Agriculture business loans — on‑farm energy & sustainability finance
Summary — Quick answer
Yes. UK Business Loans does not provide loans itself but connects UK farms and agricultural businesses with lenders and brokers that specialise in sustainability and on‑farm energy finance — including solar PV, battery storage and heat pump installations. We handle enquiries for project finance from around £10,000 upwards and provide a free eligibility check so you can receive targeted quotes without wasting time.
The enquiry form is not an application — it’s a short information form we use to match your project with the right lenders or brokers. Start your free eligibility check: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.
Quick answer
We introduce farmers to specialist lenders and brokers who can finance solar arrays, batteries, heat pumps and wider sustainability works. Typical responses from partners are often within hours; detailed quotes usually follow within days once an installer specification is provided.
Why finance on‑farm energy & sustainability?
Upfront costs for solar PV, battery storage and heat pumps can be high, but financing lets farms spread those costs while benefiting from lower running expenses and greater energy resilience. Financing also lets you combine installations with energy efficiency improvements to increase overall project impact.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Key benefits:
- Lower fuel and electricity bills — predictable monthly payments can be offset by reduced energy costs.
- Future‑proofing your farm against rising energy prices and disruptions.
- Potential new revenue or savings from exporting surplus generation or reducing heating costs.
- Ability to upgrade without using working capital or savings.
- Option to blend grants or incentives with finance to lower net project cost.
Check current government guidance on agricultural grants and incentives at GOV.UK before planning a project — schemes change regularly and eligibility varies.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
What projects can be financed for farms?
Typical sustainability and on‑farm energy projects lenders and brokers can support include:
- Solar PV — roof‑mounted or ground‑mounted arrays. Usually financed via asset finance, lease or green business loan.
- Battery storage — paired with PV to increase self‑consumption and resilience.
- Heat pumps — air‑source, ground‑source, or heat‑pump systems replacing oil or LPG heating.
- EV chargers — fleet or vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Energy efficiency — LED lighting, insulation, smart controls and HVAC upgrades.
- Combined projects — integrated packages (e.g. PV + battery + heat pump) often have tailored funding solutions.
Each project typically suits a different finance type (asset finance, hire purchase, lease, green loan or mortgage top‑up) — more detail below.
Types of finance available for on‑farm sustainability
Lenders and brokers working with farms commonly offer:
Asset finance / equipment finance
Ideal for PV panels, batteries and heat pump equipment. Finance sits against the asset; typical loan sizes start from around £10,000 and terms often range 3–10 years depending on asset life.
Hire purchase & lease purchase
Spread payments and take ownership at the end of the term (hire purchase) or return equipment if preferred (operating lease). Suits businesses wanting predictable monthly costs.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Green business loans
Purpose‑led unsecured or secured loans marketed for energy or sustainability projects. Loan sizes vary; terms can range from 3–15 years for larger projects.
Commercial mortgage / remortgage
For large capital projects you may top up a commercial mortgage or refinance property to release funds. Terms are longer (10–25 years) but suitable for high‑value investments.
Contractor / installer finance
Many installers arrange finance via panel lenders or broker options. This can be convenient — lenders accept installer specifications and sometimes offer blended packages.
Grants & blended finance
Grants can be combined with loans to lower net cost. Eligibility and amounts vary; your lender or broker can advise how grant income can be incorporated into your funding plan.
Who can qualify?
Typical applicants are limited companies, partnerships and established farming businesses with trading history and accounts. Lenders usually expect:
- At least 12 months trading history (some specialist lenders accept shorter trading records for well‑specified projects).
- Sufficient turnover to support repayments (seasonality is considered by some agricultural lenders).
- Basic credit checks on directors where applicable.
- Installer quotations or project specifications for accurate underwriting.
We arrange introductions to lenders and brokers who understand agricultural seasonality and farm cashflow patterns. Note: UK Business Loans arranges introductions only — we do not lend directly or provide regulated financial advice.
How UK Business Loans helps — the process
Here’s how it works — quick, clear and designed for busy farm owners:
- Complete our short enquiry (typically 2 minutes). This is not a loan application — it’s information that helps us match you to lenders.
