With energy prices continuing to rise, many farmers and smallholding owners are looking at Solar PV as a way to generate their own electricity, reduce reliance on the grid, and cut costs. But is it possible to power your entire farm using only solar PV?
The short answer is: Solar PV can significantly reduce your electricity bills, but it is unlikely to cover 100% of your farm's energy needs. Let’s look at why, and how much you could actually save.
How Much Solar PV Can You Install?
The amount of solar PV you can install depends on your electricity supply type and the size of your farm. The larger your supply, the more solar you can install:
- Single-Phase Connection (Houses & Smallholdings) → Can install up to 15–20 kW
- Split-Phase Connection (Small farms) → Can install up to 20–30 kW
- Three-Phase Connection (Larger farms) → Can install 50–100 kW+
Most farms are limited by their grid connection, as the solar PV system size cannot exceed the incoming supply capacity. Upgrading your supply can be costly, so most installations are sized within existing limits.
How Much Can You Save?
Every farm is different, and savings depend on how much electricity is used during the day when solar is generating. If most of your energy is used at night, savings will be lower. Below are real-world examples based on typical farm setups:
Example 1: Smallholding with Single-Phase Supply
- Annual Electricity Use: 10,000 kWh
- Solar PV System Size: 10 kW
- Estimated Solar Generation: 8,500 kWh
- Estimated Savings: 20–40%
💡 A smallholding with low daytime energy use will still benefit, but won’t see full savings. The best savings come from using energy-hungry appliances (like heating and pumps) during the day.
Example 2: Small Beef & Sheep Farm with Split-Phase Supply
- Annual Electricity Use: 20,000 kWh
- Solar PV System Size: 20 kW
- Estimated Solar Generation: 17,000 kWh
- Estimated Savings: 20–40%
💡 These farms have moderate energy use, but may still need electricity for lighting or heating at night. A well-sized solar PV system can still make a significant dent in bills.
Example 3: Medium Dairy Farm with Three-Phase Supply
- Annual Electricity Use: 100,000 kWh
- Solar PV System Size: 100 kW
- Estimated Solar Generation: 85,000 kWh
- Estimated Savings: 20–40%
💡 Dairy farms tend to use a lot of electricity in the morning and late afternoon for milking. Since these times overlap with daylight hours, solar can cover a large part of the energy demand.
Example 4: Large Dairy Farm with Three-Phase Supply
- Annual Electricity Use: 300,000 kWh
- Solar PV System Size: 200 kW
- Estimated Solar Generation: 170,000 kWh
- Estimated Savings: 20–40%
💡 A large dairy farm has high energy demand but also more roof space for a bigger system. Solar PV can’t cover 100% of the farm’s usage, but it can still slash energy bills significantly.
Conclusion: Can Solar PV Power Your Farm?
Solar PV is a great way to reduce your electricity costs, but unless you are in the extremely lucky position of having a large three-phase supply and relatively low electricity usage, it will not power your entire farm.
Most farms can expect to reduce their electricity bills by 20–40%, depending on:
✅ How much energy is used during the day (solar only works when the sun is out!)
✅ The size of the solar PV system (limited by your grid connection)
✅ The time of year (winter months generate less solar power)
If you’re considering Solar PV for your farm, the best first step is to check your electricity usage. Take a meter reading first thing in the morning and last thing at night—this will show you how much of your energy is used during the day and help you estimate potential savings.
Next Steps
Thinking about installing Solar PV on your farm? Get in touch with us today to discuss your options and see how much you could save.
📞 Call us:01228 318900
🌍 Visit: www.abenergycnetre.co.uk
We’re here to help you make the most of Solar PV for your farm! 🚜☀️
