Powering the Future of Farming: 40kWp Solar PV and Battery Storage on a New Machinery Shed

At Lincs Renewables, we take pride in delivering bespoke solar panel and battery storage systems that blend perfectly with your home’s aesthetics while delivering maximum energy savings. This project, completed for a homeowner in Caistor, Market Rasen, showcases our commitment to quality components, professional installation and maximising the return on investment for local residents.

The Client’s Operational Goals

 

The client, operating a large agricultural machinery business, constructed a state-of-the-art machinery shed designed not only for maintenance but also as a customer showroom.

When planning a new machinery shed, the client in the Market Rasen area was keen to ensure the building would be efficient, resilient, and economical to operate long term. As with many modern agricultural businesses, electricity demand was expected to be high and consistent, driven by workshop machinery, lighting, office equipment and extended working hours during peak seasons. With commercial electricity prices continuing to rise, the client wanted to take control of energy costs from the outset rather than reacting to them later.

Their key challenges and objectives were:

1. Reduce High Operational Costs: Mitigate the impact of rising commercial electricity tariffs associated with lighting, workshop tools, and office spaces.
2. Maximise Self-Sufficiency: Utilise the vast roof space to generate enough electricity to cover daytime working hours and showroom needs, minimising power drawn from the grid.
3. Ensure Energy Security: Implement battery storage to maximise the usage of generated power, future-proof the site, and potentially provide backup power for critical systems.
4. Protect the Investment: Ensure the solar array is secure and protected from common agricultural issues, such as bird nesting.

Lincs Renewables’ Tailored Solution

 

To meet the client’s high demand and operational profile, Lincs Renewables designed a high-output, balanced system built on quality, durability, and smart energy management:

Component	Specification	Benefit
Solar Array	80 x 500W High-Efficiency Trina Panels (40kWp)	Massive generation capacity to cover high daily operational loads.
Panel Layout	40 Panels East-Facing, 40 Panels West-Facing	Ensures balanced generation throughout the entire working day, optimising power output from sunrise to sunset.
Inverter	1 x 30kW Hybrid Inverter	High-capacity, reliable commercial-grade inverter capable of managing a large array and integrating seamless battery control.
Battery Storage	4 x 5.8kW Batteries (23.2 kWh Total)	Captures all excess solar energy generated during peak sunshine (when usage might be lower) for use later in the evening or during high-demand periods.
Bird Protection	Full Bird Brush Installation	Essential preventative measure installed around the entire array perimeter to maintain panel integrity and prevent damage or fire risk from nesting birds.

So, the final solar installation comprised of 80 high‑efficiency 500W solar panels, split evenly between east‑ and west‑facing roof elevations. This configuration was chosen to provide a balanced generation curve, delivering usable power from early morning through to late afternoon rather than a sharp midday peak. For agricultural and workshop environments, this approach ensures solar generation closely matches real‑world energy demand.

A 30kW hybrid inverter forms the heart of the system, intelligently managing solar generation, on‑site consumption, battery charging, and grid interaction. To further increase self‑consumption, 23.2kWh of battery storage was installed, allowing surplus energy generated during quieter periods to be stored and used later during busier operational windows or early starts.

Durability and reliability were key considerations given the agricultural setting. Full bird protection was installed around the perimeter of the array to prevent nesting and protect cabling, reducing long‑term maintenance risks. All wiring was installed using commercial‑grade cable tray and basket systems, ensuring mechanical protection, compliance and ease of future inspection.

The Installation Journey: Built for Commercial Durability

 

Our MCS Approved Contractors team executed the installation, focusing on robust commercial-grade practices: 

• System Integrity: All panel connections and wiring were meticulously installed and secured using dedicated cable tray and basket systems. This ensures maximum durability, easy future maintenance, and protection from potential damage typical in a workshop environment. 

• Safety and Compliance: The installation met all current commercial electrical and planning regulations. The strategic East/West alignment maximised the roof’s efficiency while ensuring structural integrity on the new shed. 

Real-World Impact and Operational Benefits 

The implementation of the 40kWp system has immediately delivered tangible benefits crucial for a large agricultural business:

• Significant Cost Reduction: The system now covers a substantial percentage of the machinery shed’s daytime electricity requirements, directly translating to massive savings on high commercial tariffs. 

• High Self-Consumption Rate: With the 23.2 kWh of Solax battery storage, the client captures excess energy, utilising it fully on-site rather than exporting it for minimal return. This ensures power is available for late-day workshop use or early morning starts. 

• Reliability and Durability: The combination of quality components and professional cable management (tray/basket) provides an extremely reliable, low-maintenance power source designed to last for decades. 

• Environmental Credentials: The client now demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, which is increasingly important for supply chain tenders and public perception in the agricultural sector. 

This project demonstrates how thoughtful system design and quality installation can transform an agricultural building into a productive, revenue‑saving asset while supporting the sustainability goals of modern farming operations. 

 

Considering Solar for Your Farm or Business?

 

If you operate a farm, grain store, or commercial facility in Lincolnshire or Yorkshire and are looking to reduce your energy overheads, a large-scale solar and battery installation is the most reliable way to achieve energy independence.

At Lincs Renewables, we provide expert, no-pressure consultations and design systems specifically tailored to commercial energy profiles – and we supply local solar panel installations across the region.

Talk to a local expert at Lincs Renewables and get a free, no-obligation quote.