Farm solar

Solar panels for farms across the Lothians

Farms use a lot of electricity in daylight: milk cooling, grain drying and ventilation, workshop tools, lighting in livestock sheds, water pumps and, more and more, electric vehicles and machinery. Big, south-facing shed roofs are often sitting there doing nothing. Pentland Renewables helps farms and rural businesses in Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian work out whether solar on those roofs, or on a corner of land, would pay its way.

Book a farm solar survey

Where farm solar works well

Dairy units, where milk cooling and parlour equipment run every day
Grain stores and dryers, especially where fans run through harvest
Workshops, farm shops and diversified businesses open in daylight hours
Livestock sheds with lighting, ventilation and water heating
Farms planning heat pumps or EV charging for the house or the business

Where use is seasonal, such as drying, we model the full year, not just the peak month. A battery can help move surplus into the evening, but it's not always worth the cost.

Barn roof or ground mount?

Barn and shed roofs are often the first choice. The structure is already there and the panels are out of the way. The questions we look at are:

Roof covering. Many older farm buildings have fibre-cement sheets. If there's any chance they contain asbestos, they need checking before anyone drills or walks on them, and they may need replacing first. That's often the right time to put solar on.
Structure. Purlins and frames need to take the extra load and wind uplift, which can be significant on exposed Lothian sites. A structural check is usually needed.
Livestock and dust. Ammonia, dust and vermin all affect where cables and inverters go.

Ground-mounted arrays suit farms with a low-value corner of land near the supply point. They're easier to clean and maintain, but they need more checks on planning, fencing and cable routes.

Grid connection on rural sites

Rural supplies are often weaker than town supplies. Many farm systems need a G99 application to SP Energy Networks before they can connect, and on some rural lines the DNO may limit how much you can export. We find this out early, because it can change the best system size. Our guide to G98 and G99 explains the process.

Planning

Some solar on agricultural buildings and land falls under permitted development in Scotland, and some doesn't. It depends on size, siting and designations such as conservation areas or listed buildings. We check with you before design work starts.

Funding

Home Energy Scotland's grant and loan doesn't cover solar on farm businesses, and its homeowner scheme no longer covers standard solar PV. Funding for farms changes from round to round, so check the current schemes on ruralpayments.org and with the Farm Advisory Service. Ask your accountant how the equipment is treated for tax. We'll give you the cost breakdown they need.

Guide price: [PRICE: Iain to confirm]. Every farm system is priced after a survey.

What you get from us

A site visit to look at roofs, land, the board and the incoming supply
An honest view of whether solar fits your farm's usage
A written proposal with system size, expected generation and the assumptions behind it
DNO application and liaison
Commissioning, handover and export paperwork

Farm solar FAQs

Can solar panels go on an old asbestos cement barn roof?

Not until the roof has been checked. If the sheets contain asbestos, they shouldn't be drilled or walked on without the right controls, and replacing the roof first is often the better option. We'll tell you if we think the roof needs work before solar.

Will the DNO limit how much my farm can export?

It might. Rural networks often have less capacity. A G99 application tells you what SP Energy Networks will allow, and we size the system around the answer.

Is a battery worth it on a farm?

Sometimes. If you use most of your solar during the day, a battery adds less value. If you have evening loads such as milking or lighting, it may help. We model both.

Do I need planning permission for solar on my farm?

Some rooftop and ground-mounted systems are permitted development, and some need planning permission. It depends on the site, the size and any designations. We check before design.

Can I get the Smart Export Guarantee on a farm system?

Possibly, if the installation meets the scheme rules, including certification. Rates vary by supplier.

Which areas do you cover?

Farms across Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian and the edges of Edinburgh. If you're further out, ask anyway.

Book a farm solar survey

Tell us where the farm is, which buildings or land you're thinking about, and send a recent electricity bill. We'll arrange a visit.

Book a farm solar survey