Your agriculture 
energy questions answered 

Solar can be a good fit for farms with suitable buildings or land and regular electricity demand. Dairy, poultry, arable and mixed farms, alongside food processing and diversified rural businesses, all have different requirements. We assess your site and how you use electricity before recommending a solution.

Yes. Solar-generated electricity can contribute to running electrically powered equipment across your farm. How much of that demand it meets depends on the system’s output and when equipment operates. Understanding daily routines and seasonal demand helps us design a system around your business.

Yes. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, so they can still produce power on cloudy days. Output varies with the weather and season, with shorter winter days generally producing less electricity than summer. Your generation estimate should reflect those seasonal differences.

Suitability depends on the roof’s condition, structural capacity, orientation and shading, as well as access and the existing electrical infrastructure. Older buildings may need further investigation or remedial work before installation. Our assessment helps identify which buildings offer the best opportunity.

Ground-mounted solar may be an option where suitable land is available. The assessment needs to consider access, shading, ground conditions, connection arrangements and how the installation would affect your use of the land. Planning requirements should also be established before proceeding.

The right system size depends on your electricity consumption, when you use it, available space and grid connection requirements. Filling every available roof is not always the most effective approach. We look at the relationship between generation and demand to recommend a system suited to your operation.

Every project is different. Costs depend on system size, roof or ground works, electrical requirements, battery storage and connection arrangements. Potential savings and payback also depend on your electricity tariff and how much generated power you use on-site. A tailored proposal should explain the assumptions behind the projected return.

Battery storage may help if your electricity demand does not coincide with solar generation. For example, stored daytime energy could contribute to evening or early morning use. Its value depends on your consumption pattern, available surplus electricity and the cost of the battery system.

Not automatically. Standard grid-connected solar systems normally stop supplying power during an outage, and a battery alone does not guarantee backup. If continuity of supply is a priority, raise this at the design stage so suitable equipment, essential loads and backup requirements can be assessed.

Planning requirements depend on your location, the building or land involved and the proposed installation. Establish what permissions or consents are needed before committing to the project, particularly for ground-mounted systems or sites with specific restrictions. Our team can discuss this as part of the initial assessment.

For Northern Ireland projects, the applicable NIE Networks connection process must be followed. The requirements depend on the proposed generation and storage equipment and your existing connection. Our team can help assess the technical requirements and support you in understanding the process.

Potentially. A system designed around on-site consumption, with export controls or battery storage where appropriate, may be worth exploring. However, these measures do not remove connection requirements or guarantee approval. Feasibility depends on the network assessment and the technical design.

You may be able to receive payment for surplus electricity, subject to your connection arrangements, metering and an agreement with an electricity supplier. Availability and payment terms vary by location and supplier. Export income should be assessed separately from the savings achieved by using electricity on your farm.

Funding opportunities change, and eligibility can depend on your location, business and proposed project. Our team can help you understand relevant opportunities worth exploring. If you intend to apply for support, check the scheme’s conditions before ordering equipment or starting work.

Timescales depend on the project’s size, complexity, required works and approvals. We plan installation around your operating requirements and agree access, safety arrangements and any necessary shutdowns in advance. Let us know about milking schedules, livestock routines, biosecurity requirements and seasonal pressures early in the process.

Solar systems benefit from performance monitoring and appropriate inspections and maintenance. Dust, bird activity and other farm conditions may affect cleaning requirements. Solmatix offers monitoring, planned maintenance, technical support and performance reviews to help protect your investment.

Warranty terms depend on the panels, inverter, battery and installation package specified. Product warranties and panel performance warranties cover different things, so it is useful to understand both. Ask for the applicable periods, conditions and maintenance requirements to be clearly set out in your proposal.

Recent electricity bills, ideally covering a full year, are a useful starting point. Consumption data, details of your main equipment and operating hours, photographs of buildings or land, and plans for future expansion will also help us understand the opportunity.