Published
November 20, 2025
What is Scope 1, 2 and 3, and how can solar support your farm goals?
Solar energy is becoming a practical way for farmers to meet Scope 1 and 2 targets, while freeing up savings to fund wider sustainability and diversification on farm.
Across UK agriculture, the pressure to demonstrate progress on sustainability has never been greater. Retailers and processors are asking suppliers to measure and manage their carbon emissions under Scope 1, 2 and 3 targets.
For many farm businesses, this can seem like additional pressure on top of their everyday challenges. But understanding these targets can help to drive positive change on farm and throughout the supply chain.
- Scope 1 covers the emissions that come directly from a farm’s operations – for example, fuel used in tractors or heating sheds.
- Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from purchased energy, such as the electricity used to run ventilation, lighting and refrigeration.
- Scope 3 refers to the wider supply chain, including everything from purchased feed to transport, packaging and customer use.
While Scope 3 is harder to control, reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions is achievable, and can deliver real financial benefits. That’s where solar power comes in.
Reducing emissions with solar energy
Installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system allows farms to generate renewable electricity on site. Every kilowatt-hour produced from solar reduces the amount of energy bought from the grid, which in turn cuts Scope 2 emissions.
For poultry units, dairy farms and arable businesses, solar power can run lighting, fans, pumps, chillers and control systems. It’s a simple, reliable way to lower emissions without changing how the farm operates.
Solar generation can also help reduce Scope 1 emissions indirectly, by reducing the need for fossil-fuel-powered equipment such as diesel generators.
In our experience, solar installations often cut a farm’s grid electricity demand (and associated emissions) by up to 30–50%, depending on the energy profile, delivering savings and greater energy independence.
Cost savings that support wider sustainability goals
Energy savings from solar can be substantial. With grid prices still high and volatile, a well-designed and maintained system typically pays for itself within three to four years, then continues producing free power for decades.
The savings made on energy bills can then support wider Scope 3 activities, such as:
- Tree or hedgerow planting to improve biodiversity and carbon capture
- Moving towards regenerative or low-input farming systems
- Investing in electric vehicles or low-carbon machinery
- Supporting diversification projects such as farm shops, holiday lets or caravan sites
Solar doesn’t just help reduce direct emissions – it can help fund wider improvements and revenue generators across the business.
“…“We know that many farmers are under pressure to demonstrate carbon progress, but they also need solutions that make financial sense. That’s where solar works so well. Our team looks at each farm’s energy use and designs a system that fits – cutting electricity costs and helping to meet Scope 1 and 2 goals in a way that’s measurable and achievable.”…”
Meeting customer and supply chain expectations
Most major food processors and retailers now include sustainability and carbon performance in their supplier assessments. Farmers who can demonstrate progress on Scope 1 and 2 emissions are in a stronger position for future contracts.
Having a solar PV system provides clear, measurable data for sustainability reporting, showing that your business is actively reducing emissions.
Real results from farms across the UK
At Noble Green Energy, we’ve been helping farmers make the move to solar for over a decade. As part of the Noble Foods Group, one of the UK’s largest egg producers, we understand the specific energy and sustainability challenges faced by farms.
Our systems are designed around each farm’s energy profile to maximise efficiency and self-consumption. The result is a smooth transition to self-generation, with measurable savings from day one.
Keeping your solar system performing at its best
To ensure long-term performance, Noble Green Energy offers operation and maintenance (O&M) packages tailored to your system and budget. Regular monitoring, system optimisation and responsive maintenance help to maximise energy generation, and the ongoing carbon savings that come with it.
For farmers, that means peace of mind: knowing that the system continues to generate savings and support sustainability goals well into the future.
Powering a lower-carbon future for UK farming
UK agriculture has always adapted to new challenges, and the shift towards low-carbon farming is no exception. Solar power offers a proven, practical way to lower emissions, reduce costs and strengthen the long-term sustainability of your business.
By generating renewable electricity on site, farmers can meet Scope 1 and 2 targets, improve efficiency and reinvest the savings into wider environmental or diversification projects. At Noble Green Energy, we’re proud to be supporting UK farmers and helping to future-proof sustainable agriculture.
Start a conversation
Explore how solar PV could help your farm meet its sustainability goals – contact our team for a no-obligation energy assessment: Contact us
