Powering Sustainable Agriculture at Upper Farm, Calne

Upper Farm located in Calne is a working agricultural business with consistently high energy demands to support day-to-day operations. The farm was poised for expansion with a new cattle barn in the process of being built. With limited site grid capacity, a high energy consumption set to increase and with energy prices having risen, sustainability has become an increasingly important focus and the farm began exploring ways to future-proof its infrastructure. Long-term efficiency cost control and reducing environmental impact are now central to how the business operates.

The farm’s priorities were clear:

1. Reducing energy costs improving energy resilience lowering its carbon footprint and making strategic long-term investments that add value while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
2. Provide support to the existing electrical grid connection and site capacity while avoiding the high costs associated with increasing the grid electrical supply.

The Challenge

Upper Farm needed a solution that could meet both current operational demands and future growth. Rising energy costs and a heavy reliance on grid power were becoming increasingly challenging particularly during periods of peak demand. The farm required a system capable of supporting high energy usage improving resilience during peak periods and making effective use of the extensive roof areas available on the new barn building.

Our Solution

We worked closely with Upper Farm to design and install a 112 kW roof-mounted solar PV system on the east and west elevations of the new barn, transforming previously unused roof space into a productive energy asset. The system is paired with 138 kWh of battery storage delivered through two 69 kWh GivEnergy floor-standing battery units, offering grid-support and grid independence.

The installation also includes modern inverters and isolators enabling efficient energy conversion real-time monitoring and safe reliable operation. This fully integrated system is tailored to meet the high energy demands of a working farm while providing flexibility for future growth.

The Results

The benefits of the installation have been substantial. During summer months including September Upper Farm has been able to operate off-grid for up to 70% of the day powered by solar generation and battery storage.

This has significantly reduced reliance on grid electricity lowered energy costs improved energy resilience and materially reduced the farm’s carbon footprint. Battery storage allows surplus solar energy to be stored and used during periods of higher demand providing predictable energy availability.

Business Impact and Future Readiness

The system has been widely praised within the farm as a forward-thinking investment that enhances operational efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability objectives. By converting unused roof space into a long-term energy asset, the project has delivered predictable energy generation, increased independence from the grid and confidence that Upper Farm is well prepared for future energy challenges. Combined with battery storage, the system provides stability today and flexibility for the future.

The forecasted ROI is 4 years and 7 months, taking into account performance depreciation, maintenance costs, inflation and discount rates at the highest variables making this a worst-case scenario. Installing this system was a no brainer for our client.

Start generating your own power and secure long-term energy savings – contact us today: 01380 726656