A Landowner’s Guide to Solar Farms

Land diversification can be a powerful asset for your business, farm or estate. Economic and environmental resilience are just a couple of benefits, whereby you can future-proof your land and operations to ensure a consistent income stream.

Through private-wire solar (often referred to as direct-wire solar), you could power your own facilities or supply renewable energy to neighbouring commercial buildings or public-sector sites.

If you’re a landowner, estate manager or tenant farmer with underutilised acres, now is an ideal time to explore solar farm opportunities and ground-mount solar installations.

What is Direct-Wire Solar or Private-Wire Solar?

Private-wire (or direct-wire) solar refers to solar energy generated on one site, such as a field, open land or even a rooftop, and delivered directly to a nearby end-user via private cable infrastructure, bypassing the National Grid.

Noble Green Energy delivers private-wire systems for UK businesses, helping landowners secure long-term agreements with energy-intensive end users and maximise the financial potential of their land.

Land Suitability Considerations

Thinking of diversifying your land using solar energy generation? Here are some things you should consider.

What Size of Land is Suitable for a Small Solar Installation?

If you’re thinking about whether your land could be suitable for a solar farm, you don’t have to start big. A 3–5 acre plot can typically accommodate a 1-2 MW ground-mount solar array, depending on layout and topography.

If your land has limited grid connection options, a private-wire arrangement may offer a route to market without the need for expensive grid upgrades.

How Important is Location for Direct or Private-Wire Solar?

Location is very important as direct or private-wire solar works best when your land is within a short distance of facilities that can benefit from the power your system generates.

Land on the outskirts of towns, close to industrial estates, logistics hubs, food production sites, cold stores or public-sector facilities, is often ideally suited. Solar farms should typically be a few hundred metres away from commercial or industrial sites so, if your land is remote, a private-wire solution may not be viable due to the distance and cost of cable runs.

If you’re unsure, Noble Green Energy can complete an initial assessment to determine suitability.

Securing a Grid Connection for Exported Energy

For remote landowners, either yourself or your developers will have to apply for a grid connection in order to export surplus electricity. However, it’s important to note that a grid reform is currently underway due to the vast amount of grid applications to the National Grid. Make sure to apply as soon as possible to ensure the viability of your project.

Do I Need Planning Permission for a Solar Farm?

The size and placement of your ground-mount solar system will be assessed, typically looking at land grading, visual impact, ecological value and community benefit. The good news is that unproductive or unused land is generally viewed favourably by planners.

Even with solar installed, your land can remain usable for grazing (solar grazing or agrivoltaics), wildflower meadows or biodiversity initiatives, supporting both environmental and operations goals. Plus, solar farms are considered low-impact and fully reversible, which can also support favourable planning outcomes.

Noble Green Energy works with specialist planning consultants to guide you through surveys, layout design, visual impact assessments and biodiversity enhancements, helping to create a strong, compliant planning application.

Finance Considerations

Once you’ve assessed your land, it’s time to consider the finance options for solar on your land. Installing solar on your land or roof-space doesn’t have to come with a financial burden.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement?

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract where a business agrees to buy the electricity generated by a solar PV system, usually installed on their roof or land, at a fixed, pre-agreed price.

For UK businesses and farms, it’s one of the most cost-effective, low-risk ways to adopt solar without any upfront capital. This is because a funding partner pays for the solar installation, and the energy user typically buys the clean electricity at a lower price than the grid rate (circa 50%). This means they benefit from immediate savings, reduced carbon emissions and improved ESG performance, all without owning or maintaining the system.

PPAs typically run for 7-25 years, offering predictable pricing and long-term protection against energy market volatility. At the end of the contract, the system can be extended, purchased outright at a reduced cost, or fully removed, returning the land to its previous use.

Noble Green Energy oversees system design, engineering and installation, while our trusted funding partners structure the PPA and manage operation of the system throughout the contract.

Benefits of Solar Farms for Landowners

Once you’ve looked into the land and financial considerations of land diversification, it’s time to decide whether going solar is right for you. Here are some solar farm benefits you could see as a landowner.

Solar Increases Land Value

Rising energy prices and national decarbonisation targets are driving demand for local, low-cost renewable energy. Businesses are looking for ways to secure green power directly, making well-positioned land more valuable than ever.

As more UK businesses look to secure affordable, low-carbon power close to where they operate, land that can host onsite or private-wire solar has become increasingly attractive as a reliable source of local renewable energy.

For landowners, this rising demand means previously underutilised or lower-grade land can now deliver stronger long-term value, offering predictable rental income and a future-proof diversification strategy.

Longevity of Solar Panels & ROI

By leasing your land to host a solar installation, you create a new revenue stream and benefit from long-term, predictable rental income. Agreements typically run for 25+ years, providing inflation-resilient income and long-term security.

Solar PV is a proven technology with a lifespan of 30-40 years, providing stability and low operational impact. You will also be supporting local businesses with decarbonisation and helping to improve energy resilience in your region.

Diversify Your Land With Noble Green Energy

With over a decade of experience in commercial and agricultural renewables, Noble Green Energy helps landowners turn unused land into a reliable, long-term income stream.

We combine technical expertise, specialist engineering and trusted partnerships to provide a complete, end-to-end service – from feasibility and planning to installation and long-term performance monitoring.

We partner closely with Bluestone Energy and dedicated energy and planning consultants to ensure your project is financially viable, technically robust and ready to progress smoothly through the planning process.

If you own land near commercial or industrial sites, there could be a solar opportunity waiting. Contact us today for a free feasibility assessment.

Disclaimer: Finance details we may provide is for your information only and intended for businesses, it is not advice or recommendation to engage with a finance provider. We make no representations or warranties as to status or suitability of any finance provider, the products or services, or information provided, any reliance you chose to place on the information is done so at your own risk (and we will not be liable for any losses or damages in relation to the same). Noble Green Energy is not FCA authorised and regulated under the UK’s Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 as it is not a lender, nor does it carry on regulated activities related to credit broking.