Rural Solar.

If you are looking for solar for a rural need then there are only going to be a few reasons why that is.

Equestrian. See this post.

You want to be off grid or have a back up of power

You need power to a yard, buildings or for a site caravan.

Rural Power Cuts in the UK

Power cuts are an occasional but impactful occurrence in rural areas across the United Kingdom. Let’s delve into two key aspects:

1. Frequency of Power Cuts:
   • On average, there are approximately 21 power outages experienced annually within UK households¹. These disruptions can vary in duration and severity.
   • Factors such as extreme weather events, equipment failures, and maintenance work contribute to these interruptions.
     
2. Duration Before Restoration:
   • In some cases, rural villages and farms may experience prolonged periods without electricity. For instance:
     • Storm Arwen in December 2021 left parts of north-east Scotland without power for up to seven days². Energy company SSEN worked tirelessly to reconnect approximately 4,100 properties in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus, and Moray.
     • Similarly, other regions faced challenges. In the south of Scotland, Scottish Power Energy Networks estimated that around 1,000 properties in the Borders endured extended power cuts.
     • Rural communities in Aberdeenshire and Perthshire had their supplies restored, but pockets of customers still faced issues².
     • Despite the difficulties, dedicated engineers persistently work to restore power, ensuring that remote locations regain access to essential services².

In summary, while rural power cuts remain a reality, but you could deal with this with a back up power solution, be that solar or a genset, this would be attached via a ATS so you do not really notice.

Solar Backup Power:

1. Pros:
   • Backup Power: Solar battery storage systems allow you to have backup power during grid outages. You can rely on stored solar energy to keep critical appliances running.
   • Increased Self-Reliance: By using excess solar energy stored in batteries, you reduce dependence on the grid. This self-reliance can lower your electricity bills and provide energy during low solar production times (e.g., evenings).
   • Reduced Carbon Footprint: Solar power is clean and renewable, contributing to a greener environment by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
   • Smart Grid Contribution: Solar batteries play a role in developing smart grids, enabling efficient energy exchange between utilities and consumers. This can be a source of income.
2. Cons:
   • Upfront Cost: Solar batteries can require significant initial investment, including installation costs depending on the demand they need to meet.
   • Limited Storage Capacity: While they provide energy independence, their storage capacity is finite, which may not cover extended outages in winter, but they can be charged from solar..

Generator Backup Power:

1. Pros:
   • Reliability During Outages: Generators offer continuous power supply during outages, whether short-term due to storms or extended periods from natural disasters.
   • Increased Home Value: A high-quality standby generator can enhance your home’s value, especially in outage-prone areas.
   • Safety and Comfort: Critical systems like heating, cooling, and refrigeration remain operational.
   • Business Continuity: Essential for home-based businesses to avoid financial losses during power disruptions.
2. Cons:
   • Initial Cost: Installing standby generators can be expensive, ranging from £2,000 to £15,000. Portable generators are cheaper but still require an initial outlay.
   • Maintenance: Generators need regular upkeep, including oil changes and inspections.
   • Fuel Requirements: Availability and cost of fuel (petrol, diesel, propane, or natural gas) can be a concern during extended outages, including those that need power to be pumped!
   • Noise and Pollution: Generators can be noisy and contribute to noise pollution.

In summary, solar backup power offers sustainability and reduced environmental impact, while generators provide reliable backup but come with maintenance and fuel-related challenges. while solar also can be used the charge the batteries, there is a level of dependence between the options for energy security.

Off-Grid Solar Systems in Rural Settings.

Off-grid solar systems are designed for locations where direct connection to the utility grid is not feasible or economical. Here are the key points:

1. Definition:
   • Off-grid solar systems operate independently from the utility grid. They rely solely on solar panels to generate electricity, which is stored in batteries for continuous supply.
   • These systems are ideal for rural areas where extending power lines would be costly or impractical or are subjected to outages.
     
2. Advantages:
   • Energy Independence: Off-grid systems provide complete energy autonomy. Residents are not reliant on external power sources, reducing vulnerability to grid failures or outages.
     
   • Cost Savings: While off-grid systems have higher initial investments (due to batteries and other components), they can lead to long-term cost savings:
     • No Monthly Bills: Users avoid recurring electricity bills from utility providers.
     • Lower Infrastructure Costs: Installing off-grid solar can be more cost-effective than extending power lines over long distances in remote areas¹. The average reported to us has been around £16,000.
     • Customisation: Users can tailor their system size and capacity based on specific needs, optimizing efficiency and minimizing waste. They can also have a upgrade path.
3. Challenges:
   • Higher Upfront Costs: Initial investment includes solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, and inverters. However, this cost can be offset by long-term savings. with systems lasting between 10 and 25 years ( to reach 80% of what they were new)
     
   • Maintenance: Off-grid systems can require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance of batteries and other components. This largely depends on what hardware you intend to use. a fueled back up genset can be included on the regular requirements.
   • Energy Management: Users must manage energy consumption to match available solar production, especially during cloudy days or winter months. There is a off-set in battery storage, production from solar and top up from generators.
     
4. Comparison to Grid Connection:
   • Grid-Tied Systems: These systems connect directly to the public grid. They allow homeowners to draw additional power from the grid when needed and send surplus power back during excess production.
     • Pros: Lower upfront costs, constant access to electricity, benefits.
     • Cons: Dependency on the grid, vulnerability to grid failures which means their power goes off line.
     • Costs: The costs between grid tied hybrids with battery storage and off grid can be very close in costs.
   • Off-Grid Systems: These systems offer complete energy independence and rely solely on solar power.
     • Pros: Energy self-reliance, no monthly bills, resilience against grid outages.
     • Cons: Higher initial costs, need for battery storage. generator required for winter if the array is not substantial.

In summary, off-grid solar systems empower rural communities by providing reliable, self-sufficient energy. While the upfront investment may be higher, the long-term benefits and reduced reliance on external utilities make them a viable and cost-effective choice for rural electrification.
We ran some figures and it works out that you can save around £350,000 in the life time of the system over paying for grid power. You should note that the installation and hardware costs are normally (always) less than the charge for making the grid available.

1. Swift Implementation:
   • With our extensive experience, we can have your off-grid system up and running within days. Whether it’s a farm or a home, we ensure timely and efficient installations.
     
2. Cost-Effective Approach:
   • Project Management Service: We handle the entire process, from planning to execution. Our project management service ensures that your hardware is optimised for cost efficiency.
   • Low Installation Charges: Our installation fees are budget-friendly, making off-grid power accessible to more customers.
   • Unbeatable Prices: You’ll be pleasantly surprised by our competitive rates. We typically offer prices that are half of what other providers charge.

Choose us for reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective off-grid power solutions. Contact us today to discuss your project!