In a bid to offset the cost of running a grain dryer to keep its crops in ideal condition a Nottinghamshire-based farmer has installed a 50kW solar system.
Located in Edwinstowe, J Bealby and Sons contracted CTS Solar, the renewables division of Commercial Technical Services Ltd, to design and install a 50kWp system atop the grain store.
Although the system was completed post large-scale feed-in tariff cuts the installation was still financially viable considering rising electricity costs and falling component prices.
Paul West, Solar Projects Manager at CTS Solar, said: “With the significant drops in stock prices over the last few months combined with the new planning guidelines, we have seen a significant growth in interest from the farming sector. The lower capital costs for a 50kWp system have made solar PV a more attainable proposition.”
J Bealby and Sons will now generate approximately 44,000kWh on solar energy each year, saving almost 26 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Using the feed-in tariff payments and reduction in energy costs, the system is expected to pay for itself in just five years.
