Dairy farm - 75KWh Solar PV

Ridgend Farm - Wichenford

The agricultural sector, particularly dairy farms, is energy-intensive due to the need for various equipment and facilities such as milk cooling, lighting, ventilation, and water pumping. The rising operational costs associated with electricity consumption make it crucial for dairy farms to explore sustainable energy solutions like solar PV.

Farm Energy Demand

During the summer months, dairy farms experience an increase in energy demand due to factors such as increased milk production, higher cooling requirements for milk storage, increased water pumping for irrigation, and general ventilation. This spike in energy demand coincides with the peak yield of solar PV systems, making it ideal for solar energy utilization.

Solar PV System Installation:

Omega Electrical installed a solar PV system on the rooftop of the farms best orientated sheds. The system had a capacity of 75 kilowatts (kW) and consisted of 136 solar panels, inverters, and a monitoring system.

Benefits and Cost Savings:

Electricity Generation and Cost Offset:

During the summer months, solar PV systems generate a higher amount of electricity due to increased sunlight hours and solar irradiation. This aligns perfectly with the farm's increased energy demand, allowing the solar energy to directly offset the electricity consumed, thereby reducing operational costs.

Financial Savings:

By generating their own electricity, the dairy farm reduces its reliance on the grid, leading to significant cost savings in the long term. The farm can either use the excess energy produced during peak periods or export it to the grid, earning additional revenue through feed-in tariffs or net metering.

Environmental Benefits:

Solar PV systems are a clean and renewable energy source, producing electricity without emissions or greenhouse gases. By utilizing solar energy, the dairy farm reduces its carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability and demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices.

Energy Independence and Reliability:

Installing solar PV systems grants the agricultural dairy farm greater energy independence and reliability. It reduces vulnerability to grid fluctuations, ensuring continuous electricity supply for critical operations, such as milk cooling and ventilation, which are vital for maintaining the quality and safety of dairy products.

Regular maintenance and monitoring of the solar PV system are crucial to ensure optimal performance and identify any issues promptly. The farm implemented a maintenance schedule and employed experts to conduct periodic inspections, clean the solar panels, and address any technical concerns.

Conclusion:

The addition of solar PV at the agricultural dairy farm proved to be a beneficial investment for offsetting operational costs. By aligning the farm's increased energy demand during the summer months with the peak yield of solar PV systems, the farm experienced substantial financial savings, environmental benefits, energy independence, and reliability. A perfect example of how solar PV technology can be effectively integrated into agricultural operations to reduce costs and promote sustainable practices.