Why solar PV makes economic sense for this sector
UK hop production is concentrated in Kent, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and a smaller acreage in Sussex. The sector combines traditional hop drying (oast houses) with modern brewing-quality production — both with significant solar PV opportunities.
What this sector typically operates
Hop farms typically operate: hop yards (vine-grown trellis structures with no solar relevance); oast houses (traditional drying kilns, increasingly with high heat demand); processing and storage buildings; on-farm brewery facilities where present. Modern hop production has shifted significantly toward mechanised drying with high electrical load.
Sector-specific PV considerations
Hop farm PV considerations: harvest-season electrical peak (typically September drying, intensive 4-6 weeks); oast house heat demand can be paired with solar thermal or solar PV + heat pump combinations; modern drying kilns are typically electric (solar PV directly substitutes); processing and storage buildings have moderate year-round baseload; tourism activity at on-farm breweries adds visitor-centre PV opportunity.
Typical system specification and economics
Typical UK hop farm PV install: 50-300 kW. Cost £40,000-£250,000. Payback 5-7 years for installs paired with electric drying; 6-8 years for installs at processing-only farms.
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. Matched installers quote across this sector routinely.
Common questions
Is solar economic for our specific sector?
Yes for most operations in this sector. Payback typically 5-7 years for installs paired with electric drying; 6-8 years for installs at processing-only farms. 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 4-12p/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.
Other specialist farm sub-sectors we cover
We work across specialist UK agricultural sub-sectors. Related sector pages: