Farm buildings combine large barn and outbuilding roofs with genuinely high energy needs - a strong case for commercial solar. Start with a free assessment of your buildings and your bills.
Farm barns and outbuildings often have large pitched roofs, ideal for solar
Business Solar UK assesses your farm buildings and your electricity use, and our installation partner Solar4Business surveys, designs and installs your system.
We help you see how much of your farm's energy costs solar could realistically cut, and model buying outright, hire purchase and a fully funded power purchase agreement side by side, so you can pick the route that suits your business.
Solar4Business works only with MCS-certified equipment, so you are covered for tax relief and for the Smart Export Guarantee from the outset.
How much you save depends on the size of your system, where it sits on your farm, and how much you still draw from the National Grid. With rising electricity costs, a farm relying more on solar typically sees the upfront cost covered within a few years.
A farm solar array can generate more than you use on site. A battery stores what you don’t use immediately, and the Smart Export Guarantee lets you sell surplus back to the grid on an MCS-certified system - required for installs up to 50kW, with SEG covering systems up to 5MW.
Farmers who rely on green energy are viewed even more favourably by the public. That can mean more recommendations, more satisfied customers and, ultimately, more business.
A solar array cuts your farm’s carbon footprint and puts you ahead of the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target, while also making solar one of the lower-risk investments open to farm businesses.
A farm’s energy needs are extensive, so relying solely on the National Grid carries real cost exposure. Generating part of your own daytime electricity reduces that dependence - standard grid-connected solar switches off automatically during a power cut for safety, so keeping essential equipment running through an outage needs a battery system specifically designed for backup, which your installer can specify.
Because quotes vary by installer and by site, and because the final cost depends on system size, location and access, it is difficult to give one exact figure. Here are typical costs based on system sizes we've commonly seen ordered by farm owners.
| System size | System cost (from) |
|---|---|
| 40kW (74 panels) | £45,000 |
| 50kW (92 panels, our package example) | £45,000 |
| 100kW (202 panels, our package example) | £96,300 |
| 240kW (460 panels, our package example) | £212,500 |
| 300kW (551 panels) | £375,000 |
Panel counts follow our sizing model (545W panels, rounded up). Where a size matches one of our package examples, the price matches too; the 40kW and 300kW rows keep their original illustrative starting prices, which are not one of our package sizes. Your own quote depends on your roof condition, access and system design, confirmed at survey stage.
After seeing the figures above, your eyes might be watering a little - we don't blame you. But the upfront cost does not have to be as prohibitive as it first appears. Plenty of asset finance providers are happy to lend against green assets, and you can then pay them back using the savings you make on your energy bills.
It's also worth remembering that solar PV systems are eligible for tax relief under the Annual Investment Allowance.
The Annual Investment Allowance lets you deduct the cost of qualifying investments, up to £1m a year, from your profits before tax. Solar on UK farms qualifies, as it is classed as plant and machinery vital to running your business.
At the 25% main rate of corporation tax, a system costing £166,600, claimed in full under the AIA, would cut your corporation tax bill by £41,650 - reducing the effective cost of the installation to around £124,950.
In most cases, no - rooftop solar on farm buildings is usually permitted development.
There are a few exceptions where planning permission is likely to be needed:
Your free assessment will flag anything on your farm that needs a closer look before you commit to a system.
We provide bespoke system designs for every business, based upon your energy usage and rooftop availability. To give you an idea of the savings and cost of a system, below are some of our common system sizes.
For office buildings
25 yearsPays back in 6.2 yrs
For warehouse buildings
25 yearsPays back in 6.0 yrs
For manufacturing plants
25 yearsPays back in 5.8 yrs
For distribution centres
25 yearsPays back in 5.7 yrs
Illustrative examples, not live quotations. Equipment, warranties and prices are confirmed in your proposal. All savings are based upon a solar generation yield of 850kWh/kWp installed per annum, with usage of 71.43% of solar energy generated, assuming a 24p/kWh electricity import rate (close to the DESNZ Q1 2026 UK non-domestic average of 24.14p/kWh). Savings may change year on year dependent upon weather conditions, energy prices and system degradation in line with warrantied output.
Solar PV brands featured in our system examples
Nobody should jump headfirst into a decision as significant as solar for your farm.
We assess your buildings and your bills before recommending anything, and Solar4Business designs and installs every system, whether rooftop, ground-mounted, or both.
Get your free solar assessmentThe right route depends on your cash position, your lease and how much power you use in daylight. Your free assessment models each one against your own bills, starting with what you can save before a single panel goes up.
