Solar Energy for British Farming

Discover how Absolar helped Belcher Farms cut energy costs and boost sustainability with a 137 kW solar installation at Newlands and Grange Farms.
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Suitable Building Sectors for Solar

Across these sectors Absolar have installed solar PV systems that have successfully reduced energy bills without any disruption to their business operations.

Distribution & Logistics

Large roof space availability. Significant energy bill reduction with additional income stream from energy export.

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Office building

High electricity demand from office appliances, matching solar PV generation pattern.

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Manufacturing

As an energy-intense industry, manufacturing facilities benefit significantly from having free, clean solar energy.

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Property Portfolios

Consistent building upgrade with property value and ESG benefits. Significant operational cost savings.

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Agricultural

Optimal roof space available for solar panels. Low installation costs and potential for export income

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Laboratories

Significant energy demand could be offset by solar energy, reducing operational costs.

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Restaurants & Leisure

Complex roof structure requires solar simulation modelling, matching demand profile with solar generation.

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Printing

High energy usage by printing equipment offset by renewable electricity, significantly reducing operational costs

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Industrial Parks

Large rooftop spaces for electricity generation, reducing operational costs significantly.

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Universities

Energy simulation to match consumption profile with roof space assessment.

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Urban Office Complex

Improving ESG, reducing energy costs, future-proof building with energy system upgrade.

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IT & Software

Electricity usage in computing equipment met by renewable energy, improving ESG and energy independence.

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Precision Engineering

Constant electricity demand from the use of CNC machines has been offset by clean, free solar electricity.

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Solar system installed by Absolar for Southampton property portfolios - an industrial park

Lower Costs, Higher Yields

British farming has always been an industry built on progress, from the first mechanical harvesters to today’s precision agriculture and smart irrigation systems. Farms across the UK produce food for millions, sustain rural economies, and protect vital landscapes.

This progress depends on reliable infrastructure and efficient use of resources. Energy plays a major role in everything from running machinery and lighting barns to powering cold storage and processing facilities. The more efficiently this energy is produced and managed, the stronger the long-term outlook for the farm and the wider agricultural sector.

Renewables like Solar give farmers the chance to cut costs, reduce emissions and become more resilient. It's a win-win for the farm and the planet.

Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers Union (NFU) [read here]

A tailored approach to solar for agriculture

Absolar uses high-resolution LiDAR mapping and advanced AI to assess each building on a farm or agricultural estate for solar potential. This includes evaluating:

  • Roof size, orientation, and shading from nearby trees or structures
  • Seasonal sunlight patterns specific to the location
  • Structural suitability for installation without disruption to operations

The result is a clear ranking of buildings by suitability and return potential. This gives farm owners the confidence to invest in the highest-value sites first, creating a phased rollout plan that delivers early savings and reinvestment opportunities.

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Newlands & Grange Farm Case Study

Client Overview

Belcher Farms operates several agricultural sites across the region, including Newlands Farm and Grange Farm — both mixed-use sites with high year-round energy demands from livestock operations, machinery, and tenant use. Like many farms, these sites were facing mounting pressure from rising electricity prices and other economic challenges.

The Challenge

The client sought a long-term energy solution that would:

  • Offset rising electricity costs
  • Improve energy resilience and monitoring
  • Align with the family’s environmental values
  • Support broader sustainability objectives across the estate

Project Objectives

The goal was to reduce energy costs at Newlands and Grange Farm and generate a seasonal energy surplus during summer months. Exported energy would provide a revenue stream to offset higher consumption in winter.

Absolar conducted remote assessments across four farm sites. Newlands and Grange Farms were prioritised due to their high energy usage and suitability for solar.

Absolar engineers delivering landmark solar projects for Draper Tools
nic steve

Solution Design

Absolar’s Remote Solar Assessment platform enabled rapid, accurate reviews of each site. Tailored system designs were developed for both farms, focusing on maximum self-consumption with the ability to export surplus energy under a preferential tariff secured by Absolar.

