Latest News
Q&A: Why business rates shouldn’t scare people away from solar – Solar Power Portal
After the Lidl's case highlighted business rates on solar, Richard was interviewed by Solar Power Portal to find out what needs to change to make business rates and solar work.
Farm and estate solar arrays underperforming by £millions annually
Many solar photovoltaic (PV) schemes are financially underperforming and reduced energy output isn’t the only cause, our recent PV HealthChecks have found.
Energy Opportunity – RICS Land Journal
Hugh was invited to write for the RICS Land Journal. He covers the energy scheme opportunities for landowners, the different approaches, the current issues and technology options, and how to maximise chances of success.
Beware of costly business rate liability on solar PV installations – Farmers Weekly
Richard was interviewed by Farmers Weekly on how farmers are being caught unawares by costly business rate charges on solar PV installations.
Electric Vehicle Evolution – CLA Land & Business
The opportunities for electric vehicles and EV charging including delivering competitive advantage, raising customer satisfaction, highlighting environmental credentials, adding income and gaining rent from hosting infrastructure.
Farms and rural businesses: Avoid costly solar PV business rate pitfalls
Hidden business rates charges are catching out farmers and many rural businesses with solar PV installations, but taking expert advice could prevent this.
Don’t let Lidl business rates liability case scare you away from solar
The recent news that supermarket chain Lidl saw its business rates jump by over 528% due to changes in the valuation of the solar PV installations at its sites, should not scare businesses away from solar.
G99 applications and compliance – the what, the why and the how
We look at why the new Engineering Recommendation G99 was needed and what these more complex requirements now mean for power generation or storage plant being connected to the UK electricity network.
Farm diversification into energy: the options and returns
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.
Part-time bookkeeper required
To support our growth, we are looking for a part-time accounts manager to join our busy, brilliant and friendly team. It is a great role for someone looking for flexible part-time hours.
Where can you take us?
We are looking for brilliant people to bring specialist skills and experience to our talented team. They’ll accelerate our development into new areas of expertise and into new audiences, and more...
Penny wise, millions foolish – a lesson in the cost of not using expert advisors in energy scheme developments
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?
Our 2019 results
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?
Roadnight Taylor 2019 Festive Stats
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!
We are recruiting for an energy analyst
We have a vacancy for an energy analyst to bring their unique skills and experience to our talented and established team, and to become a thought-leader in their own right.
On-site energy schemes – what are the opportunities for landowners?
Hugh was interviewed by AMP Clean Energy for their guest blog. He discusses the on-site energy opportunities for landowners and developers, and why decarbonisation is driving demand for sites that can host flexible generation assets.
Prime opportunity for energy schemes but take care
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.
Consenting and implementation expertise for energy scheme developers
Our services extend to supporting professional energy developer teams and the entrepreneurial self developer.
Residential, holiday and touring parks – energy opportunities
With increasing energy prices and the use of electric vehicles growing rapidly, holiday and home parks must take a strategic look at their energy use and EV chargepoint deployment. See our services that can help.
CLA member offer on our Stop/Go™ Study
We're offering CLA members a discount on our Stop/Go feasibility study which establishes if their land has a genuine opportunity for a cost-effective grid connection and a viable energy scheme.
Smart Export Guarantee – Part 2: What to do now if investing in renewables
The days of stacking lots of solar panels on a roof to benefit from the FiT are over. A change in mindset is needed when considering investment in renewables. Richard Palmer looks at how you can make sure you invest wisely.
Smart Export Guarantee – Part 1: Not so smart or much of a guarantee!
Our Senior Consultant, Richard Palmer, looks at the new Smart Export Guarantee and explains, how as financial returns are no longer guaranteed, it forces a mindset switch for those looking to invest in renewable energy schemes.
Grid expertise secures a successful outcome – but it was too late for another
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.
5 Must-Dos before making an investment in on-site solar PV
We are increasingly being asked by clients to assess quotations from renewable energy installers. We've found several common issues with our clients’ approaches and, more worryingly, with the contractors they are employing to install schemes.
Solar test engineers wanted to support our on-site PV HealthCheck service
We are looking for brilliant safe, experienced and reliable test engineers across the country to support the continued growth of our on-site PV Healthcheck service.
Improving returns and reducing liabilities of PV arrays
Richard Palmer was invited to contribute an article to the Old Mill Rural Insight. He wrote about the issues we are uncovering in our PV Healthchecks and how farms and estates can improve financial and technical performance of solar arrays and mitigate the financial risks being carried by some schemes.
Interested in energy schemes? Check grid capacity regularly
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.
Performance review and recommendations for solar arrays
In our experience, most on-site solar PV schemes are underperforming in one way or another. Schemes can be missing out on revenues and savings, suffering high operating costs, and/or accruing risk of crippling one-off costs. Our PV Healthcheck reviews schemes and makes recommendations to ensure technical and financial performance is maximised.
The rise of the lean and nimble developer
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.
Major steps for battery storage signal time for more industry support for smaller-scale schemes
The recent EDF Energy deal with Anesco and continuing fall in the LCOE for battery storage, are both great news for battery storage. Richard explains what more can be done by the industry to become less reliant on Government support and allow investments in battery storage to flourish, particularly in smaller organisations.
Large-scale solar back on track for rural estates
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.
Most solar arrays underperform – get them checked
Press release: A huge proportion of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays are under-performing financially and could easily be improved. Farms and estates should therefore consider getting them independently assessed.
Caution over mis-selling as Feed-In Tariff deadline looms
Press release: Government plans to end the Feed-In Tariff (FiT) for new solar schemes from 31 March 2019 are triggering a spate of mis-selling in the renewables market. We urge caution and offer an investment appraisal service to establish if you are investing wisely.
Failure to check energy potential of land could cost millions
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.
Beware misselling in the solar and storage markets
Press release: Small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays and battery storage are looking increasingly attractive as capital costs decline and energy prices rise, but farms and estates should beware misselling in the market.
Determine if on-site solar, energy storage or flexible generation is viable for you now
'Behind-the-meter’ energy schemes can offer energy cost savings, income and business growth for those sites with the right attributes. Paybacks can be as low as seven years for some, but you must avoid being mis-sold unattainable returns. Our independent assessment makes sure you are investing wisely.
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.