Agriculture
SPECIAL REPORT
M3 POWER ROOFS
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Photograph: Existing barn – 28.32kw M3 Power Roof at Pitthall Farm
Special report
M3 SOLAR
New build – 49.84kw M3 Power Roof at Rushbrooke Farm
South East Farmer
Integrated solar roof
pays for building project
as well as being ideal for new
buildings.”
“It w i l l cost mor e t h a n a
standard barn with solar panels
on top but with the improved
watertight roof. It weighs no
more than normal fibre cement
panels, which means it can be
used to replace an old or damaged roof on a farm building
Roof vents can be accommodated
Photo: Mecosun
It may seem too good to be true,
but farmers who need a new
building can now choose one
that pays for itself.
By opting for an integrated
solar PV (photo-voltaic) roof
that will generate a significant
return from the governmentbacked Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs),
the business can benefit from
free electricity, a good return on
the cash invested and a boost
to its green credentials – not
to mention the new building
itself.
“In essence the building pays
for itself,” said M3 Solar’s Steve
Whitehouse. “While installing
solar panels on an existing roof
is a sensible way of generating
revenue, using the panels as
the roof is even better.
“At M3 Solar we use an innovative aluminium structure that
houses the solar panels as well
as providing a durable, robust
2
efficiencies making up the difference in cost a nd keeping
warranties with one company,
for farmers who need a new
building it is a logical choice.”
Although changes to the FiTs
have made solar PV installations slightly less of a cash cow,
the falling price of components
means they still represent a
ver y good retu r n on investment.
“Even after the expected drop
in July, we estimate that farmers
who use all the power they generate will be getting a return of
ten per cent per annum, as well
as giving themselves valuable
energy security,” said Steve.
“That’s partly because prices
have fallen but it’s also because
of M3 Solar’s buying power.”
The integrated roof option
is also more efficient than a
standard on-roof solar PV array
and can incorporate insulation,
a condensat ion ba r r ier a nd
other innovative features that
can make it a particularly flexible way to maximise the benefits of installing solar PV.
Wh i le t he s uppor t of big
growers such as F W Mansfield
and Son has helped establish
solar as a mainstream energy
source and allow farmers to
c hoose it w it h con f idence,
decid i ng wh ich supplier to
work with has perhaps not been
such a straightforward choice.
Wit h compa nies springing
up v i r t u a l ly o v e r n i g h t t o
take advantage of the rapidly
expanding solar market – and
m a ny d i sappea r i ng ju st a s
www.southeastfarmer.net
surveyors and property consultants and with a good reputation for providing advice on
sustainability, has worked with
M3 Solar to offer solar PV solutions to agricultural clients.
“These integrated systems are
generally more efficient than
on-roof systems, which don’t
perform at their optimum level
on hot days because of the heat
that builds up between the roof
quickly when the FiTs fell choosing a reliable, well-established supplier has become
more important than ever.
Farmers who like an objective
second opinion when making
such a decision need look no
further than Folkestone-based
M3 Solar.
Sm it h s G or e, t he wel lrespec ted, long- establ ished
national firm of rural chartered
Inverters at Rushbrooke Farm
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and the panels.
“Resea rch has show n t hat
because they have cooler air
circulating underneath them,
integrated panel roofs tend to
provide a return that is around
11% h ig her t ha n pa nels on
the top of an existing roof,”
explained M3 Solar’s UK sales
manager Shaun Beattie.
When Bilt i ng Mush rooms,
nea r Ashford, needed to
replace a fibre cement roof on
an existing concrete barn, M3
made half of the new roof out
of solar PV panels, providing
the business with cheap, lowcarbon power from the 50kw
integrated system while renovating the building at the same
time.
“The panels simply fit within
the steel frame that forms the
roof,” explained Shaun. “This
kind of integrated st ructure
Continued on page 4
South East Farmer
Special report
M3 SOLAR
Continued from page 3
Rushbrooke Farm
costs slightly more than a traditional solar panel installation
but the improved performance
of the M3 Power Roof covers
the extra cost.”
At Ru shbr ooke Fa r m,
Pluckley, G J Gwillim and Son
a re benef it i ng f rom suc h a
project which includes a 50kw
integrated solar PV system that
makes up the monopitch roof
on their new 26m by 16m Shufflebottom farm building.
