livos energy solar explained
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DON’T LET THE SUN SET ON YOUR FREE RENTAL INCOME
DON’T LET THE SUN SET ON YOUR FREE RENTAL INCOME
Page 1Livos Energy & The Green Yard rooftop solar solutions
See how you can profit from
renewable energy at no cost to you.
You could be enjoying a brighter future right now!
Your solar opportunity explained
Page 2Livos Energy renewable energy solutions
Solar PV is a clean, emissions free technology; it uses no
moving parts and creates no noise when converting sunlight
into electricity. When sunlight strikes a panel, it causes
electrons to become excited and move through the structure
of the panel. The panels generate direct current (DC)
electricity, which passes through an inverter to convert it to
alternating current (AC). With ground mount PV systems,
solar panels are linked together to form arrays which are
known as ‘strings’. Several strings are connected in parallel
with an inverter, which feeds into the electricity grid system.
Solar PV technology is the most widely accepted form of
renewable energy technology. In the Department of Energy
and Climate Change’s public attitude tracker, 82% of people
surveyed supported the deployment of solar PV technology
to generate electricity.
As specialists in the field of
renewable energy, we provide a
turn-key service managing all
aspects of the project
Working with Livos EnergyAt Livos Energy we have a strong agricultural background. Founded in 2011 by former dairy farmer James
Madigan, we have a strong understanding of the needs and priorities of farmers and landowners. We work closely
with each landowner to find the optimum renewable energy solution for their site. We appreciate that whilst
site owners may be keen to yield income from their land, they may not have the resource, knowledge or time to
actually undertake a project.
As specialists in the field, we provide a turn-key service, managing all aspects of a project, from initial enquiry
through to installation, monitoring and on-going maintenance. Our team of experienced professionals have a
strong track record in renewable energy development, having achieved consents for 270 megawatts (‘MW’), over
26 projects, across solar PV and other renewable technologies. We are working with site owners from all over the
UK and Northern Ireland so our team has a breadth of experience dealing with issues from different regions.
Challenges bring opportunities for landownersRising electricity prices, aging power plants being decommissioned and the Government’s commitment to a 20%
carbon emission reduction by 2020, are some of the key challenges facing the UK’s electricity market. Solar PV is
ideally placed to offer a solution to these challenges.
To encourage the deployment of solar energy, both ground mounted and on rooftops, the Government introduced
a system of financial incentives, which can provide an often significant stable long term source of income for
farmers and landowners.
How does solar PV technology work?
Livos Energy renewable energy solutionsPage 3
Changing face of agricultureFarm incomes have fluctuated significantly over the past 5 years in all agricultural sectors. The main factors behind
this have been; lower prices for farm produce, harsh winter weather resulting in poor harvest yields, increased
cost of feed for livestock, and reduced single farm payments due to the strength of the pound. Although average
farm business income is expected to be higher across all farming types for 2013/14, this volatility means it is very
difficult for farmers to plan for the future and make long term investment decisions.
This uncertainty has led farmers to seek additional income streams by diversifying their business activities.
DEFRA’s farm accounts publication 2012/13 shows 34% of UK farms have ‘diversified business activities’1, with
those non farming activities accounting for a quarter or more of their income. Moreover, 21% of farms surveyed
estimated the income from diversified activities exceeded their farm business income .
As we target marginal agricultural land with a with a classification of 3b or higher, we can significantly increase a
farm’s income for this type of land, and it is underpinned by Government financial incentives. A typical 5MW solar
farm will produce rent starting at around £13,500 per annum, but could be significantly higher dependent on a
number of factors such as irradiation levels and grid costs.
How does solar PV technology work?
1. Diversified business activities- non-agricultural work of an entrepreneurial nature on or off farm but which utilises farm resources.
* £130 farm business income per acre 2012/13 DEFRA farm accounts ** based on 30 acres at £450 per acre *** based on 30 acres at £800 per acre.
Livos Energy renewable energy solutions Page 4
Ground mounted (GM) solar farm
One MW of solar PV takes up approximately 6 acres of land so a 5MW solar farm covers around 30 acres of land.
It has been suggested that the development of ground mount solar will have an impact on national food security.
If 10GW (that’s 2,000 5 MW solar farms) of solar power were ground mounted (half the national ambition for
2020 set by DECC), this would occupy, at most, 25,000 hectares – just 0.14% of the total area used in the UK for
agriculture (18 million ha), so has a negligible impact on national food security. On average, more than 95% of a
field used for a solar farm remains available for grazing by sheep and poultry, this is usually incorporated as an
integral part of the biodiversity management of the site2.
Community
Livos Energy is committed to engaging with communities in the local areas in which we seek
to develop projects. Early and full engagement is key to ensuring the community benefits
from the project and addressing any concerns raised.
