Smarter solar, storage and strategy for UK agriculture
Tom Lloyd, Agri Segment Lead at RenEnergy, shares his thoughts on why quality matters just as much as sustainability in the agri sector.
Powering up the future of British farming
For decades, UK farmers and agri-businesses have faced rising input costs, volatile markets and increasingly complex sustainability regulations. At RenEnergy, we believe energy shouldn’t be one of those uncertainties.
Born from our deep agricultural roots, we continue to support the sector with bespoke solar PV and energy storage solutions. From cold stores that run 24/7 to seasonal operations hit hard by peak tariffs, we design systems that deliver financial resilience, grid independence and energy certainty.
Because in agriculture, quality matters. And the same should apply to your energy partner.
Agriculture’s electric evolution
The UK agricultural sector is steadily electrifying. From tractors and irrigation pumps to cooling systems and transport fleets, operations are shifting away from diesel. This transformation demands a more intelligent, site-specific energy strategy.
That’s where we come in. Our solutions are engineered to power this transition - reliably, efficiently, and sustainably.
“We understand the unique energy challenges faced by the agri sector because we’ve been here for years. We tailor every project to meet our clients’ usage, seasonality and infrastructure realities. Farmers and producers aren’t just looking for a green solution - they need partners who understand the rhythms of their operations, the pressure of harvest timelines, and the need for systems that simply work. At RenEnergy, we approach every agri project like a quality engineer - ensuring that solar integrates seamlessly, delivers reliably, and adds long-term value to the farm.”
- Tom Lloyd, Director of Sales & Agri Segment Lead
Our agricultural energy portfolio
Whether you’re running a processing facility or a packhouse, our flexible technologies can be tailored to meet your site conditions, infrastructure, and load profile.
Solutions include:
Carports: Dual-use structures that generate energy and support EV charging at depots, logistics hubs and admin centres.
Roof-mounted arrays: Ideal for barns, packing sheds and storage units – harnessing existing real estate to drive energy savings.
Ground-mounted arrays: A smart option for non-arable land, keeping productive fields in production.
Battery energy storage: Enables energy arbitrage and ensures continuity during high-demand periods.
Services include:
Consultancy: Feasibility studies, planning support, and financial modelling to de-risk investment decisions.
RenFree (PPA): Install solar at zero capital cost. Just pay for the energy you use, at a rate lower than grid prices.
Asset management: Long-term performance monitoring, maintenance and fault resolution – because returns matter over decades.
Shift & Save: Maximise solar returns
Agri operations often run outside typical solar hours. With our Shift & Save strategy, we optimise energy consumption through intelligent load shifting and energy storage. By storing solar or off-peak grid power for use during expensive peak hours, clients can:
Avoid peak energy tariffs
Improve ROI from solar
Increase operational stability
Reduce diesel reliance
This solution is particularly impactful for dairy farms with peak morning and evening energy demand, as well as operations that rely heavily on cold chain infrastructure - including cold storage and refrigeration in vegetable processing, packing and grading lines, and refrigerated transport depots.
Proven results in the field
A.H. Worth
A perfect match for a high-usage, year-round operation RenEnergy completed two separate solar PV installations for A.H. Worth, 350kWp and 630kWp respectively, the latter at their site in Fosdyke in 2023. Due to A.H. Worth’s large load profile, the solar PV design utilises both the South and North aspects of their roof. The low pitch of the roof means that the North face receives adequate solar irradiance. The Fosdyke site consumes over 99% of the solar generation; 592,034 kWh/year, providing annual CO2 savings of approximately 114,000kg.
Bernard Matthews
One of the UK’s largest agri-solar rollouts at the time: 6MW installed across 32 sites. This project featured a combination of roof and ground-mounted solar arrays, designed with a phased deployment strategy to ensure smooth implementation. Importantly, the installation was carefully managed to cause minimal disruption to livestock, allowing operations to continue uninterrupted.
Natures Menu
Faced with architectural constraints, we delivered a 522kWp system that covers 15% of annual demand. The system generates an impressive 459,475 kWh per year, delivering reliable clean energy with zero compromise on safety or performance - a true balance of efficiency and engineering excellence.
TC Fines
A 683 kWp ground-mounted array was installed on previously uncultivated land - a thoughtful approach that balances clean energy generation with ecological preservation. This responsible development model not only delivers significant CO₂ reduction, but also supports positive biodiversity outcomes.
(All calculations are based on estimates as at the time of design.)
Why RenEnergy?
RenEnergy isn’t just another solar installer. We’re a long-term energy partner. Our engineering-led approach sets us apart from short-term, price-first players.
We deliver:
Superior engineering that boosts long-term ROI
Strategic energy planning for agri-sector needs
Proven, problem-solving capability
Financial strength and staying power
Tailored partnerships designed for 20-25 years of performance
Three easy steps to future-proof your agri business
Book a consultation – We analyse your energy use, infrastructure and ambitions.
Receive a tailored proposal – Detailed modelling of performance, savings and ROI.
Deploy with confidence – From planning to maintenance, we handle every step.
“Today’s agri-businesses are under pressure from all sides. Our job is to deliver energy solutions that create stability, financially, operationally and environmentally. We’ve seen how poorly-engineered, lower-cost solutions fail in agri environments. Our clients choose RenEnergy for performance they can depend on, today and tomorrow.”
- Tom Lloyd
About Tom
Tom Lloyd brings over a decade of experience in delivering strategic energy solutions to the UK’s agricultural sector. As both Sales Director and Agri Segment Lead at RenEnergy UK, Tom partners with forward-thinking agri-businesses, from primary producers to large-scale processors, to design and implement tailored solar and storage solutions that support profitability, resilience and sustainability.
Tom’s approach is grounded in deep industry knowledge, data-driven strategy and a belief that energy is not just a cost to manage, it’s an asset to optimise.
