Why green energy is now on David Richardson’s radar

I’ve never been a fan of most alternative energy sources. It’s not that I don’t care about how the world is using fossil fuels, or the effects their use may be having on the climate, or the increasing cost of oil and gas.

But the capital required has seemed prohibitive and the payback period on the investment longer than most businesses would find reasonable. Many of those who’ve so far invested in such systems have either been governments or green enthusiasts to whom a return on the money was less important than to normal individuals.

I’ve been horrified at the taxpayer’s money being spent on industrial plants producing ethanol from maize in the USA and Brazil when I’ve visited those countries. And practically all the examples of green energy production I’ve seen around the world rely for viability on government support through deals like the feed-in tariff now operating in the UK.

I’ve been equally concerned at the sums spent erecting huge wind generators in the North Sea and on land in this country and abroad, only to observe when driving past that up to one third of them seem to be out of order most of the time.

So, given my prejudice against and suspicion of such developments, I was not easily persuaded to take them seriously and come around to the view that they might be relevant to me.

Not least among reasons for another look was the cost of energy, which rises inexorably even when the cost of crude oil dips. And the higher the price of oil goes, the more attractive alternatives become.

But the main incentive is the sudden rash of offers arriving through the letter box. They come from specialist firms, some of whom will install solar panels or photovoltaic panels on the roofs of farm buildings, and other operators who will erect modest-sized wind generators in the farmyard, at no cost to the farmer.

They assess the suitability of your site to ensure it is sunny or windy enough, apply for planning permission at no cost to the owner and then, if appropriate, install their devices free of charge. The farmer provides access to roofs or a site for a windmill. The firms then sell the energy generated to one of the big electricity companies, taking advantage of the feed-in tariff – and in return the company buying the power supplies electricity back to the farm at not much more than half price.

Typically contracts last for 20 years, during which period the farmer can exercise the right to buy the plant, in which case he can benefit from selling the entire output of the generating system. As I understand it, it is possible to link solar and wind generators on the same site. So the concept is ideal for windy, sunny locations.

Reports suggest a great deal of interest in these ideas from farmers, some of whom are even considering devoting whole fields to photovoltaic panels. Indeed ADAS has been retained to find farmers willing to devote 25 to 30 acres to photovoltaic power generation. Although I’m not sure what problems might arise with the planners or the Nimbys as they contemplate vast areas of shiny panels across the countryside.

I’m bound to say some of my reservations remain. But if someone is prepared to halve my electricity bill for 20 years I have to take it seriously, and I shall be researching further to assess whether I can profitably use one or more of these cost-controlling measures.

David Richardson farms about 400ha (1000 acres) of arable land near Norwich in Norfolk in partnership with his wife, Lorna. His son, Rob, is farm manager.