“We have also installed new
solar panel roofing for Kingsclere Estates,” said Shau n.
“Both clients were impressed
wit h t he ext ra efficiency as
well as with the reduced costs
associated with saving duplication.
“With roofing sheet costing
£15 per square metre, the 350
sq m needed for a sta nda rd
50kw system would in itself
cost several thousand pounds.
If the solar panels that would
The new conditions around solar instalotherwise go on top of the roof are instead
lations having to meet an Energy Performused to create it, that money is all saved.
The other good news is that anything ance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or above
under 465 sq m – more than big enough for to qualify for FiT payments are also less of
a 50kw system – falls within the permitted an issue if the building is being designed
development rights as far as the planners from scratch with an integrated roof.
“M3 Solar can manage the construction of
are concerned, which means planning perthe building as well as installing the solar
mission is not generally needed.
panel roof, so farmers who are trying to
decide whether to invest in a new building
or solar energy might find that they can do
both – and generate a significant return on
their investment,” said Shaun.
As Smiths Gore’s Michael Wooldridge
explained: “The M3 Solar Power Roof is a
great way to provide the sector with a new
kind of agricultural building that not only
pays for itself through the governmentbacked Feed-in Ta riffs (FiTs) but also
allows clients to show that they are serious
about reducing their carbon footprint.
“The M3 Sola r Power Roof will meet
their building needs and, in some cases,
utilise other features of the building to
reduce costs and have a positive impact
on the environment.”
A s a n e x a mple, St e ve W h it e hou s e
pointed out that a grain store with a solar
PV roof would act as a heat t rap. “We
can use a pump to send that warm air
back down to the bottom of the building
and then recirculate it through the dryer
system to reduce the cost of drying the
crop,” he explained.
“Fa r mer s c u r r ent ly blow w a r m a i r
through their grain to dry it – so why not
make better use of the warm air that is
already in the grain store?”
The manufacturers of the integrated roof
st ructure use a simila r system to heat
their own building, recovering excess heat
from the top of the building and pumping
it back in at ground level. “This is something that is only possible with an integrated system,” Steve pointed out.
Although M3 Solar sees a bright future
for integrated roofs, the company is still
committed to on-roof systems and can
offer a high quality, cost-effective solution
that will maximise the long-term returns
of solar while providing free electricity
and reducing carbon emissions.
Solar technology is a good investment
and will boost your ‘green’ credentials
Existing barn – 28.32kw M3
Power Roof at Pitthall Farm
While Feed-in Tariffs have dropped and
are likely to fall again, solar PV systems
still make good financial sense over the
longer-term.
As M3 Solar’s Steve Whitehouse pointed
out: “We have figures that show that even
after an expected drop in July, solar will
still generate a return of 10 per cent per
annum, partly because component costs
have fallen and partly because of our
buying power.”
The FiT for a 50kw system is expected to
drop 20% from the end of June, with larger
250kw arrays earning 40% less.
“Farmers who want to make the most of
the higher tariffs need to move swiftly, but
solar remains a sensible investment, not
least because it provides energy security
and a fair amount of energy independence,” said Steve.
“Businesses that are high energy users
– such as top fruit growers who also store
and pack fruit – will benefit the most by
using as much of the electricity as they
can, which is more advantageous than
selling excess energy to the national grid.
“Move quickly if you can, but don’t
panic. Solar PV is here to stay and remains
an investment that will continue to deliver
benefits in terms of return on investment,
energy independence and a boost to client’s ‘green’ credentials.”
Underneath a new build – 49.84kw integrated array at Rushbrooke Farm
South East Farmer
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www.southeastfarmer.net
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South East Farmer
Special report
M3 SOLAR
Many farmers and growers
The Rural Regeneration Centre at Hadlow College
choose the ‘green’ route because
their own conscience inspires
them to make environmentallyfriendly decisions.
For others, the pressure to
reduce their carbon footprint
and improve their sustainability
is led by buyers a nd supermarkets that are increasingly
demanding that their suppliers
feature appropriately ‘green’
credentials.
Wh atever t he r ea son, t he
indust ry is ta k ing note a nd
going greener, helped by events
such as the HSBC-sponsored
Sustainability Forum hosted by
Hadlow College and supported
by solar PV market-leaders M3
Solar.
