Solar farm cold calls.

[Vader]

We had 3 different firms call in last week asking about some of our land for a solar farm.
All wanting for us to sign a letter to let them apply for us.
No cost, no obligation.
Sounds dodgy.
At least 1 of them been to another local farm.

Never heard of the firms.
Scams going about ??

 

[flowerpot]

I had one this morning.

It wasn't just for a solar farm, they would come out and have a look to see what might be the best option, maybe battery storage. I guess that they telephoned us as we have pylons going across our ground. In some fields its like a cat's cradle of criss-cross lines of varying power lines. Fortunately not near the house or spoiling our view from the kitchen!

They obviously think that with that Global Warming report that renewable energy is going to be even more in demand.

I'm not sure that it is an actual scam, it sounded more like a sort of planning consultant firm, who looks to get the best price from builders for developing the land, depending on the site and how many houses can be constructed, for example.

Thinks - why go through them rather than direct, and cut out the middle man. But I suppose they have the contacts and know who to approach and should be working for you - but getting their cut obviously.

Some land agents are doing that around here for barn conversions - will do all the planning applications for free, but get a guaranteed cut of the selling price at the end.

I told him his timing wasn't great, with the combine just setting out!

But with all these kinds of arrangements, whether planning or solar, you need an experienced solicitor to look over the contracts to make sure you are not being ripped off.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

There will have been a network upgrade in your area recently meaning your land might have viability Which wafts our to the industry like wasps to a picnic!

they will likely be after 200+ acres and might pay you £160-200k per annum for 30+ years for it.

if that appeals then check them all out, you want one with deep pockets and good history.

pm if you want more help, I’ve been in your shoes a few times

 

[Doing it for the kids]

I had one this morning.

It wasn't just for a solar farm, they would come out and have a look to see what might be the best option, maybe battery storage. I guess that they telephoned us as we have pylons going across our ground. In some fields its like a cat's cradle of criss-cross lines of varying power lines. Fortunately not near the house or spoiling our view from the kitchen!

They obviously think that with that Global Warming report that renewable energy is going to be even more in demand.

I'm not sure that it is an actual scam, it sounded more like a sort of planning consultant firm, who looks to get the best price from builders for developing the land, depending on the site and how many houses can be constructed, for example.

Thinks - why go through them rather than direct, and cut out the middle man. But I suppose they have the contacts and know who to approach and should be working for you - but getting their cut obviously.

Some land agents are doing that around here for barn conversions - will do all the planning applications for free, but get a guaranteed cut of the selling price at the end.

I told him his timing wasn't great, with the combine just setting out!

But with all these kinds of arrangements, whether planning or solar, you need an experienced solicitor to look over the contracts to make sure you are not being ripped off.

this game isn’t for the short arm deep pocket brigade. Time is also at a premium, once grid is booked up that’s it for another few years.

most will probably spend £100-200k easily before they have much idea if they have any chance of getting planning. Then probably 18 months of planning before they have the chance of building. It’s a long term game

 

[Vader]

They said need to get our capacity booked in before others get it.
Was suspicious as 2 fields they marked on a map run upto a ridge.
But on opposite sides..
So sure both can not be good for solar.
Looks like they done no research apart from looking at a map for location.

 

[som farmer]

friend of ours, ex air traffic control, armed forces, carved out a very lucrative business, providing the information, for civil air traffic, as to the chances of getting past them, for wind turbines, having been in the business, he could tell you, immediately, whether you might get, or definitely wouldn't get, permission for turbines, we can not, shite ! But, he will tell you, it's an absolute nightmare getting permission, because no one want's them on their doorstep. But, he did say, there's some 'new' incentives coming in, which explain renewed interests. At least he was honest, and would say straight away, if no chance, and would advise you to get professional help. Now retired, with a house we can only dream of, with a yacht, close by.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

They said need to get our capacity booked in before others get it.
Was suspicious as 2 fields they marked on a map run upto a ridge.
But on opposite sides..
So sure both can not be good for solar.
Looks like they done no research apart from looking at a map for location.

planning in for 200 acres around here, on a North facing slope, in green belt! anything is possible it seems.

Grid is key, planning comes 2nd

friend of ours, ex air traffic control, armed forces, carved out a very lucrative business, providing the information, for civil air traffic, as to the chances of getting past them, for wind turbines, having been in the business, he could tell you, immediately, whether you might get, or definitely wouldn't get, permission for turbines, we can not, shite ! But, he will tell you, it's an absolute nightmare getting permission, because no one want's them on their doorstep. But, he did say, there's some 'new' incentives coming in, which explain renewed interests. At least he was honest, and would say straight away, if no chance, and would advise you to get professional help. Now retired, with a house we can only dream of, with a yacht, close by.

Solar makes very little difference to aircraft. i know of one half a mile from a runway.

obv wind turbines are a different chat!

 

[som farmer]

planning in for 200 acres around here, on a North facing slope, in green belt! anything is possible it seems.

Grid is key, planning comes 2nd



Solar makes very little difference to aircraft. i know of one half a mile from a runway.

obv wind turbines are a different chat!

main point, there's a new lot of guv money about, so fits are looking different again.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

main point, there's a new lot of guv money about, so fits are looking different again.

