Livos energy solar explained

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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