Unlock the Potential of Your Land
Farms in Cornwall, Devon, and the South West are perfectly positioned to harness the power of solar energy. Whether it’s roof-mounted solar panels on agricultural buildings or ground-mounted systems on underused land, solar energy is an excellent way to cut costs, generate income, and reduce your farm’s environmental impact.
At Natural Generation, we specialise in helping farms and agricultural businesses across the region transition to reliable renewable energy. As a proud Cornish company, we understand the unique needs of the farming community and offer tailored solutions to maximise your land and buildings' self-sufficiency potential.
Why Choose Solar Panels for Your Farm?
Investing in solar energy can deliver significant long-term farming benefits, including:
Reduced Energy Costs
Generate your own electricity and lower your energy bills, even during peak usage times.
Diversified Income
Earn revenue by selling unused electricity back to the grid through available incentives.
Sustainable Farming
Reduce your farm’s carbon footprint and align with environmentally conscious practices.
Future-Proofing
Protect your assets from rising energy costs and grid instability
Tailored Solar Solutions for Agriculture
Every farm is different, which is why we offer bespoke solar energy systems designed to fit your specific needs.
Investing in solar allows you to streamline your operations, save valuable resources and make the most of your land value, while also joining the growing movement towards more sustainable farming practices.
Roof-Mounted Solar Panels
Make use of existing agricultural buildings, to install efficient, high-performing solar panels. Roof-mounted systems are ideal for making the most of unused space, while also providing significant savings on your energy costs.
Ground-Mounted Solar Panels
Turn underused farmland into an energy-generating asset with ground-mounted solar panels. These systems are scalable and can be designed to meet your farm’s energy needs, while maintaining land usability for other purposes like grazing or biodiversity projects.
Battery Storage for Solar and Wind
Pair your solar panels or wind turbine with a battery storage system to store excess energy for use during the evenings or on still or cloudy days, ensuring uninterrupted power - even during power cuts.
Ongoing Maintenance
We'll take care of the ongoing cleaning and maintance of your solar system, so you get the most out of your investment.
Powering Cornish Farms
As a local business with deep roots in Cornwall, we’re passionate about supporting the local farming community in adopting renewable energy. We provide expert guidance, high-quality products, and a friendly, reliable service tailored to your agricultural needs.
Local Expertise: We understand the challenges and opportunities of farming in the South West.
Bespoke Solutions: Every installation is customised, so you get solar panels that work for your farmland, buildings, and energy requirements.
High-Quality Products: We use durable mounting systems, together with efficient solar panels and inverters, built to withstand agricultural environments.
Ongoing Support: From initial consultation to ongoing maintenance, we’re here to help every step of the way.
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Discover More About Solar for your Farm
Q: Will a solar PV and battery system work with heavy farm loads like grain dryers, parlours, or refrigeration?
Yes - agricultural solar systems are designed around your farm’s peak electrical loads and three-phase supply. Modern commercial battery storage and smart inverters can deliver high discharge rates to support heavy surge machinery, reduce the amount of energy needed from the grid, and store cheap or self-generated power to run your energy-intensive operations around the clock. During your initial site survey, our engineers will analyse your energy use to give you a plan for the right size solar PV capacity and battery discharge rate for your specific working day.
Q: Can we install solar panels on barn roofs, or is ground-mounted solar a better option?
Both are viable options, and we regularly install both across South West farms! Roof-mounted solar systems make great use of unused shed or barn roof space (subject to a structural survey of the tin, fibre cement, or timber frame). Ground-mounted arrays are ideal if your roof space is shaded, not facing the best direction for the sun, or is structurally unsuitable. Ground mounted solar systems can also be installed on underutilised farmland, or fenced off to allow sheep to graze underneath (agrivoltaics). We handle the structural assessments, planning queries, and DNO (Distribution Network Operator) grid permission applications for both setups.
Q: What happens during a power cut; will the battery keep critical farm equipment running?
Standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut down during a power cut to protect network line workers. However, by pairing your solar PV with a battery system configured for EPS (Emergency Power Supply) or full off-grid backup, your critical farm circuits - like robotic milking parlours, cooling tanks, ventilation, and security systems - can remain powered seamlessly during outages.
Q: How does adding battery storage improve the return on my agricultural solar investment?
A standalone solar array exports excess electricity generated during peak daylight hours back to the grid, often at standard feed-in or PPA export rates. Adding battery storage allows you to store 100% of your generated solar energy to use during morning and evening peak farm operational hours, instead of buying expensive grid power. You can also use smart energy tariffs to charge your battery from the grid overnight at cheap off-peak rates during winter months, using that energy when daytime rates spike.
Q: Can I add battery storage to an existing solar PV system on my farm?
Yes. We routinely retrofit commercial battery storage systems to existing solar arrays, regardless of who originally installed them. Whether your existing setup operates on single-phase or three-phase power, we can integrate AC-coupled battery systems or upgrade your inverters to optimise your existing generation without disturbing your current Feed-in Tariff (FiT) or Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) arrangements.
To get a personalised solar quote based on your energy use and building specifications, book your free survey today.
Helping Farms Go Green
By investing in solar energy, Hill Farm continues to lead the way in sustainable farming, proving that environmental responsibility and operational efficiency can go hand in hand. Natural Generation is proud to support their journey towards a greener future.
Ready to Power Your Farm with Solar?
If you’re ready to explore how solar energy can benefit your farm, the Natural Generation team is here to help.
Whether it’s maximising your roof space or transforming your farmland into a sustainable energy hub, we’ll design a solution that works for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards renewable energy for your farm.
