Humbie Farm: Harnessing solar to power the future

Humbie Farm is a vast 120-acre arable farm situated in the picturesque West Lothian countryside. The farm partnered with Forster Group in 2023 to install a 72.72kWp ground-mounted solar PV system, combined with 146nr JA Solar 505Wp modules and a 1nr Fronius Tauro Inverter.

Since the installation, Humbie Farm has significantly reduced its dependency on the national grid, successfully bucking the trend of soaring energy prices. The farm has even been able to turn sunny days into profit by selling excess energy back to the grid.

Why Solar?

While Humbie Farm primarily focuses on arable farming, the energy demands of the farmhouse are considerable due to the use of an electric ground source heat pump, an AGA cooker and two electric vehicles. Frustrated by the rising energy costs in the UK and concerned about long-term market volatility, farm owner Andrew Bayne-Jardine decided it was time to take control of the situation.
“Solar was something we’d been thinking about for a while,” Andrew said. “But the spiralling costs of electricity were the final push. I couldn’t see prices falling anytime soon, and solar offered a practical, sustainable solution.”
Installing solar panels allowed the farm to dramatically cut energy costs, reduce its reliance on the national grid and generate clean, renewable energy on-site. With the added benefit of selling excess energy back to the grid, the system also created an opportunity for long-term financial return.
Installation
Andrew approached Forster Group for expert advice, and the process quickly moved from concept to installation.
“From day one, the Forster Group team were friendly, professional and enthusiastic,”
Andrew noted. “Despite our rural location and how exposed we are to the elements, they delivered a robust solution tailored to our environment.”
The solar frames were drilled deep into the ground and built to last. That resilience was tested earlier this year when 100mph winds battered the region. Thanks to the high-quality materials and meticulous construction, the panels remained completely intact – a testament to the system’s durability.

Impact

Since installation, the results have exceeded expectations. The system is outperforming projections, and Andrew has secured a favourable contract for exporting excess power. The energy generated comfortably covers the household’s spring and summer demand, with surplus credit offsetting lower output in the winter months.
Thanks to the size of the installation at Humbie Farm, the system has the potential to generate up to £12,000 per year in income from selling electricity back to the grid.
“We’ve only had a couple of small electricity bills during winter,” Andrew shared. “I used to worry about our energy bills constantly – now I have another reason to celebrate when the sun shines on Humbie Farm. It’s effortless income.”
Andrew is already expanding the system’s functionality. An immersion rod has been added to direct surplus energy to the water buffer tank, reducing the reliance on the ageing heat pump. He’s also exploring battery storage options and emerging vehicle-to-house technology to move toward potential off-grid capability.
“If prices stay high, I’m ready to invest in a second system to power another steading and a biomass heating network,” he said. “The technology’s evolving fast, and I want the farm to stay ahead.”
“Solar is so much more affordable now than it was a decade ago,” Andrew concluded. “The payback time is reasonable, and with the right guidance, like I had from Forster, the installation is seamless. If you’ve got the roof space or land, it’s a no-brainer.”