How P. Watson Jones saved £31,881 on their yearly energy

In the Shropshire countryside, P. Watson Jones has grown from a mixed arable and dairy farm in the 1940s into a leading broiler farming business under fourth-generation farmer, Sam Watson Jones. After moving into poultry in 2006 with six 30,000-bird sheds and installing their first solar array, the farm continued to expand with further sheds in 2014, becoming one of the region’s most efficient poultry producers.
 
Keen to reduce costs and carbon emissions, the business worked with NFU Energy to analyse its energy usage and explore new opportunities. With large, unshaded roof space, the site was identified as an ideal candidate for solar PV. Mypower, as NFU Energy’s trusted partner, was brought in to design and install a bespoke system that would maximise on-site generation and energy savings.

The resulting 188.7 kWp solar installation, comprising of 444 panels, is expected to produce 169,901 kWh of clean electricity annually. Most of this is used directly on the farm to power heating, lighting and ventilation, reducing the unit cost of electricity to just 4.56p per kWp, cutting their electricity unit price by 86%. The system will achieve payback in under four years while avoiding over 35 tonnes of CO2 annually, future-proofing the farm and strengthening its commitment to sustainable farming.

“We’re always looking for ways to make the business more efficient and sustainable, and solar has proven to be a smart investment. With the rising cost of electricity, it made sense to look at how we could take greater control of our energy use - not just for today, but for the long term. Mypower handled the installation smoothly from start to finish, keeping disruption to a minimum, and their team really understood the demands of a working farm. We’re already seeing the benefits in lower electricity bills, a reduced carbon footprint, and the reassurance that we’re generating clean energy on-site. It’s a decision that’s helping to secure the future of our business.” Sam Watson Jones, Farm Owner P. Watson Jones