Why solar PV makes economic sense for this sector
UK fruit growing — apples, pears, soft fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants), top fruit, plums — has significant solar PV opportunity on cold storage, packing, and grading buildings. Major regions: Kent, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Vale of Evesham, East Anglia, Tayside (Scottish berries).
What this sector typically operates
UK fruit growers typically operate: orchards or polytunnels (limited solar relevance directly); cold storage and CA (Controlled Atmosphere) facilities (substantial 24/7 electrical baseload); packing and grading lines (substantial seasonal electrical demand); refrigerated transport loading; visitor centre and farm shop infrastructure.
Sector-specific PV considerations
Fruit grower PV considerations: cold storage baseload provides excellent PV self-consumption (typically 90%+); CA stores particularly well-matched (continuous refrigeration year-round); packing lines have strong seasonal electrical demand matching summer-autumn PV peaks; supermarket supplier Scope 3 expectations particularly material for fresh produce — solar generates auditable Scope 2 reduction evidence; polytunnel ground-mount potential where vineyard acreage allows.
Typical system specification and economics
Typical UK fruit grower PV install: 100-500 kW. Cost £80,000-£425,000. Payback 4.5-6 years for cold-store-paired installs. Excellent supplier-audit positioning for Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, Waitrose direct-supply growers.
How we deliver in this sector
Every project starts with a free desk-based feasibility study from your half-hourly meter data and building dimensions. We share an indicative system size, generation forecast, self-consumption ratio, and 25-year financial model within 7 working days. We've delivered solar across this sector since 2019.
Common questions
Is solar economic for our specific sector?
Yes for most operations in this sector. Payback typically 4. Send us your half-hourly meter data and we deliver a free desk feasibility within 7 working days showing system-specific economics.
What grants apply to our sector?
100% Annual Investment Allowance is universal for incorporated farms. SFI 2025 biodiversity actions apply across all sectors. Smart Export Guarantee 8-15p/kWh on surplus generation. Welsh and Scottish farms have additional devolved schemes.
How long does install take?
From contract to commissioning: 4-7 months typical for rooftop PV; 6-9 months for combined re-roof + PV. We schedule works around the operation's busy seasons.
Can we install on older buildings with asbestos cement?
Yes — under a combined re-roof + PV programme. HSE-licensed asbestos removal followed by profiled steel re-cladding followed by PV. The PV business case typically pays for 60-100% of the re-roof over 25 years.