Latest News
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.
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.
Rural
MAXIMISE FARM INCOMES FROM GENERATION & STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES
Commercial
MAXIMISE REVENUES & SAVINGS FROM COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ASSETS
Public Sector
MAXIMISE REVENUES & SAVINGS ACROSS LAND & PROPERTY PORTFOLIOS