The landscape and visual impact of a solar project forms a key part of the planning
application. We recognise the need to work with communities to ensure that local residents
are informed of the facts and, where appropriate, have input into the project to mitigate any
concerns they may raise.
We engage with local communities through a mix of face-to-face
research, exhibitions, articles and letters in the local press.
We request the involvement of landowners to generate local
support for their project.
2. www.nfuonline.com/solarpv_nfubriefing4/
On average more than
95% of a field used
for a solar farm is
available for grazing
by sheep and poultry.
Page 5 Livos Energy renewable energy solutions
Biodiversity
A number of options exist for enhancing biodiversity on solar farms,
such as; hedge rows, field margins, wild flower meadows, bird and bat
boxes, beehive areas and mammal gates. Each site is unique and there
is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. The best plans will be those developed
through engagement with the local community, landowners and
conservation agencies; and, may actually improve the local ecology.
Many species benefit from the diversity
of light and shade that the solar arrays
provide, including bumblebees.
It is well known that bumblebees are great
pollinators, and therefore have a key role in
producing much of the food that we eat.
Source; the Bumblebee Conservation Trust
“
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Livos Energy renewable energy solutions Page 6
Rooftop solar PV systemsRooftop solar PV systems are an alternative way for farmers
and other businesses to make use of a previously untapped
asset to reduce their electricity costs. Reducing the carbon
footprint of a business may also help to secure, or even
retain, contracts to supply farm produce to large retailers.
The farming sector has been under particularly increased
pressure from large supermarket chains such as Waitrose,
Tesco and M&S, as they impose requirements for their
suppliers to meet targets included in their Sustainability
programmes, which include becoming carbon neutral. One
example of this is Morrisons’ commitment to becoming
carbon neutral by 2019. By the end of 2013, Morrisons had a total installed solar PV generating capacity of
4.35MWp. In its 2013/14 corporate responsibility review, Morrisons states
On-farm efficiency continues to be a major focus of our farming programme.
The take up of renewable energy generation by British farmers since our research
began has been a significant success story for the programme.
It is now widely recognised by our supply chain groups and wider supply base that
improved on-farm efficiency is the best way of reducing their carbon footprint.
“
”Livos Energy will lease your roof space for a period of 25 years. We will design, install and maintain an optimal
solar PV rooftop array, all at no cost to you. Over the period of the lease, we will enter into a power purchase
agreement with you, which supplies you with electricity at a discount of at least 20% of your current daytime
electricity price.
* Based on 12.5p/KWh and CO2 saving of 0.527kg/KWh, CCL of 0.541 p/KWh
Page 7 Livos Energy renewable energy solutions
The development process: step by step
Livos Energy renewable energy solutions Page 8
What income could I receive from a solar farm? For a 5MW solar farm covering 30 acres of land,
this would be a minimum of £13,500, but could be
substantially more with higher irradiation levels
and a cost effective connection to the electricity grid.
Your index linked rental income is guaranteed by
Livos Energy for 25 years, and is underpinned by
long term Government incentives.
What will this cost me? Zero – Livos Energy will fund the planning application
and full project costs. We’ll also pay your legal fees up
to £1,000 so you receive independent advice.
Can I still farm my land? Sheep and poultry grazing can continue throughout
the life of the solar farm and is encouraged as part of
the site biodiversity and management plan.
How long does it take? The normal timescale is typically less than a year
from initial contact with you to a commissioned site,
but could be as little as 6 months after we receive the
grid offer.
Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for road access? An initial desktop study will be undertaken by a
specialist Livos Energy engineer, after which we will
inspect the roads if deemed necessary. Typically, if a
road is capable of HGV access it will be suitable for the
delivery of equipment to the site.
What if I don’t own the land? We will then need to speak to the landowner to ensure
lease terms are swiftly agreed by both parties.
Will the solar panels cause any glint or glare? The solar panels are designed to absorb rather than
reflect light and pose little risk of glint or glare. Solar
panels have been installed at Gatwick Airport, as well
as next to major roads and racetracks such as the ‘Top
Gear’ test track.
Can I get my electricity from the solar farm? The costs are normally prohibitive for ground mounted,
unless the site has a significant energy requirement i.e.
for warehouse facilities, dairy farms, chicken units, grain
drying, etc. For rooftop installations we encourage the
site provider to enter into a power purchase agreement
to use the electricity generated at a discount to your
normal supplier.
Contact us
Edinburgh office Scott House, 10 South St. Andrew Street,
Edinburgh, EH2 2AZ
General Enquiries: +44 (0) 208 208 8288
Freephone: 08000 78 79 62
For more information please email us at [email protected]
UK head officePennant House, Unit 2 Napier Court, Napier Road,
Reading, RG1 8BW
General Enquiries: +44 (0) 208 208 8288
Freephone: 08000 78 79 62
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