day in summer, or 1-6 kWh/day in winter months.
25 kW system – Generates 125-150 kWh/day in summer, or 10-50 kWh/day in winter months.
150 kW system – Generates 750-900 kWh/day in summer, or 80-250 kWh/day in winter months.

Take a realistic approach

Solar PV systems produce the most energy in summer, with around 70% of their output occurring between April and September.

In winter, output drops significantly, making full self-sufficiency challenging without a very large and costly system.

How to make solar work for you

Instead of aiming to cover all your electricity use, consider these practical ways to maximise savings:

Adjust usage timings: Run high-energy equipment like water heaters and milking machines (anything for heating/cooling or moving) during peak solar hours.
Install timers and smart controls: Automate equipment to operate when solar power is available with the addition of cheap timer installations.
Explore battery storage: New advancements have made commercial battery systems more cost-effective in some cases, allowing you to store excess solar power for evening use (once other options have been attempted).
Retrofitting battery storage: If you’re not using all your existing solar output, a battery system can capture and store excess energy.
Monitor and optimise: Track your solar production and adjust usage patterns to maximise savings. Meters can be installed to help monitor and track usage on-site.

Solar panels are a viable, cost-effective solution to help reduce electricity costs and move towards greater energy independence.

While it is not financially sensible to aim for complete self-sufficiency with solar PV, especially during winter months, the falling cost of solar technology makes it an attractive option for those who use electricity during daylight hours.

Now is the time to consider solar PV for businesses, farms and smallholdings to offset rising energy prices and make the most of free, renewable energy.