Powering a Working Farm with a 60kW Solar System

In spring 2025, we delivered a bespoke solar installation for a busy working farm in Norfolk. With high on-site electricity usage and a drive to reduce long-term energy costs, the project is a strong example of how solar can be effectively tailored to rural businesses.

A Farm with High Energy Demands

The farm uses around 90,000kWh of electricity per year, making it an ideal candidate for a large solar PV system. The goal was to maximise self-consumption while ensuring system performance could meet the site’s day-to-day needs.

Our final system design included:

• A 60kW solar PV system
• 2x 30kW inverters for efficient load distribution
• Longi 460W solar panels, chosen for their reliability and output
• Discussions around battery storage to optimise usage during peak-rate periods

Expected annual generation is around 70,000kWh, covering the majority of on-site energy use.

Installing Solar on an Asbestos Roof

The site’s roof was made from asbestos cement sheeting, requiring careful planning and handling. Our team used:

• Mechanically fixed vertical rails attached to the lowest point of the roof profile
• Horizontal rails to secure the solar panels in place
• Specialist installation techniques aligned with health and safety regulations

A 500mm trench was dug to house the system’s underground wiring, and the roof area was accessed via full edge-protected scaffolding with a platform lift system to safely raise panels into position.

Commissioning and System Performance

Commissioning was completed in late May, and a final run-through was provided to walk the customer through system functionality. Monitoring options were discussed to allow the farm to keep track of generation and performance in real time.

The system has now been fully handed over, with excellent generation figures and positive feedback on performance.

Grid Connection and Export Potential

While the system is designed to prioritise self-consumption, the customer is producing some surplus energy. We’ve supported the process of setting up an export agreement with Open Power to allow for energy to be sold back to the grid.

Additionally, the customer has applied for an increase to their grid connection size, from 40kW to 50-60kW, to support both current and future usage. We’ve provided supporting data and are continuing discussions with the local distribution network operator.

Thinking About Solar for Your Farm?

Whether you’re running a livestock operation, a grain dryer, or refrigerated storage, solar can cut costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

We’ve delivered solar installations across a wide range of agricultural sites, including:

• Asbestos and metal profile roofs
• Three-phase and single-phase connections
• Custom scaffolding and access plans

Start a conversation with our team today. We’ll design a system around your site, your usage, and your goals, without the jargon.