Power Up Your Farm: Improving Farm Productivity Solar Grants are Back!
Calling all farmers! The Improving Farm Productivity (IFP) solar grant is back for Round 2, offering an exciting opportunity to boost your farm’s energy resilience, reduce costs, and contribute to a greener future. Funded by Defra and administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), this grant provides 25% of the capital cost for installing solar equipment on your farm.
To help you prepare, we’ve published guidance from GOV.UK
The Improving Farm Productivity solar grant is designed to support the installation of solar equipment on farm roofs and reservoirs (as well as robotic and automatic machinery). It is part of Defra’s drive to improve energy resilience and encourage electrification in agriculture. However, the focus is not simply on subsidising new solar panels, points out the NFU’s chief renewable energy and climate change adviser Dr Jonathan Scurlock.
“Given higher electricity costs, the business case for solar without support has improved on many farms,” he says.
“Barriers to deployment are often more around available grid capacity, which is why the NFU worked hard with Defra to ensure the scheme includes funding towards equipment that can help farmers maximise on-site use and reduce the amount going into the grid.”
A dairy farm with an ice builder, for example, might be able to install reverse power relays and power diverters, so solar-generated electricity can charge the thermal store during the day, rather than exporting that power to the grid.
This could allow a larger rooftop array to be installed than might otherwise have been possible given limited grid capacity, says Jonathan.
Why Solar?
The benefits of solar energy for farms are numerous:
- Reduce energy bills: Generate your own clean electricity and save money on grid-supplied power.
- Increase energy resilience: Be less reliant on the grid, ensuring your farm operates even during outages.
- Improve sustainability: Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment.
- Maximise on-site use: The grant supports equipment like power diverters, allowing you to store excess energy and use it when needed.
What’s Covered?
The grant covers a wide range of equipment, including:
- Solar PV panels
- Battery storage
- Inverters
- Utility meters
- Electrical grid connections
- Power diverters
- Installation and commissioning
Funding Details:
- Grant amounts range from £15,000 to £100,000.
- You must cover remaining project costs yourself.
- Separate applications are required for solar and farm productivity grants, with a combined maximum grant of £500,000.
How to Apply:
The application process is two-stage:
- Online checker: Opens now and closes 21 March 2024. Enter basic details to see if you’re eligible and how your project aligns with funding priorities.
- Full application: If successful in stage 1, you’ll be invited to submit a detailed application.
Don’t miss out on this chance to power up your farm! Visit the GOV.UK website for full details and application guidance: How to apply guidance