Guest blog by Energy Now
Energy Now is excited to announce a collaboration with the leading industry event Solar & Storage Live to help facilitate the continued adoption of solar energy systems on farms and estates across the UK.
Energy Now has provided farmers and landowners with independent insight and guidance on renewables, energy efficiency and other low-carbon measures since 2007, with the popular magazine converting to an online platform in 2020.
The site’s content includes industry news, advice, case studies, interviews, webinars, details of relevant events and a directory of suppliers that farmers and landowners can turn to when exploring their renewable energy needs.
Solar-Coaster
It is fair to say that the solar industry has been somewhat of a ‘solar-coaster’ in the UK’s Government subsidy schemes.
The Feed-in Tariff and Renewable Obligation Certificate encouraged farmers and landowners across the country to invest in rooftop schemes and enter land leasing arrangements to take advantage of the returns available.
This was replaced by a relative period of inactivity once the support mechanisms were dramatically cut and then removed due to the unsustainable nature of the numbers involved. Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic further hampered development.
Fast forward to today and the landscape is incredibly different.
Lower technology costs, high energy prices, decent export tariffs and a much greater emphasis on the reduction of GHG emissions have made solar PV and associated battery technologies a worthwhile investment for many businesses, enabling the solar industry to drive forward in a subsidy-free environment.
Key role of farmers and landowners
As part of its pledge to make the UK a ‘clean energy superpower’, the new Labour government wishes to fully decarbonise our power system and triple solar capacity by 2030.
Increased collaboration between the solar sector and the UK’s agricultural communities is critical to achieving these goals, building on the existing symbiotic relationship and bringing much-needed financial and environmental benefits to the nation’s farmers.
“It has been a genuine pleasure to work with farmers and landowners throughout the UK these past few decades, helping them realise the financial and environmental benefits and the well-chosen system will provide,” Energy Now Publisher David Jacobmeyer says.
“The agricultural and rural communities continue to play an essential role in the development of the clean energy sector and our country’s journey to Net Zero, and we are excited to be working with Solar & Storage Live to help broadcast the opportunities, facilitate discussions and drive forward our energy transition.”
Looking to promote your company and its’ services to farmers and/or landowners? Contact Energy Now today for more information on the options available.