The event brought together top
fruit growers Blackmoor Estates
and Charrington Fruit Farms as
well as agricultural consultants BTF and be difficult to quantify, it is very simple to
chartered surveyors and planning consult- calculate the amount of carbon that is saved
ants Lambert & Foster.
by switching to solar power.
With much of the event focusing on how
“Every unit (kwh) of electricity generated
suppliers could meet the demands from the by solar power saves almost 0.5kg of carbon,
national retailers for a more environmen- which means that over its lifetime a 50kw
tally-friendly approach to food production, system would reduce the amount of CO2
M3 Solar’s Steve Whitehouse was on hand to being pumped into the atmosphere by half
point out the huge saving in carbon that can a million kilogrammes.”
be achieved by using electricity from the
The event was held in Hadlow College’s
sun rather than from traditional methods of Rural Regeneration Centre, itself a showcase
power generation.
for low carbon and renewable technology.
He was quick to point out that while there
The building was one of the first educaare other ways of reducing energy use – tional establishments in the UK to achieve
picking fruit earlier in the day to reduce the PassivHaus certification – the German
energy needed to bring it down to storage system that has become the world’s industry
temperature, for instance – going solar was standard for sustainable buildings.
the easiest to quantify.
“The Rural Regeneration Cent re uses
“Solar panels are a quantifiable and very just 10% of the typical energy uses of an
visible way of reducing CO2 emissions and equivalent modern building, as shown by
highlighting the kind of commitment to the energy monitoring display,” explained
sustainability that big retailers like Marks Steve. “It reflects the M3 Solar philosophy
& Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsburys and Tesco on renewable technologies and was an
inspirational place for such an important
are so keen on these days,” he explained.
“While some carbon control measures can event.
Energy independence for farmers
Farmers do not have to rely on
power generation companies
New build – 29.40kw on
roof array at Pitthall Farm
South East Farmer
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“The centre also features technologies
such as a ground source heat pump and
other innovations that we will be offering
to clients through our new research and
development department.”
Under t h is new approach, M3 Sola r
will be helping farmers and landowners
understand the opportunities provided by
renewables such as solar and wind power
and heat pump technology and advising
them on the best options for their individual situation. M3 Solar will then use its
expertise to install the chosen technology.
“At M3 Solar we have a long-term vision
that is based not just on solar but on providing new solutions to harnessing renewable energy of all kinds,” said Steve. “We
commissioned our first system in August
2011 and have since gone on to become
one of the biggest solar PV installers in the
country.
“Now we a re concent rat ing on
researching other areas we can provide a
complete solution, whether that is through
wind power, heat pump technology or
biomass fuel. The aim will be
to provide the right solution
to each individual farmer or
landowner’s needs.”
“We see ourselves as not a
sola r power installer but as
a company that wants to put
control of energy supply into
the hands of the consumer by
prov id i ng a whole ra nge of
energy-efficient measures and
technology solutions.
“We wa nt to help fa r mers,
g rowers a nd ot her com mercial users take control of their
ene r g y ne e d s so t h at t hey
no longer have to rely on the
power generation companies
that are continuing to charge
more and more for electricity.”
M3 Solar was set up a year ago by sister system in the shape of discounted energy electricity at a reduced price,” said Adrian.
company M3 Solutions, which saw solar without having to come up with the cash “The system is as flexible as we can make
as an opportunity to build on its years of on day one. Meanwhile the solar installa- it.”
The Solar Grid innovation is part of a
experience managing property and refur- tion improves the farmer or grower’s green
bishments for clients in the commercial credentials from day one, even if he isn’t broader M3 Solutions concept called My
Grid through which the company aims to
paying for it until some time later.”
market.
With many of the big supermarket chains give customers a range of renewable techM3 Solar managing director Adrian Williams pointed out: “One of the most impor- leaning on growers and farmers to prove nologies that will allow them to take contant aspects for our solar customers is the t heir green credentials, many fa rmers trol of their energy consumption.
“Many of our clients are substantial users
fact that we have an excellent track record could find this a useful way of jumping
in the mechanical and electrical aspects of t h rough t hat pa r ticula r hoop wit hout of power, and in spite of the many energy
paying up front and while benefiting from efficiency measures they take, the reality is
building maintenance.
