Tackling the climate crisis will ultimately require another fundamental shift in the energy system. This is why there is such a worldwide scramble to develop stronger portfolios of utility-scale solar and battery storage assets.
These investments will dramatically change the UK’s energy landscape, connecting some of the biggest businesses to zero-carbon solar energy while implementing battery storage to help the grid manage the challenges of moving towards slightly intermittent renewable energy generation.
You have an exciting chance to join the revolution, particularly if you are a landowner.
Energy businesses are looking for locations for solar and battery storage investments. If you are a landowner, then they would likely love to partner up.
In the UK, more than 80 acres of Grade 3 agricultural land or lower in conjunction with a nearby grid connection is seen as the absolute perfect location for large-scale solar projects.
Even for those with less space, battery storage assets could be a fantastic option.
So, what’s it all about and why is it so brilliant for your business?
Is your land suitable for a solar farm or battery storage?
First, the parameters for if your land will be deemed suitable for battery storage or a solar farm.
The investments into energy assets will enable the country’s largest businesses to connect to zero-carbon solar energy while using battery storage to support the grid further.
Farmers or landowners with suitable land are in high demand for partnership deals across the UK which will provide a steady, sustainable, and significant income stream. All this while playing a crucial role in the UK’s journey to net zero.
So, what are the land requirements to get involved?
- Is your land near a good grid connection?
- Does your land have the right legal status?
- Is the site large enough?
- For solar, is the location sunny enough?
- Is your land away from residential areas?
- Is the terrain suitable?
Why is leasing land to solar companies quite so beneficial?
The number of solar farms continues to grow worldwide, with solar developers constantly needing more land for their facilities.
By teaming up with these companies, as a landowner, you will gain access to some incredible benefits.
A Second Income Stream
Obviously, the biggest benefit for landowners is the extra cash generated from having a facility on their property. By hosting a solar farm, you will receive rent payments from the partner company.
The amount that landowners receive is generally based on several factors; The going rates for leases in your area, market demand, how much work is needed to be done to prepare your land, and how close your land is to power lines and substations.
The revenue generated by leasing land to a solar company can be quite considerable. Especially at a time like just now where there is severe uncertainty and inconsistencies in the agricultural industry – a second income stream can be a big deal.
Sustainable Farming Practices
Farmers and landowners have the best first-hand knowledge on the impacts of climate change. By leasing out your land to solar companies, you can be comfortable in the knowledge you are attempting to reverse the current trajectory.
In doing this, you are actively combatting:
- More extreme weather conditions
- Increased drought severity and occurrences
- Higher flooding risks
- Late season frosts
- Increases in crop pests and pathogens
By participating in activities that reduce carbon emissions you are massively benefiting the agricultural industry. Leasing land to solar companies contributes to a sustainable farming industry for future generations.
Participating in any activities that reduce carbon emissions is helpful to the agricultural industry. By leasing land to solar companies, you contribute to sustaining the farming industry for future generations.
Allows Land Use for Other Farming Operations
Just because a portion of your farmland has been turned into a solar farm does not necessarily mean that you will have to cease farming practices.
Although it must be specified in the details of the lease, it is certainly possible to continue to use the leased land for other farming operations.
A great example of this is by using sheep – the perfect match for solar.
Sheep do not harm or disturb solar panels while grazing, and will actually keep the ground cover grazed to a suitable level.
In fact, some developers have already begun to use sheep as part of their operating process as it means they do not have to spend money on labor to mow the ground.
There are other opportunities too. Farmers may begin to grow new crops for specialty markets on the leased land. Heirloom tomatoes, peppers, herbs – all can likely flourish in the shade provided by solar panels.
Another initiative that some solar companies have already begun to avail of is to plant pollinator gardens or maintain beehives.
Lowering Energy Costs
By participating in an energy farm partnership on your land can save you a lot of money on your energy bill. It is possible to opt into programmes like this for your business as well as your residence, which can contribute to lowering your electricity costs to zero for part of or all of the year.
Any money that you do not have to pay out to make your business function is essentially more cash in your pockets.
The climate conscious choice
Tackle climate change requires a fundamental shift in the energy systems we use.
That’s why we at Energy Marketing and Trading are putting our full weight behind solutions that work for all of us.
Investments in solar will change the UK energy landscape as we work to connect some of the biggest businesses to zero-carbon energy, while we further implement battery storage to assist the grid.
We are currently looking for locations all across the UK for solar and battery storage investments – so if you are a land owner that is looking to join us in accelerating the UK’s low-carbon transmission while pocketing a tidy sum, we’d love to talk to you.