Solar panels for farmsthat put barns and land to work

Solar panels for farms and estates turn barn roofs and spare land into power for dairies, grain drying, cold stores and irrigation. Based in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Demand patternMilking and seasonal peaks
MountingBarn roofs or ground-mount
Home groundNorfolk and Suffolk

All of our installs are accredited by

SolarEdge
MCS Certified
Trading Standards TSI Approved Code
NICEIC Approved Contractor

When a farm uses its power

On a dairy farm, demand spikes with early-morning and afternoon milking as vacuum pumps and milk cooling kick in. Grain drying and cold stores add seasonal peaks.

  • Milking peaks fall either side of the strongest sun. A battery stores midday surplus to cover them.
  • Grain drying fans peak at harvest in late summer, when long days give solar plenty to offer.
  • Cold stores, ventilation and irrigation pumps add steady daytime loads that soak up output.

Typical weekdayElectricity demand vs solar generation, by hour

00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00Peaks at milking times
Site demandSolar generationSolar used on site

Illustrative profile. Your proposal is modelled on your own half-hourly data.

Farm energy challenges, and how we solve them

Farms use power in sharp peaks and long seasons. Here’s where the cost comes from and how we design around it.

Talk to our team
01The challenge

Milking, cooling and vacuum pumps

How we solve it

Solar covers daytime dairy loads and a battery shifts surplus into early and late milking. We size both from your real demand, season by season.

02The challenge

Grain drying and cold stores

How we solve it

Drying fans peak at harvest and potato or vegetable stores need cooling for months. We model those seasonal loads so the system is sized to match.

03The challenge

Old barn roofs and spare land

How we solve it

We survey older fibre cement and steel roofs first. Where a roof isn’t right, a ground-mount array on lower-grade land or field corners is often better.

04The challenge

Weak rural grid connections

How we solve it

We check capacity with your DNO early. Export limitation or battery storage can let you install a useful system within the connection you have.

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Featured project

Proof, not promises. A recent project of ours.

+£642,030

Projected 25-year saving · Hengistfield, Sittingbourne, Kent

Hengistfield in Sittingbourne, Kent runs on a 78 kWp rooftop system. It shows how we model savings, payback and on-site use before you commit.

System78 kWp
Payback4–5 years

Figures are projections from the customer’s proposal.

HengistfieldReal install
HengistfieldSittingbourne, Kent

Farm solar questions answered

Straight answers to the questions we’re asked most. Pick a question to read the answer.

  • On farms with steady daytime demand, such as dairies, cold stores and poultry units, solar can deliver strong returns. The more you use on site, the better. We model your seasonal demand against projected output to show savings, payback and a 25-year cash flow.

  • It depends on system size, roof or ground-mount, battery storage and any grid works. Your tailored proposal sets out the cost next to projected savings. You can buy outright or finance the system, with repayments that can be covered by the savings.

  • Sometimes. Many agricultural roofs are fibre cement or older steel, so we survey the structure and condition before recommending anything. If a roof isn’t suitable, a ground-mount array or a newer building on the farm is often the better option.

  • Ground-mounted arrays usually need planning permission, while most rooftop systems fall under permitted development. We prepare and manage the application and the grid application to your DNO.

  • Not necessarily. Rural networks can limit how much you can export, so we check capacity with your DNO early. Export limitation or battery storage can let you install a useful system within the connection you have.

  • Yes. Milking and cooling often peak early morning and late afternoon, outside the strongest sunshine. A battery stores surplus midday solar and releases it during those peaks.

  • Grant schemes change, so we only include funding in your numbers once it’s confirmed. Capital allowances may apply to commercial solar, so speak to your accountant. Surplus power can earn payments through the Smart Export Guarantee.

  • Dust from grain, feed and livestock can build up on panels, so periodic cleaning and inspection help keep output high. Our operations and maintenance service and remote monitoring flag issues early.

Answer 01 / 08

Are solar panels for farms worth it?

On farms with steady daytime demand, such as dairies, cold stores and poultry units, solar can deliver strong returns. The more you use on site, the better. We model your seasonal demand against projected output to show savings, payback and a 25-year cash flow.

How much does commercial solar for agriculture cost?

It depends on system size, roof or ground-mount, battery storage and any grid works. Your tailored proposal sets out the cost next to projected savings. You can buy outright or finance the system, with repayments that can be covered by the savings.

Can solar go on old barn roofs?

Sometimes. Many agricultural roofs are fibre cement or older steel, so we survey the structure and condition before recommending anything. If a roof isn’t suitable, a ground-mount array or a newer building on the farm is often the better option.

Do ground-mounted solar panels for farms need planning permission?

Ground-mounted arrays usually need planning permission, while most rooftop systems fall under permitted development. We prepare and manage the application and the grid application to your DNO.

Our rural grid connection is weak. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily. Rural networks can limit how much you can export, so we check capacity with your DNO early. Export limitation or battery storage can let you install a useful system within the connection you have.

Can a battery help with milking times?

Yes. Milking and cooling often peak early morning and late afternoon, outside the strongest sunshine. A battery stores surplus midday solar and releases it during those peaks.

Are there grants or tax benefits for farm solar?

Grant schemes change, so we only include funding in your numbers once it’s confirmed. Capital allowances may apply to commercial solar, so speak to your accountant. Surplus power can earn payments through the Smart Export Guarantee.

What maintenance does a farm system need?

Dust from grain, feed and livestock can build up on panels, so periodic cleaning and inspection help keep output high. Our operations and maintenance service and remote monitoring flag issues early.

Still have a question?Talk to our team. No pressure, just straight answers. hello@pinkrenewables.co.uk
0800 043 6000
Still have a question?Talk to our team. No pressure, just straight answers.Call 0800 043 6000

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Pink Renewables

Commercial solar systems for a lower-carbon future.

Find us

Passion House, Excalibur Road, Beacon Park, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 7BB, United Kingdom

0800 043 6000 · hello@pinkrenewables.co.uk · Norfolk + UK wide

0800 043 6000 · hello@pinkrenewables.co.uk · Norfolk + UK wide

© 2026 Pink Renewables. Pink Renewables is a trading name of Pink Group Holdings Ltd, registered in England and Wales (company no. 07448391). Registered office: Passion House, Excalibur Road, Gorleston, Norfolk NR31 7BB.

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