FETF and Farm Solar Funding: 2026 Guide
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) never funded solar panels, and its final round closed in April 2026. Here is how farm solar has actually been funded, and what to check before you plan around a grant.
What FETF was
FETF was a DEFRA grant for farming, horticulture and forestry businesses in England towards specific items of equipment and technology, paid at fixed amounts per item — grants ran from £1,000 to £25,000. The list included kit such as on-farm EV chargepoints and electric utility vehicles, but never solar panels or batteries. The final round closed at midday on 28 April 2026, and DEFRA is consolidating its farm capital grants.
How farm solar has been funded
- Improving Farm Productivity (England) — contributed around 25% towards rooftop solar that powered farm operations (ground-mount was excluded). Round 2 closed on 31 July 2025; check the Rural Payments Agency for any new round.
- Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — each nation runs its own farm capital grants, typically at 25–40% when a scheme is open.
- Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) — farm businesses (companies, sole traders and partnerships) can deduct 100% of qualifying solar spend in year 1, up to £1m a year. A grant reduces the qualifying spend.
- Asset finance or a PPA — spread the cost, or pay nothing upfront and buy the power.
If you do apply for a grant, don't order kit or start the install before your grant agreement is in place — work started early is usually ineligible.
How KMM plans farm solar funding
Four steps from first look to a proposal that fits your farm's cash flow.
Energy use review
Bills and half-hourly data, including seasonal loads such as milking, ventilation or grain drying.
Fully funded survey
Roof or ground-mount options, structural assessment and a DNO capacity check.
Funding check
Any grant genuinely open for your farm, plus AIA, asset finance and PPA options.
Bespoke proposal
A bound-in proposal with payback maths and a timeline that respects any grant rules.
How KMM helps
We check which farm grants are actually open when we build your proposal. If one is, we plan the timeline around its rules; if not, we model the project on tax relief and finance alone.
Real KMM commercial installs
Every case study below is a real KMM customer with measured Year 1 generation, real payback maths and named project manager.
Doctors' Surgery Solar Rescue: 100kW + Battery Backup
A Market Deeping doctors' surgery had been let down by a previous solar installer — non-stop issues, no monitoring, zero confidence. KMM installed 100kW solar, 100kW battery, Tigo optimisers on every panel.
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.
Talk to KMM about funding farm solar
The form below goes straight to Steve or Kieren. No call-centre, no scripts. We respond to every enquiry 9-5, Monday to Friday.
Talk to KMM about funding farm solar
Free drone survey, funding check and a bound-in proposal within 7 working days.
