Farms have big roofs, spare land and plenty of daytime demand, and they’re often paid very little for the power they export. BrightEdge Solar designs and installs solar PV and battery storage for farms and rural businesses: on asbestos and fibre-cement sheds, new steel-framed buildings, re-clad stores and open ground. We’re based in Beverley, East Yorkshire, and have installed on farms and rural sites across East and North Yorkshire. We work across the UK.
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Workshops, lighting, ventilation, refrigeration, machinery and farm offices all draw power while the sun is up. Power you use on site saves the full price you’d otherwise pay for it.
Holiday lets, farm shops and yards can run on the same system. Power can be trenched and ducted to nearby buildings.
From off-site design to aftercare
We study the site from satellite and mapping data and send an initial design and quote, subject to survey.
We survey the roof or ground, structure, supply, cable routes and where a battery could go. You then get a clear final price, contract terms and our workmanship guarantee.
We handle G99, planning where needed and other approvals. Then scaffolding, and installation by our own electricians.
A handover pack, monitoring set-up and your insurance-backed warranty registered for you. Optional annual maintenance to MCS MIS3002.
We study the site from satellite and mapping data and send an initial design and quote, subject to survey.
We survey the roof or ground, structure, supply, cable routes and where a battery could go. You then get a clear final price, contract terms and our workmanship guarantee.
We handle G99, planning where needed and other approvals. Then scaffolding, and installation by our own electricians.
A handover pack, monitoring set-up and your insurance-backed warranty registered for you. Optional annual maintenance to MCS MIS3002.
See our recent projects
These need care, because some sheets can’t take foot traffic or fixings. At North Dalton we fitted lightweight JA Solar panels to a split corrugated and asbestos roof. Where a roof isn’t suitable, options include over-cladding or putting the array somewhere else.
Trapezoidal sheeting is quick to build on. At Ellerton we installed across two newly built agricultural sheds.
If the roof sheets are past their best, re-clad first, then add solar. At Little Habton we re-clad an old store in trapezoidal sheeting and turned it into a solar and battery store.
At Wapplington near Pocklington we installed a ground-mounted array on ballasted mounts, which need no piling or concrete foundations and can be moved or extended later.
Sometimes. It depends on the condition of the sheets and whether they can take fixings. At North Dalton we fitted lightweight panels to a split corrugated and asbestos roof. Where a roof isn’t suitable, options include over-cladding or putting the array elsewhere.
Yes. At Ellerton we used two 8 kW single-phase inverters and fitted a new single-phase distribution board. We check your supply at survey and tell you what it can take.
Often, because export rates can be very low. One farm client was offered just 4p/kWh, so we installed 41.93 kWh of storage to use that power on site instead. We model your half-hourly data before recommending a size.
Only if it’s designed for backup. For a farm-based business in the East Riding we installed a Sigenergy system with 60 kW of whole-building backup. If backup matters to you, tell us at the start.
Many rooftop systems on farm buildings fall under permitted development. Listed buildings, conservation areas and protected landscapes have tighter rules, and ground-mounted arrays may need planning depending on size and location. We check and apply if needed.
Rooftop solar typically costs about £17,000–£21,000 for 30 kWp, £28,000–£37,000 for 50 kWp and £50,000–£65,000 for 100 kWp, excluding VAT. Batteries typically cost about £350–£450 per kWh installed. Ground-mounted arrays and re-cladding are priced after survey.
Many farms only have a single-phase supply, and that doesn’t rule solar out. At Ellerton we used two 8 kW single-phase Solis inverters and fitted a new single-phase distribution board. On three-phase farms we use three-phase inverters, such as the 20 kW Solis unit at North Dalton or Fox ESS and Sigenergy hybrids for battery systems. We check your supply at survey.
Solar on a farm building can also supply nearby holiday lets, lodges or a farm shop. At North Dalton, alongside the shed array, we fitted a 22 kW Myenergi Zappi charger in the car park, so holiday-let guests can charge their cars on surplus solar instead of it being exported for very little.
Most farm systems are big enough to need G99 approval from the network operator before installation (anything over 16A per phase, about 3.68 kW single-phase or 11.04 kW three-phase). Across Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire that’s Northern Powergrid. Rural networks can be limited, so the DNO may restrict how much you export. We design around that with export limitation, a battery, or both. Our ground-mounted system at Wapplington near Pocklington uses a Solis Export Power Manager for exactly this. G99 approval typically adds 8–12 weeks, and we prepare the application and deal with the DNO for you. G99 applications explained.
Many rooftop systems on farm buildings fall under permitted development, subject to conditions and size limits. Listed buildings, conservation areas and protected landscapes have tighter rules, and ground-mounted arrays may need planning depending on their size and location. We check your site and handle the application if one is needed.
Indicative installed costs for rooftop solar PV on commercial and farm buildings (ex VAT):
Battery storage typically costs about £350–£450 per kWh installed, including the hybrid inverter. Prices exclude VAT. Asbestos or fibre-cement roofs, re-cladding, ground mounting, trenching and long cable runs are priced after survey, because they vary so much between farms. Every quote lists equipment, installation, scaffolding and DNO costs separately.
“Our solar array was fitted extremely fast with the team working late hours in order to get the array up as fast as they could, they caused no disruption to our holiday rentals and were professional throughout.”
Operational farm and holiday lets, North Dalton
“Extremely professional service at a surprisingly competitive price. It’s clear these guys really take pride in what they offer.”
Agricultural and garden supplier, Ellerton
Send us a recent electricity bill and tell us about your buildings and land. Choose “My Farm” on the form and we’ll come back with an initial design.
Book a free farm survey · Call 01482 765063 · info@brightedgesolar.com
BrightEdge Solar Ltd, Colonial House, Swinemoor Lane, Beverley HU17 0LS. MCS certified (NIC-601602). RECC member.