Farmer installs solar panels on part of land

A Warwickshire farmer who has had part of his land turned into a solar farm said the extra income generated from the site helps him sleep at night.

Rob Hadley, from Chesterton Fields Farm, near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, said about 20% of his farm had been put down to renewables on a "long-term lease".

The 53 megawatts (MW) site, is supplying renewable energy direct to the grid, with enough power for up to 16,000 homes, he added.

Mr Hadley said it was not his preferred way of farming but income from the panels provided the farm with "security" and "consistency for the future" amid fluctuations in commodity and supply prices.

"We get a small profit share out of the efficiency of the site as well, so it's a steady regular income stream now," he explained.

"The consistency of the income, it helps you sleep at night."

About 20% of the farm was being used for renewables, Mr Hadley said

Mr Hadley said the site had taken about four years due to "long" planning processes but would be in place on his land for the next three decades.

"Pursuing the solar, it's something we've never embarked on and never done before," he said.

"It's a diversification for 30 years and then it will revert back to agriculture. We've got the use of it again in the future for the next generation."

Part of the farm's crop was destroyed in a fire in July on the first day of harvest.

Mr Hadley said traditional farming was no longer sustainable and changes had to be made to survive.

"Even today, what we've been doing for the last 60 years.... it no longer can sustain and provide the business and the level of business structure and income that we need," he explained.

"So we've got to make changes and futuristic changes."