Are Solar Panels Worth It for Scottish Farms and Rural Businesses?

Why Are Farms Well-Suited to Solar Panels?

Farms often have large roof areas on barns and outbuildings, plus unused land for ground-mounted arrays, making them ideal for solar PV installations.

Farms and rural estates are particularly well-suited to solar panels because they typically have large roof areas on barns, sheds and outbuildings, as well as unused land that could accommodate ground-mounted arrays. This means a farm can often install a larger system than a typical residential property, generating more electricity. If your farm or business uses most of its electricity during the day — for lighting, ventilation, refrigeration, machinery or irrigation — solar PV can offset a significant share of your grid consumption. Our site survey assesses your available roof or ground space, orientation, shading and electricity usage to design a system suited to your operation. See our commercial solar page for more detail.

How Much Can Farms Save with Solar?

Savings depend on your daytime electricity usage, tariff, available roof or ground space, and any export payments. We assess all of these during your site survey.

The financial benefit of solar for a farm or rural business depends on several factors. Daytime usage is the most important — the more of your electricity you consume during the hours your panels are generating, the greater the saving, because you are buying less from the grid. Your electricity tariff determines how much each kilowatt-hour of self-generated solar is worth. The area available for panels sets the maximum system size. Any surplus electricity you export to the grid may earn export payments, depending on your energy supplier and contract. Because every business is different, we provide tailored quotes after a site survey rather than quoting fixed figures. See our costs page for more on what affects the price.

Can I Add Battery Storage and EV Charging?

Yes. Battery storage and EV charging points can be integrated with your commercial solar system, designed together as one system.

Battery storage lets you store surplus solar generation outside daylight hours, helping you maximise self-consumption and reduce peak-time grid draw. This is useful for farms and businesses that operate in the evening or early morning. EV charging points can also be integrated for fleet or staff vehicles, connected to your solar and battery system where possible. We design the full system together so the components work as one. Installation is carried out through our MCS-certified partners. You can also read our guide on adding a battery to existing solar panels if you already have solar PV installed.

What About Ground-Mounted Solar Arrays?

Ground-mounted arrays can be installed on unused land, allowing for larger systems than roof-mounted panels. Our survey assesses the available land and advises on suitability.

If your farm has unused or underutilised land, a ground-mounted solar array can be a good option. Ground-mounted systems allow for larger installations than roof-mounted panels, because the available area is not limited by roof size. They can also be positioned for optimal orientation and angle. Our site survey assesses the available land, its orientation, any shading, and ground conditions to advise on suitability and system size. Planning considerations may apply to ground-mounted arrays, and we can advise on this during the survey. The 0% VAT rate that applies until 31 March 2027 also applies to qualifying installations.

How Does the Commercial Solar Process Work?

The process has four steps: site survey, system design, installation through our MCS-certified partners, and ongoing aftercare.

The process for farms and businesses is similar to our residential process. First, we arrange a no-obligation site survey of your premises, assessing roof or ground space, orientation, shading and electricity usage. Second, we design a solar PV, battery and EV charging system tailored to your building and consumption profile. Third, installation is carried out through our MCS-certified partners. Fourth, we provide ongoing support after installation, including guidance on monitoring and maintenance. The survey and quotes are at no cost and there is no obligation to proceed. See our how it works page for more detail.

What Finance Is Available for Farm Solar?

Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status, is available to spread the cost of a solar or battery installation.

Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status, is available for farms and businesses that would like to spread the cost of a solar PV or battery installation. Our team can talk you through the options once you have your quotes. Any finance is arranged subject to eligibility and status checks. To get started, fill in our quote form or call us on 0141 230 0198. You can also learn more about solar panel finance options.

For more information, visit More answers from Scottish Energy Efficiency.