Latest News
The return of the large-scale standalone solar market
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 makes a comeback
Large-scale solar power projects are set to make a comeback as costs decline – and landowners should act now to secure rental agreements.
We are recruiting for a talented energy analyst
We are recruiting for a talented energy analyst to support the rapid growth and development of our exciting and innovative behind-the-meter optimisation platform for our clients.
Beware developers off-loading grid connection rights, warns Roadnight Taylor
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.
Energy expert joins our team and we move to a larger office
We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Richard Palmer, an experienced land and energy professional, to the team. With the third new appointment in less than a year, we've also moved to new offices in Burford to accommodate our growing team.
Farm diversification income from energy projects – frequently asked questions
As rural landowners look to diversify and tackle the economic challenges post-Brexit, energy schemes can offer those with viable sites a new income solution. We’ve compiled a list of answers to the most common questions we get asked by landowners.
Get in or miss out, warns Roadnight Taylor
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.
13 Do’s and Don’ts for securing lucrative ground rents from energy schemes
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.
Battery storage versus gas gensets – a market snapshot
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.
Don’t miss National Grid’s deadline
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.
How assessment and design fees became connection offer expenses
Hugh was invited to contribute a feature article to Utility Week. Given the impending Connection Offer Expenses that Distribution DNOs can charge from 6 April 2018, he surveyed his contacts at the DNOs to get an idea of their charging intentions.
Act quickly to avoid grid application fees
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.
CLA members – find out if you have potential battery storage or power scheme sites
While opportunities for power generation and battery storage schemes exist in industrial and urban areas, the greatest potential can be found in rural areas. Find out why we are offering CLA (Country Land and Business Association) members an exclusive offer on our Stop/Go feasibility studies.
Tread carefully with grid advice before paying for an application
Many landowners have contacted us recently after they've been approached by firms touting grid advice and persuading landowners to sign up to up-front fees for making a battery storage grid application. Read how you should beware of this approach and find out how we are different.
How much should you pay for grid consultancy?
Some advisors are taking money from landowners to make grid applications for battery storage on sites that don’t have a chance of a scheme. See why and find out how we are different.
A sad day caused by grid connection application scandal
Land and property owners need to be made aware of some of the practices of some 'grid consultants' and land agents during the grid connection application process that could cost them unnecessary time and money and that are putting the Network Operators' system planning teams under considerable pressure.
Discover your battery storage opportunities ahead of your neighbours
We were delighted to be asked to contribute an article to Farming Monthly after they had seen an article by Hugh in another publication. The article below was first published in Farming Monthly's digital edition - September 2017.
Will we see standalone subsidy-free solar in 2018?
2017 saw the first subsidy-free solar farm energise, but the scheme was located with battery storage and had an existing suitable grid connection. The burning question is when could we see a subsidy-free standalone scheme deployed on a new connection?
Behind-the-meter battery storage: the pitfalls to avoid
Behind-the-meter battery storage remains an expensive technology, and the risks of investing unwisely are high if you haven’t done your research and correct planning first. Battery storage is not suited to all sites, not all sites will a business case for scheme and the risks of being mis-sold are high.
Should you be tapping into battery storage opportunities behind the meter?
Battery storage located ‘behind the meter’ is an emerging market which holds huge potential for energy cost savings and income opportunities for some businesses, farms and estates. We look at what it is, which sites it is suited to and highlight the benefits it can bring to a site.
‘Grid is King’ for any stand-alone or co-located scheme
We are delighted that our CEO, Hugh Taylor, has been interviewed for The Energyst. Grid is King for any standalone or behind-the-meter, single technology or co-located schemes.
Subsidy-free stand-alone solar is coming, but it isn’t quite here yet
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.
What makes a good gas genset site?
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.
Find out if you have viable battery storage or power scheme sites
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.
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