“M3 Solutions has been involved in office, a 25% cut in their energy bill, Adrian that they will always need to take substantial amounts of power from the National
retail and leisure refurbishments for nine explained.
In some cases solar customers will be Grid,” said Adrian.
years, serving a number of high profile, blue
“My Grid will enable many of them to
chip companies. The experience and exper- able to choose to enjoy discounted energy
tise we gained from delivering sustainable, without ever buying the system. “If that’s d raw a substa nt ial propor t ion of t his
green technologies to this sector has ena- what they want to do then we will keep the energy from renewable resources and mitibled us to forge ahead with solar PV and FiT payments for the 25-year guaranteed gate their reliance on grid-derived power
term and continue to supply them with and associated rising energy prices.”
give customers the same high standards.”
The company can offer a turnkey solution
and can now include solar PV as part of the
mix. Farm office buildings, for instance,
can now not only incorporate a solar integrated roof but can be fully-fitted before
handover.
The company’s Solar Grid funding solution meanwhile offers farmers and businesses an innovative way of funding solar
power that allows them to lock themselves
in to the current level of return without
paying for the system up front.
Pitthall Farm
“This is not a ‘free solar’ deal but a way of
benefitting from the technology
now while deferring payment
for t he system for 12 or 24
months,” explained Adrian.
“We know that many farmers
As an increasingly prominent supplier of installed by the company.
pl a n t hei r e x p end it u r e 18
Announcing the prize at the fruit show’s annual
renewable energy solutions to growers across
months ahead and simply can’t
the South East, M3 Solar is to sponsor this general meeting in March, Shaun told more than
lay their hands on the kind of
year’s Bonanza Prize at the National Fruit Show 80 members and industry representatives that
capital that a large-scale solar
organised by the Marden Fruit Show Society in the reduced Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) meant growers
installation needs at the drop
who used the most electricity would see the best
October.
of a hat.
The winner of the 2012 prize will be able to return over time because they would need to buy
“Under this arrangement we
choose from a domestic 4kw system, which nor- less power from the national grid.
will install solar panels and fix
Marden Fruit Show Society chair Sarah Calmally retails at £10,000, or an alternative prize
a buy-back price that will apply
of £10,000 towards the cost of a commercially- cutt said she was “delighted” with the prize,
after either one or two years
which she said was worth an estimated £40,000
scaled 50kw system.
and will ref lect t he cur rent
The Bonanza Prize is drawn at the show over a 25-year period. “I believe this is by far the
price, with no premium built in
dinner, with growers being given one entry into highest value Bonanza Prize we have ever had,”
for the delayed payment.
the draw for every three show entries that gain she added.
“As soon as t he scheme is
M3 Solar will also be exhibiting at the show as
at least 85 points in classes 1 to 19.
commissioned, we guarantee
Shaun Beattie, M3 Solar’s UK sales manager, well as giving presentations to growers, who trat he fa r mer or g rower a dissaid the company was excited to be supporting ditionally have large buildings and equipment
count, usually around 25%, on
for storing and packing fruit and generally use
such an important event.
all the energy he uses, which
“The National Fruit Show is the showpiece for large amounts of power.
means he sees an immediate
Shaun explained: “We have installed in excess
the UK’s fruit industry so it makes perfect sense
benefit f rom the technology.
for M3 Solar to be involved. We have forged of 2.0 MW of solar panels nationwide, all of which
After the agreed term he pays
great business relationships with several of the is reducing the cost of electricity and providing
for the scheme at the agreed
UK’s largest growers and supplied them with increasing energy independence for the owners.
price and enjoys the full benefit
“Electricity costs are almost certain to increase
solar PV arrays.”
of the system, including the FiT
M3 Solar has installed 50kw arrays at JL over time and with the FiTs falling, it is growers
payments.
Baxter & Son and at F Edmed and Sons in Maid- who use large amounts of energy who will ben“It means the farmer enjoys
stone, while F W Mansfield and Sons in Canter- efit most by being able to generate their own
an immediate benefit from the
bury has 150kw worth of solar panels that were electricity.”
M3 Solar is Bonanza prize sponsor
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South East Farmer
Specialists in Solar PV
A NEW GENERATION OF
AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
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Do you need to re-roof?
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Email: [email protected]