Laying the Groundwork for Success: Solar Array & Battery Installation in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire offers the perfect location for the installation of solar panels, with farmland and agricultural land posing a unique opportunity. Their high baseline of electricity use, coupled with plenty of land and roof space, can be a match made in heaven, though that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its challenges.

At Lincs Renewables, we take pride in delivering bespoke solar battery installation and panel storage systems that support the community in achieving energy independence. This project, completed for a homeowner in Hibaldstow, in Lincolnshire, showcases our commitment to utilising space for maximum energy output, while retaining the character and charm of a local farmhouse. A carefully designed system such as this can help reduce energy costs, increase energy independence, while staying in keeping with the appearance of the property.

The Client’s Operational Goals

This domestic solar panel project in Hibaldstow, in Lincolnshire, was commissioned by a homeowner looking to achieve energy independence for a rural property, while keeping the main house completely free of solar panels, retaining the aesthetic and appearance of the main property. The clients’ goals included:

High Energy Generation: Create a substantial solar array capable of supporting the property’s daytime electricity requirements.

Energy Storage: Capture excess solar generation for use during the evening, overnight and at times when electricity prices may be higher.

Discreet Positioning: Keep the main house free from solar panels and position the array away from the property’s primary lines of sight.

Reliable Rural Installation: Install a robust mounting structure capable of withstanding exposed, open-field conditions.

Project Management: Use one experienced contractor to manage the solar installation, battery storage, trenching, cabling and associated groundworks.

The Challenges: Complete Groundworks and Cable Installation

When opting for a ground-mounted over roof-mounted solar system, rather than a roof-mounted solar system, there are several important considerations, the most important of which is how to safely connect the solar array to the property. For many ground-mounted solar installations, the setup may be located a considerable distance away from the main consumer unit, in this case, the property.

To make it work, this style of set-up requires carefully planned cable routes, compliant trenching and suitable containment to protect any electrical equipment, especially the connections. For the Hibaldstow installation included:

• Excavating the required cable trench
• Installing suitable cable containment
• Running the necessary power and data connections
• Connecting the solar array to the inverter and battery system
• Backfilling and completing the groundworks
• Testing and commissioning the finished system

Lincs Renewables’ Tailored Solution

Following an initial consultation and detailed assessment of the property by our expert solar panel installers, we designed a 10.2kWp ground-mounted solar PV system at the rear of an open paddock.

The location was selected to provide strong daily sun exposure while keeping the installation discreetly positioned away from the main house, maintaining the look and feel of the rural location.

The system consists of 20 all-black Aiko Neostar solar panels, arranged in two rows of ten panels in portrait orientation. These are connected to an 8kW SolaX IES hybrid inverter and three modular SolaX batteries, providing a total storage capacity of 15.3kWh.

A ground-mounted system allowed the panels to be positioned independently of the orientation and structural limitations of the property’s roof.

The panels were installed in two rows of ten using a Solarport mounting structure. The angle of the array was selected to support strong year-round generation, while the low-profile design helps reduce the visual impact of the installation.

Ground screws were used to anchor the mounting system securely. This provided a robust foundation without requiring the extensive concrete bases associated with some traditional ground-mounted arrays.

High-Performance Hybrid Inverter and Battery Storage

To manage the electricity generated by the 10.2kWp solar array, we installed an 8kW SolaX IES hybrid inverter.

The hybrid inverter manages the flow of electricity between the solar panels, battery storage system, property and grid. During periods of strong solar generation, electricity can be used directly within the property while excess power is used to charge the batteries.

The installation includes three modular 5.1kWh SolaX batteries, providing a total usable storage capacity of 15.3kWh.

Stored solar electricity can then be used during the evening, overnight or at other times when the panels are not generating enough electricity to meet high demand during certain times of the day, week or year. This helped our customers to achieve energy independence, reducing the amount of electricity the customer needs to purchase from the grid.

Key Technical Specifications

Component	Equipment Specification	Detail
Solar Array Capacity	10.1kWp Peak Output	20x 510W Aiko Neostar (All-Black)
Mounting Hardware	Solarport System	2 Rows of 10 (Portrait Orientation)
Inverter System	8kW SolaX IES Hybrid Inverter	High-efficiency smart power management
Battery Storage	15.3kWh Total Capacity	3x 5.1kWh SolaX modular battery units
Groundworks	Full Turnkey Delivery	100% inclusive trenching, containment, and backfill

The Installation Journey: All-in-One Solutions

With Lincs Renewables, we can make complicated solar installations simple for our customers. Forget attempting to coordinate plant operators, trenching contractors, electricians, and solar installers; we manage the whole process, with one coordinated installation.

This approach helps to:

• Reduce the risk of scheduling delays
• Keep responsibility for the project under one roof
• Maintain consistent installation standards
• Simplify communication for the customer
• Deliver a neat and professionally finished system

Real-World Impact and Operational Benefits

The completed system has transformed how the Hibaldstow property generates and manages electricity.

By choosing a ground-mounted array, the customer was able to install a substantial solar PV system without altering the appearance of the main house. The panels could also be positioned at an appropriate orientation and angle rather than being restricted by the existing roofline.

The 15.3kWh battery system allows excess daytime generation to be stored for use later, helping the property make greater use of its own renewable electricity.

This project excellently showcases how underused land can be transformed into a productive source of renewable energy for a farmhouse, smallholding or rural business. Our journey with the Hibaldstow property doesn’t end here, we’ll be on hand to offer solar panel maintenance and servicing to ensure the set-up continues to perform it’s best.

Thinking About Solar for Your Farm or Rural Property?

Ground-mounted solar panels can provide an effective way to make productive use of underutilised land, particularly where a property’s roofs are unsuitable due to their orientation, condition, available space or appearance.

For more information, call us on 01472 511487, email info@lincsrenewables.co.uk, or contact us online for a free quote.