Solar Panels for Farms and Agricultural Buildings: A UK Guide

Farms and agricultural properties are among the best candidates for solar panels in the UK. Large roof areas on barns, sheds, and outbuildings provide substantial generation capacity. High daytime electricity consumption for water pumping, ventilation, refrigeration, and lighting means most generation can be used on-site. And where roof space is limited or planning constraints apply, ground mount systems on surplus land offer an alternative. This guide covers everything agricultural businesses need to know about solar in 2026.

Why Farms Are Ideal Solar Candidates

The economics of agricultural solar are compelling for several reasons. Most farm energy use — irrigation pumps, grain dryers, milking equipment, cold stores — occurs during daylight hours when solar generation is at its peak. Self-consumption rates on farms are typically 60-80% of total generation, compared with 35-50% for domestic households, which significantly improves the financial return. Agricultural electricity tariffs mean farm businesses often pay above the domestic unit rate, making each unit of avoided grid import worth more.

Farm buildings also typically offer large, unobstructed roof areas with consistent orientation. A single modern agricultural shed roof can accommodate 50-200kW of solar capacity. Commercial solar systems of this scale benefit from capital allowances that can offset up to 100% of the capital cost against taxable income in the year of installation under the full expensing scheme introduced in 2023.

Planning Permission for Agricultural Solar

Agricultural buildings benefit from relatively generous permitted development rights for solar installations. Under Class A of Part 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order, solar panels on agricultural buildings do not require full planning permission provided they do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface, are not on a listed building, and the installation is reversible. Ground mount systems on agricultural land may require planning permission depending on size, visibility, and location — we advise on this as part of the site survey process.

Roof Types and Structural Considerations

Agricultural buildings present a wider range of roof types than domestic properties. Steel profile sheeting (box profile or corrugated) is the most common and straightforward to install on. Fibre cement sheets — which were historically manufactured with asbestos — require professional asbestos survey and safe removal before any roof work proceeds. We do not install on confirmed asbestos-containing materials and can recommend licensed removal contractors. Timber purlin roofs can accommodate solar if the structure is sound; a structural assessment is recommended for older buildings.

Ground Mount Systems

Ground mount solar is increasingly popular on farms with suitable land. Systems can be designed to allow continued grazing beneath the panels — a practice known as agrivoltaics. Ground mount systems avoid roof structural concerns entirely and can be oriented and inclined optimally for maximum generation. Planning permission is usually required for ground mount systems, and the application process considers visual impact, ecological effects, and proximity to the highway. We handle planning applications for commercial and agricultural ground mount systems and have successfully obtained permission for multiple Yorkshire farm installations.

ROI for Agricultural Solar in Yorkshire

A 50kW agricultural solar system on a Yorkshire farm, installed for approximately £45,000, generates around 45,000 kWh per year. With 70% self-consumption at an avoided import cost of 28p per kWh, plus 30% export at SEG rates of 8p, the annual financial benefit is approximately £9,900. After capital allowances reducing the effective net cost to around £33,750 (assuming a 25% tax rate), the simple payback period is under 3.5 years — with continued savings for the remaining 20+ years of the system's life. Contact us to arrange a free site survey and financial modelling for your farm.