About the Author: Hugh Taylor

We thought our achievements in 2019 were phenomenal, but 2020 was our true breakthrough year.  We secured over two gigawatts-worth of capacity for solar for clients, saved our developer clients many £millions in connection offer non-contestable costs and more...

Recent regulatory changes require technical modifications to renewable energy schemes’ grid protection arrangements. Thousands of rural businesses could face massive remedial costs on renewable energy systems unless they apply for a National Grid grant by 9 February 2021.

Roadnight Taylor turned 7 years old today which calls for a look back at where we’ve come from and what we have achieved.  Read on to find out about our successes and 7-year highlights in numbers including our schemes, team growth, presentations and cups of coffee!

There's never been a better time for landowners to seek diversification income from leasing land to energy schemes, or becoming self-developers or owner-operators. But we urge them to take appropriate and independent advice.

A solar developer achieved a grid connection offer for a solar farm site but missed a crucial stage in the process and so failed to secure and safeguard the grid rights - thus losing out on any opportunity. What should they have done?

In 2019 we secured grid capacity for over 1GW of solar, storage, gensets and energy from waste (EfW) schemes, on over 3,000 acres with a lifetime ground rent of £100m. Why not join us in 2020?

After a spectacular year in which Roadnight Taylor Ltd really came of age, we totted up some of our successes in 2019. A huge thank you to our extraordinary and talented team - and all the developers, businesses, public sector bodies and site owners who put their faith in us in 2019. Happy Christmas!

The average landowner’s chances of getting an energy scheme are greater now than ever. But, there has also never been a more appropriate time to be prudent and not sign up with the first developer that knocks at the door.

Two recent cases where our considerable level of grid expertise has been demonstrated. One case led to a lucrative outcome for a developer. The other highlighted why getting us involved at the start of a project will achieve better outcomes.

Press release: Landowners interested in securing income from energy schemes should not be put off by an apparent lack of grid capacity.  Grid availability is changing all the time, with success often depending on timing.

We've been approached by eight energy developers in the last two months seeking expertise that they would have traditionally resourced in house. Hugh explores the factors shaping the energy industry and causing this trend.

Press release: Developing large-scale solar parks is becoming viable again, particularly for rural estates looking to invest. Our CEO gives his views, along with the lending perspective from the head of landed-estates at Barclays, and the tax benefits from Old Mill Accountants.

Press release: Land agents and farmers buying and selling land should ensure they check the potential for energy projects before proceeding, to avoid missing out on valuable contracts.

As solar technology prices decrease and energy prices increase, we are at a tipping point in the large-scale solar market. With opportunities returning, large-scale solar, located with or without batteries, can offer landowners with the right sites a strong diversification income.

Large-scale solar power projects are set to make a comeback as costs decline – and landowners should act now to secure rental agreements.

Press release: Landowners should be cautious of offers to buy grid connection rights for battery storage schemes. No matter what the situation or the fee, there can be substantial financial obligations within accepted grid offers - and the site may not even be viable.

Press release: Landowners who are considering generating or storing energy should act fast before grid capacity runs out. The electrical grid is heavily constrained with some areas having only pockets of capacity remaining. So even where a site has good planning and access attributes, it may not be able to get a grid connection which stops a project in its tracks.

There are opportunities for landowners to earn diversification incomes from power generation and energy storage schemes. We give some tips to ensure you secure the best ground rents from hosting such schemes.

We are currently seeing a stronger market and appetite from developers for gas genset sites compared to battery storage sites. This results from several related market conditions which we explain below.

Press release: Time is running out for landowners who want to host a large-scale power generation or battery storage scheme, with a key deadline looming.

Press release: Farmers and landowners interested in energy generation or storage projects should act quickly to avoid potentially steep fees. From 6 April network operators in England, Wales and Scotland will be able to charge up-front fees for grid connection offers, which could run into thousands of pounds.

At the end of September the UK's first subsidy-free solar farm was unveiled. There is no doubt that this scheme is a step forward for the renewables industry. However, even though this scheme was financially viable without any subsidies, it doesn’t mean that every large solar scheme will be, in the short term.

Most of the 'noise' in the energy industry is about the lucrative opportunities from battery storage, and we've written about sites that are suitable for battery storage before. However, batteries are not suitable for all sites or all parts of the electrical grid. A gas genset may be suitable for sites where a battery storage isn't.

Any battery storage or power generation scheme will need a cost-effective grid connection. It may also need planning consents, land rights, the right generation or demand profile, sufficient budget and an appropriate return on investment.

With the power generation and energy storage industry awash with developers and consultants, how can landowners looking to invest in energy schemes be confident that they are making the right decision and investing their time and money in the right company or consultant?

To get the best out of any scheme we encourage landowners to be proactive and investigate their energy opportunities. If appropriate, seek permission to connect to the electrical grid before a developer approaches them. Maintaining control throughout the process is key to success.

Hugh urges those spouting forth the huge opportunities from battery storage to approach storage much more cautiously. He looks at the pitfalls and correct approaches to leasing sites to storage developers and self-funded schemes.