Solar Panels for Cattle Sheds

The vast majority of portal frame steel cattle sheds built from 1990 onwards are well suited to solar panel installation. These buildings typically feature purlins at 1.2 metre centres and structural steelwork designed to carry snow loads well in excess of the additional weight imposed by a solar array, which averages around 12 to 15 kg per square metre. Provided the roof cladding is in reasonable condition, installation can proceed with standard in-roof or on-roof mounting systems. Buildings constructed before 1980 present a more varied picture: older stone and brick cattle yards, traditional hemmel buildings, and pre-war timber structures may require a structural survey before installation can be confirmed. Our surveyors will assess your buildings as part of the free site survey and identify whether any strengthening or re-roofing work is needed before panels can be fitted.

Solar panels do continue to generate electricity in winter, though output drops significantly compared to the summer months. A well-sited UK system will typically produce 60 to 70 percent less energy in December and January than in June and July. For cattle buildings, this matters because the housing period — when electrical loads from ventilation, feeding systems, and scrapers are at their highest — overlaps with the lowest solar generation months. The good news is that modern battery storage can help bridge this gap by capturing midday solar generation and releasing it during the early morning and evening feeding periods. It is also worth noting that for beef and store cattle units where animals graze outdoors from spring through autumn, the summer months when solar generation peaks may coincide with lower building loads. Our sizing calculations account for this seasonal mismatch to ensure the system still delivers strong financial returns year-round.

Open-sided cattle yards and traditional yards with partial walls are generally not suitable for conventional rooftop solar installation. The exposed roof structure in these buildings does not provide adequate weather protection for the inverters, wiring, and mounting hardware, and the open sides make it difficult to secure cable runs safely. In many cases, however, a ground-mounted solar array positioned adjacent to the yard is a practical and cost-effective alternative. Ground-mounted systems can be oriented and tilted for optimum generation, are straightforward to maintain, and can be sized independently of roof area constraints. They are also increasingly popular on beef and store cattle farms where building roof space is limited. We can assess your land and yard layout as part of a free survey and advise on the best approach for your site.

Solar can deliver a strong return on a beef farm, but the economics are most compelling where annual electricity consumption exceeds 10,000 kWh per year. Below this threshold, the system may be oversized relative to on-site demand, resulting in a high proportion of exported electricity that attracts lower Smart Export Guarantee rates rather than displacing grid imports at full unit cost. For farms with lower consumption figures, a ground-mounted system rather than a roof array can improve the economics by reducing installation complexity and cost. Payback periods on beef and store cattle farms typically range from 6 to 8 years for rooftop systems and can be extended slightly for smaller operations, though the 25-year generation profile still delivers a substantial long-term benefit. We can model your specific consumption data to determine whether a roof or ground-mounted approach gives you the best return, and our flexible financing options, including Power Purchase Agreements, can make solar viable with no upfront capital outlay. Visit our <a href="/ppa" class="text-primary-600 hover:text-primary-700 underline">PPA page</a> or <a href="/financing" class="text-primary-600 hover:text-primary-700 underline">financing page</a> for more information.

Yes. All grid-connected solar installations require notification to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) — the company that owns and operates the electricity network in your area. For systems up to 3.68 kW, a simple G98 notification is sufficient and can often be submitted by your installer on your behalf before or shortly after commissioning. For systems between 3.68 kW and 50 kW, a G99 application must be submitted and approved before the system is energised; DNO approval typically takes four to eight weeks. Systems above 50 kW require a more detailed G100 or bespoke connection agreement, which may involve reinforcement works on the local network. Most commercial cattle shed installations fall within the G99 range. You should also notify your electricity supplier to register for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which pays you for any surplus electricity exported to the grid. We manage all DNO applications and SEG registration as part of our standard installation service, so you do not need to deal with the paperwork directly.