Review your electricity tariff whilst planning your solar installation
Best for: Any business on an out-of-contract or uncompetitive tariff
Ask about this route
Pay upfront, keep every pound of the saving
Best for: Profitable businesses with cash or an existing facility, and a long lease or freehold
Ask about this route
Spread the cost, with ownership at the end of the agreement
Best for: Businesses that want ownership without tying up working capital
Ask about this route
Fully funded. You just buy cheaper electricity
Best for: Sites with a large roof and daytime demand that want savings with no capital or maintenance
Ask about this routeFinance and fully funded options are subject to eligibility, survey and contract terms. Savings, repayments and tax relief depend on your circumstances.
When it comes to commercial solar, there are a few ways to purchase your system. We’ll help to guide you through your options.
Using the Annual Investment Allowance, you can deduct the cost of your system against corporation tax.
Spread the cost with asset financing and use your bill savings to pay off your annual loan repayments.
Purchase your system outright, for the best return on investment.
Or pay nothing upfront with a solar power purchase agreement. See all four ways to pay.
Get a forecast based on your building, tariff and daytime electricity use.
We will check if you qualify for any incentives or grants.
Your assessment uses your postcode to check local solar yield, planning rules and the grid connection.
Prefer to talk first? Call 0113 834 0644 or email [email protected].
Your installation is managed by Solar4BusinessInstallation services described below are delivered by our partner Solar4Business.
Our expert in-house team will advise you on how to best save money through a bespoke business solar installation.
A few questions about your business and your solar energy needs.
A solar package tailored to your business needs, with every way to pay modelled.
Solar4Business surveys your buildings and installs your system, and we check any grants or incentives available to you.
You start saving on energy bills from the day your system is switched on.
See the range of buildings featured in Solar4Business’s published installation projects, from manufacturing sites to schools.
Commercial solar at industrial scale. A large manufacturing roof put to work generating electricity on site.
Explore the project
Rooftop generation alongside the demands of a busy manufacturing operation.
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Using school roof space to generate power where it is needed throughout the day.
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A bespoke rooftop installation designed around a business headquarters.
Explore the projectBusiness Solar UK helps you assess your options and introduces you to Solar4Business. Their team surveys your premises, designs the system and manages the installation.
Solar4Business displays the accreditation marks below on its website. Ask for the current certificates, the contracting company’s details and the warranties that apply to your proposed installation.
Founder and CEO, Pharaoh Capital. Founder of Solar4Business and INICIO.
Over ten years in the energy sector. Grant founded Solar4Business, who install every Business Solar UK system, and INICIO, which funds commercial solar with no upfront cost. Institute of Directors Young Director of the Year, 2020.
Reviews are of Solar4Business, who carry out every installation for Business Solar UK. Rating as at 22 September 2026.
"All went well with the initial enquiry, report draft and install. We were kept up to date with install dates and the guys on site were tidy and professional... There has been a marked reduction in our electricity costs which was the reason for the install."
"Steve and his team were extremely professional, installing over 900 panels for our Academy."
"We have a commercial property and 48 solar panels have been fitted. The team of installers were extremely professional and helpful."
"A great installation. Steve and the team did a great job. Would not hesitate to recommend this company."
Brands using solar power
This depends on the size of the array and how easy access to your farm is - larger systems and harder access both add time. Planning permission, where it applies, can also add to the timeline. Solar4Business will confirm a schedule once your system is designed; most farm installations take multiple days.
Commercial solar panels for farms typically carry a 25-year performance warranty, and can keep generating for up to 40 years with a modern array and proper maintenance. Efficiency gradually reduces over time in line with the warrantied output.
Solar panels are relatively cheap to run once installed. Besides occasional cleaning and checking the condition of the panels a couple of times a year, there is very little upkeep needed. Many installers, including Solar4Business, offer a cleaning and maintenance service if you would rather not do it yourself.
Yes. It is a common misconception that solar panels need direct sunlight. They still generate on cloudy and rainy days and through winter, though output drops. If your panels are not covering your farm’s needs on a given day, you draw the rest from the National Grid as you did before installing solar.
Defra’s Farming Investment Fund has, in the past, covered solar PV and battery storage under its Improving Farm Productivity strand, but rounds open and close and funding is never guaranteed. We check what is currently open for your postcode as part of your assessment, and never quote a grant figure until it is confirmed for your application.
Many farms have room for a ground-mounted array as well as, or instead of, rooftop panels on barns and outbuildings. Ground-mounted systems typically need planning permission, unlike most rooftop installs, so factor in extra lead time.
Save massively on your electricity bills when you invest in solar.
