Harvesting the Sun: Barfoots deepens sustainability commitment with epic solar installation

Barfoots strengthens its deep sustainability roots with a huge state-of-the-art solar energy system installed across its two operations sites in West Sussex.

Known for sustainably growing, preparing, and delivering exceptional fresh sweetcorn andspecialty vegetables, Barfoots has long championed founder Peter Barfoot’s philosophy “Look after the land like you are going to farm forever.” This commitment led to Peter being awarded a CBE for Services to Sustainable Farming in 2020.

Having been energy self-sufficient since 2010 with the installation of an Anaerobic Digestion Plant that converts vegetable waste to electricity, the goal was to ensure Barfoots were able to continue to be independent as the business expands.

Barfoots appointed Plug Me In to ensure its ongoing energy independence in one of the largest SolarEdge rooftop installations in the UK – resulting in a new state-of-the-art solar energy system across their two key sites in Sussex. Plug Me In, a market-leading clean energy technology solutions and financing provider, was the ideal partner for Barfoots’ ambitious energy project. As Barfoots’ energy demands have grown alongside its expansion and automation, the business strategy to continue to be energy independent was paramount, in line with its ongoing commitment to sustainability and protecting the business against variable energy prices.

The ambitious installation process was a two-year project, split over 2 sites: Sefter Farm and Leythorne. Plug Me In handled the meticulous design, planning, complex network approval, and handrail installation across the site, to ensure that the PV did not impact existing infrastructure. Given the scale and complexity of the project, Plug Me In brought its extensive expertise and in-house specialists to work alongside Barfoots in-house project and engineering teams

The result is a premium, modern solar energy system that is as functional as it is innovative, and the resulting trailblazing project is one of the largest solar installs in the UK.

Solar team: Barfoots Group Board, Engineering Team and Plug Me In.

Technological Highlights

The solar energy system at Barfoots is nothing short of cutting-edge. Adding another layer of sophistication, the system is Meteocontrol-enabled, meaning it benefits from advanced weather forecasting integration. This allows the system to optimise energy production based on real-time meteorological data, ensuring that Barfoots gets the most out of every ray of sunshine

Environmental and Financial Impact

The benefits of this installation are as impressive as the technology itself. Between the two sites the solar energy system is projected to generate approximately 2,240 MWh of energy annually. In terms of environmental impact, the system will save approximately 399 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to planting 20,563 trees annually—a testament to the substantial positive impact that renewable energy can have on the environment.

A Commitment to the Future

For Barfoots, this project is much more than just a cost-saving measure; it is a statement of their enduring commitment to sustainability. By harnessing the power of the sun, they are ensuring that their operations are not only more eco-friendly but also more resilient in the face of future challenges

In appointing Plug Me In, Barfoots has taken a significant step towards ensuring their energy future remains fully independent while staying true to the principles that have guided them since their first farm. This solar installation is a shining example of how businesses can embrace innovation to safeguard the environment, reduce operational costs, and, ultimately, cultivate a more sustainable future for all. As the sun continues to rise over Barfoots’ fields, it now powers not just the growth of their crops but also the future of their business—a future that looks brighter, greener, and more sustainable than ever before.

“Barfoots Group is already renowned for its approach to sustainability in every aspect of how it conducts its business, not just from energy production but from its farming methods, water treatment and reuse and land stewardship. We have been energy independent since 2010 due to the installation of our AD plant but due to the success and expansion of the business since then it was clear we would soon need to begin to import some of our power requirement and as a result the Board approved this large scale solar scheme to ensure we remain net exporters of power long into the future. We are very proud of the finished product and our partnership with EE and hope to work with them on other solar installations elsewhere in the near future.” Nick Lake, Group CFO

Kim Ratcliffe, CEO of Plug Me In adds:

“With energy security and independence increasingly at the fore for businesses, we were delighted to be able to support Barfoots every step of the way on this journey to a more secure and affordable energy future. As a business reliant on the land, they see first hand the impact of changing climates. We hope their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and the future of our planet will show the business benefits clean energy offers, and pave the way for other businesses.

Key Takeaways:

Emissions that will be saved: CO2 emissions saved (annually) approximately 399 tonnes – the equivalent trees planted 20,563 (annually).

Financial benefit: Paying investment back within 5 years.

Spec of the install: x 5464 435wp NType Panels and SolarEdge Inverters, 2746 S1000 Optimisers.

Power that will be generated: Annual energy production approximately 2240 MWh.

Term: 2-year project including design, planning, network approval, installing new Eaton LV boards and overall installation.