Solar Panels for Farms and Agriculture
Agricultural solar PV — roof PV on barns, dairy sheds and grain stores, plus ground-mount on under-used acreage. PD planning where possible, SFI cross-compliance reviewed.
Quick Answer
- Typical size: 50–500 kWp on grain stores, parlours, machinery sheds
- Typical project value: £36k–£340k installed (ex-VAT, before grants)
- Year 1 saving: 20–45% off baseline electricity bill
- Payback: 4.2–6.0 years on capex; with Improving Farm Productivity grant 3.2–4.5 years
- Funding: farm capital grants when a round is open (25–40% depending on UK nation); Annual Investment Allowance
- Lead time: 12–20 weeks; grant claim window runs from award
Farm solar is a separate species from commercial roof PV. The load profile is bimodal (milking parlours peak twice daily, irrigation pumps run only in summer, grain dryers run only at harvest), the buildings are typically agricultural-grade rather than commercial steel-portal, and there is usually under-used land that could absorb a ground-mount in addition to roof.
Where the economics actually work
Farm PV is often PD
Roof PV on agricultural buildings is permitted development under Class A of the General Permitted Development Order — no planning needed. Ground-mount above 9m² always needs full planning.
SFI cross-compliance
Ground-mount solar on agricultural land that qualifies for Sustainable Farming Incentive payments can affect SFI status. We coordinate with your farm advisor before designing a ground-mount.
Sheep-grazing solar
Ground-mount arrays are typically grazed by sheep, allowing the field to retain Basic Farm Payment status. We design the panel height (1.5m minimum to underside) accordingly.
Diesel displacement
Dairy farms with diesel-pumped milking parlours can use solar generation to charge a battery during the day and run the parlour from battery overnight. We have designed two such systems in Lincolnshire in 2025.
System sizes & typical project values
See all solar for farms & agriculture cities we cover →
FAQs for solar for farms & agriculture buyers
Will solar affect my Basic Farm Payment?
Can solar power my grain dryer?
What about MCS / RECC?
Watch real KMM solar for farms & agriculture projects
Real farms installs from Steve and Kieren — case studies, install footage and economics in plain English.
KMM solar for farms & agriculture case studies
Every case study below is a real KMM customer with measured Year 1 generation, real payback maths and named project manager.
UK Farm Solar Case Study: 3-Year Payback
UK farm sized its solar at 50,000 kWh against 37,000 kWh usage to future-proof. KMM modelled a 3-year 3-month payback and roughly £500k of 30-year savings.
UK Farm Solar: Cutting Energy Costs on a Dryer
UK farm with grid-only power and a summer grain dryer turned to solar to harness rising energy costs, drive its dryer, and earn export income.
Bromsgrove Farm Site Visit: 90,000 kWh/yr Roof Review
KMM visits a Bromsgrove-area farm using around 90,000 kWh per year to assess the roof for solar and cut rising energy bills. Inside the consultancy-led survey.
Related guides for commercial buyers
Plain-English deep-dives on the topics that actually drive commercial solar decisions — written by KMM project managers, not marketing.
Quote a KMM solar for farms & agriculture install
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Quote a KMM solar for farms & agriculture install
Free drone survey, structural assessment and bound-in quote within 7 working days for solar for farms & agriculture sites across the UK.
Quote for solar for farms & agriculture
Tell us about your roof, your bills and your goals. KMM runs a fully funded electrical & structural survey, designs a system, runs the numbers and tells you honestly whether solar makes sense for you. No deposit, no pressure.
Book a Site Survey → 0115 647 3822