Are you talking about wind or solar?

 

[som farmer]

both, part of carbon neutral drive.

 

[Still Farming]

both, part of carbon neutral drive.

Or offsetting by airports etc in example above possibly??

 

[som farmer]

and approached by 'people' with a ruthless attitude, completely different industry to ag, with a completely different approach/mindset, and ethics.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

both, part of carbon neutral drive.

As far as I was aware FIT was closed. besides, FIT‘s was never relevant to large scale PV?

and approached by 'people' with a ruthless attitude, completely different industry to ag, with a completely different approach/mindset, and ethics.

ag is a unique industry though, easy to forget.

renewables is cut throat for sure, there is a lot of money to be made buts it’s an explosive sector not helped / fuelled by government involvement.

for the right site, using crappy wet blackgrass ridden man’s ground it’s a good use of land IMHO.

i actually find it really enjoyable and learnt a huge amount along the way.

you sound rather negative about it?

 

[Exfarmer]

As far as I was aware FIT was closed. besides, FIT‘s was never relevant to large scale PV?




ag is a unique industry though, easy to forget.

renewables is cut throat for sure, there is a lot of money to be made buts it’s an explosive sector not helped / fuelled by government involvement.

for the right site, using crappy wet blackgrass ridden man’s ground it’s a good use of land IMHO.

i actually find it really enjoyable and learnt a huge amount along the way.

you sound rather negative about it?

Fit was available to early developers up to I think 5 Mw schemes
Am aware of one local where the income is astronomic.
The landlord is taking as much in rent per annum as the land is worth.

 

[som farmer]

As far as I was aware FIT was closed. besides, FIT‘s was never relevant to large scale PV?




ag is a unique industry though, easy to forget.

renewables is cut throat for sure, there is a lot of money to be made buts it’s an explosive sector not helped / fuelled by government involvement.

for the right site, using crappy wet blackgrass ridden man’s ground it’s a good use of land IMHO.

i actually find it really enjoyable and learnt a huge amount along the way.

you sound rather negative about it?

bit pissy couldn't get a turbine !
but not really, chap local to us, started 'doing' water turbines, which have to be the least obtrusive of all, the archecmedies type, no environmental damage, the uproar, and obstacles' to overcome that resistance, and knowing a bit about turbines, just puts me off the hassle. We can't do turbines, no suitable water course, and panels, would be murder. Did look at solar, on buildings, but l/lord wanted all the benefit, so ##. Like many things, it will come, technology will be better, and public resistance will reduce (?).

 

[Exfarmer]

bit pissy couldn't get a turbine !
but not really, chap local to us, started 'doing' water turbines, which have to be the least obtrusive of all, the archecmedies type, no environmental damage, the uproar, and obstacles' to overcome that resistance, and knowing a bit about turbines, just puts me off the hassle. We can't do turbines, no suitable water course, and panels, would be murder. Did look at solar, on buildings, but l/lord wanted all the benefit, so ##. Like many things, it will come, technology will be better, and public resistance will reduce (?).

Sadly , as long as some one is turning a penny, there will be a Nimby objecting.
Just learnt our local green group is complaining about the lack of verge trimming!

 

[som farmer]

Sadly , as long as some one is turning a penny, there will be a Nimby objecting.
Just learnt our local green group is complaining about the lack of verge trimming!

old man used to say 'better to fall out nicely in the beginning, as nastily in the end', very good advice, if you do 'something' for them, they always come back for more, and never appreciate what you do for them, they just expect it. The only people in our hamlet, we speak to, are really nice ones, wouldn't even know most of the others.

 

[Werzle]

We had 3 different firms call in last week asking about some of our land for a solar farm.
All wanting for us to sign a letter to let them apply for us.
No cost, no obligation.
Sounds dodgy.
At least 1 of them been to another local farm.

Never heard of the firms.
Scams going about ??

I had a call yesterday, probably a good second income if you wanted to diversify abit. If i was interested i would go and ask the farmers that already have them before putting my faith in someone on the end of the phone though.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

bit pissy couldn't get a turbine !
but not really, chap local to us, started 'doing' water turbines, which have to be the least obtrusive of all, the archecmedies type, no environmental damage, the uproar, and obstacles' to overcome that resistance, and knowing a bit about turbines, just puts me off the hassle. We can't do turbines, no suitable water course, and panels, would be murder. Did look at solar, on buildings, but l/lord wanted all the benefit, so ##. Like many things, it will come, technology will be better, and public resistance will reduce (?).

sadly a lot of this is political.

many have the view that as their energy costs won’t fall because of this local generation, why should they tolerate it and not object.

drive out of Northampton and see the difference with renewables, turbines everywhere, cross the boarder and it Stops dead.

gov policy gets interpreted by each council so differently.

about to go back in to battle with ours, 2 yrs of sleeves rolled up

 

[Vader]

Bit different topic but...
Say developer takes on your land, 25 year job.
Year 23 the firm goes under, who pays to remove all the gear....?