Roof array.

David.

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
J11 M40
Current electricity prices are making me seriously wonder whether to install one on the farm bungalow, and another on a shed roof at the farm. Separately metered supplies.
What are the pitfalls awaiting the unwary, and does anyone have a first hand contact of someone trustworthy that I could approach for advce/quotes. There must be electrical engineers who do these installations all the time.
I suspect I don't want the cold callers, or the ones with the glossy adverts.
 
Last edited:

Still Farming

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
South Wales UK
Suddenly phone calls started up stating new 5 k Government Grant's for energy technologies etc etc?
Not certain what about but today strimming by Mums home ,turned around and a chap, doorstep knockers on about it all again???
 

br jones

Member
Current electricity prices are making me seriously wonder whether to install one on the farm bungalow, and another on a shed roof at the farm. Separately metered supplies.
What are the pitfalls awaiting the unwary, and does anyone have a first hand contact of someone trustworthy that I could approach for advce/quotes. There must be electrical engineers who do the installations all the time.
I suspect I don't want the cold callers, or the ones with the glossy adverts.
caplor energy ,hereford ,good firm being going 25 years
 

HatsOff

Member
Mixed Farmer
Why not ground mounted? Easier to clean and cheaper to install.

Technically they need planning permission but for a small-ish array I think I'd risk it.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Why not ground mounted? Easier to clean and cheaper to install.

Technically they need planning permission but for a small-ish array I think I'd risk it.
I actually found my ground mount more expensive in some ways, but that was because I put the frame mounts on concrete railway sleepers.... temporary innit.... ;)

Also the location decided upon, was on top of a ground loop for the heat pump, so the sleepers technique was win-win. So easy for cleaning and maintenance, and a great place for the cade lambs to shelter under.
 

David.

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
J11 M40
I'm open to any advice really, it would be long term investment anyway so bit of lead time is neither here nor there?
I suppose everyone is hoping for some new Govt funding, but I expect price of installs varies to hoover up any incentives.
 

___\0/___

Member
Location
SW Scotland
Waiting for ours to be installed.
Grid connection can be a complete pain.
Possibly having to install a half hourly meter to export going by posts on here? (going to have to check that one as I would like to avoid)
Although no first hand knowledge I was told battery payback should be 5-7 years as they may need maintenance at that point.

You might need a structural survey on the roof.
 

Exfarmer

Member
Location
Bury St Edmunds
Waiting for ours to be installed.
Grid connection can be a complete pain.
Possibly having to install a half hourly meter to export going by posts on here? (going to have to check that one as I would like to avoid)
Although no first hand knowledge I was told battery payback should be 5-7 years as they may need maintenance at that point.

You might need a structural survey on the roof.
If you are bigger than do mestic yers youy will need an HH meter. And iof your operator is SMS dont hold your breath
 

upnortheast

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northumberland
Would a single high output sun tracker unit be more profitable?
My opinion. Too many moving parts to buy & maintain. I know of 3 installations that are in bits on the ground too often
Spend the money on more panels will give better return
 

e3120

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Northumberland
I actually found my ground mount more expensive in some ways, but that was because I put the frame mounts on concrete railway sleepers.... temporary innit.... ;)

Also the location decided upon, was on top of a ground loop for the heat pump, so the sleepers technique was win-win. So easy for cleaning and maintenance, and a great place for the cade lambs to shelter under.
Has this been running long? I'm interested in whether the heat pump loop is noticeably compromised by being in the shade and soil heat recharge reduced. Maybe your loop is well oversized, or only a small amount amount is shaded.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Has this been running long? I'm interested in whether the heat pump loop is noticeably compromised by being in the shade and soil heat recharge reduced. Maybe your loop is well oversized, or only a small amount amount is shaded.

Loop and HP was installed in 2011. Loop into a med heavy soil.

The shade effect for a heat pump ground loop is negligible, the important thing is moisture. What can be noticable is effect to growth in the dry Spring, as the loops will cool the ground. However a wet spring and no issues.

My feed to the pump room from the loop manifold is across the garden, about 40m, and you can see exactly wher the pipe is laid, especially in winter, as there are two strips that the frost stays on longer!
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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