Results at a Glance

  • Installed capacity: 137 kWp
  • Solar Panels: 305
  • Estimated annual output: 136,055 kWh
  • Annual energy savings: c.£27,000
  • Payback period: 4 years and 9 months (conservative)
  • CO2 saved annually: 34.4 Tonnes
  • Energy independence: over 80%

Non-Financial Impact

This installation is part of Belcher Farms’ broader transition to sustainable agriculture. Beyond financial savings, the project reinforces their commitment to responsible land stewardship and environmental leadership for future generations.

Looking Ahead

Building on the success at Newlands and Grange Farms, Belcher Farms and Absolar are planning additional installations across other sites in the estate — especially in the dairy sector, where consistent energy demand makes solar particularly impactful.

Key Learnings & Best Practices

  • Think portfolio-wide, not project-by-project: A multi-site view helps prioritise the most impactful installations.
  • Design around livestock and operations: Strategic inverter placement and roof access planning can prevent operational disruptions.
  • Secure export rates early: Working with solar specialists like Absolar and leveraging the AbsolarCare service helps optimise financial returns.
Academic buildings connected to solar energy systems provided by Absolar

Reviews

The solar PV system has been a significant investment for us as a business but one that we hope represents our commitment to the future and to sustainable business practices. We might be over 100 years old but we’re not standing still, we’re always looking to the future, adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers.

Matt Sheen, CEO at Draper Tools

matt sheen phtot

I had the privilege of unveiling Draper Tools' ambitious 900+ solar panel installation at their North Baddesley site this week. This is already generating 73% of the facility’s power needs and is set to prevent over 100 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

Delivered by local solar specialists Absolar, this project sets a strong example of how businesses can lead the way in sustainability while also securing long-term energy savings.

Caroline Nokes, MP

caroline phtoo

An exceptional service from start to finish. Planning, preparation and installation of our 489 PV panels was completed with clear and detailed communication and there was no interference to day-to-day operations. Highly recommended.

Chris Hobbs, Business Development Director at Hobbs the Printer

chris phtoo

From the very first meeting, I was won over and every touch point since has just reinforced my view of Absolar. They are brilliant and at what they do - and infectiously passionate about it. The initial proposal was logically laid out, compelling and contained all the financial justification elements a business would need (this made a potentially subjective decision highly objective). Having had our system for 3 years, we have experienced amazing ongoing collaboration and support. I could not be happier with our PV system and the support we get from Absolar… just awesome...

Dr Stephen Rowe, Managing Director at DEKRA UK

stephen rowe photo

Relevant Projects

Agriculture

Belcher Farms operates multiple agricultural sites across the region, including Newlands Farm and Grange Farm, mixed-use sites with high year-round energy demands from livestock operations, machinery and tenant occupants. Like many farms, these were facing significant cost pressure due to the continued rise in energy prices amongst other economic burdens.

...

Read More

Relevant Projects

Agriculture

Belcher Farms operates multiple agricultural sites across the region, including Newlands Farm and Grange Farm, mixed-use sites with high year-round energy demands from livestock operations, machinery and tenant occupants. Like many farms, these were facing significant cost pressure due to the continued rise in energy prices amongst other economic burdens.

...

Read More
whitepaper by Absolar
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Whitepaper - Unlocking the Potential of Commercial Solar

Our latest whitepaper is designed to help businesses and commercial landlords navigate the opportunities and challenges of solar energy adoption. This in-depth guide explores the key steps to developing successful commercial solar projects, whether you own a single property or manage a diverse portfolio. Drawing on our real-world experience, the whitepaper covers everything from assessing rooftop suitability to understanding performance guarantees and compliance requirements.

Crucially, it also breaks down the latest financing options available, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), capital investment models, and landlord-tenant cost-sharing strategies. For commercial landlords, we offer practical guidance on how to structure solar projects that align with lease terms and add long-term value to your properties. Whether you're looking to reduce operational costs, meet ESG targets, or attract sustainability-minded tenants, this whitepaper is your essential roadmap to making solar work for your business.

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