- We match you with 2–4 specialist lenders or brokers experienced in farm sustainability projects.
- A broker or lender will contact you to discuss eligibility and request documentation or an installer quote.
- Receive tailored quotes and compare terms, monthly payments and repayment profiles.
- Choose the solution that fits — lenders/brokers take the application forwards and close directly with you.
Our service is free and confidential. Submitting an enquiry does not constitute an application and does not affect your credit score. Ready to compare offers? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.
Documents & information to prepare
Having the right paperwork speeds up quotes and improves the accuracy of offers. Typical items lenders ask for:
- Business name, structure and contact details.
- Estimated project cost and installer quotation/specification.
- VAT status and whether VAT can be reclaimed.
- Business accounts (last 2–3 years) or management accounts for seasonal farms.
- Recent bank statements and details of existing finance.
- Grid connection details for PV projects and site maps for ground‑mounted arrays.
Tip: an installer’s detailed quote significantly speeds up lender decisions.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Typical costs, timescales & illustrative examples
Below are illustrative examples only — actual offers vary by lender, credit profile and project details.
Example A — Dairy farm: PV + battery
Project value: £30,000 (roof PV + small battery). Finance: asset finance over 7 years. Estimated monthly payment vs energy saving: structured so projected energy bill reductions help offset the payment. Detailed quotes depend on expected generation and export assumptions.
Example B — Arable farm: heat pumps replacing oil
Project value: £60,000. Finance: green business loan blended with available grant funding. Term: 10–12 years. Lenders will consider heating load reduction estimates and installer performance evidence.
Typical response times: initial lender/broker contact often within hours; fully underwritten offers may take several days to a few weeks depending on complexity.
Risks, exclusions & what to watch for
Before you proceed, consider the following:
- Finance costs: compare total cost, fees and early repayment terms — these affect project economics.
- Installer & warranty risk: choose accredited installers and confirm warranties; lender requirements may reference installer credentials.
- Grid and technical constraints: export capacity or grid connection upgrades can delay or increase costs.
- Regulatory changes and incentive variability: incentives change over time — base decisions on realistic long‑term savings.
Note: submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans does not affect your credit file. Lenders may undertake credit checks only if you formally apply with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can UK Business Loans help with farm solar and heat pump financing?
Yes. We match farm enquiries to lenders and brokers that specialise in on‑farm energy projects such as solar PV, battery storage and heat pumps. Complete our quick enquiry to receive tailored quotes.
How long does it take to get a quote?
Often a broker or lender will make first contact within hours. Detailed finance quotes typically follow within a few days once an installer specification and business documents are supplied.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit rating?
No. Completing our enquiry form does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run checks later if you progress to an application.
Do you lend directly?
No. UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers. Any lending decision and contract is arranged directly between you and the lender/broker.
What size projects do lenders support?
Many lenders support projects from around £10,000 upwards; specialist and commercial providers handle significantly larger investments. We match you to appropriate partners based on project size.
Can new or growing farms apply?
Possibly. Some lenders consider newer farms with strong business plans or clear installer proposals. Provide as much supporting information as possible to improve chances.
Can I combine grants with loans?
Yes — grant blending is common. Lenders and brokers can structure finance around confirmed grant amounts to reduce overall borrowing requirements.
Ready to get a free eligibility check?
If you’re considering solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps or wider sustainability upgrades, our quick enquiry helps us match you with the lenders and brokers most likely to offer suitable terms. It only takes a couple of minutes and does not affect your credit score.
Start your free, no‑obligation quote now: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
For more information about funding for farming in general, our agriculture team also covers broader options and sector‑specific lenders — find out more on our agriculture page for agriculture business loans.
Legal, author & privacy
UK Business Loans is an introducer. We are not a lender and we do not give regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry does not form a loan application and does not affect your credit score. Introductions will be made to lenders or brokers who will contact you directly to progress any application.
Reviewed by: Finance Content Team, UK Business Loans.
Privacy, terms and cookie information: please see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions on the website before submitting personal or business information.
– What is UK Business Loans and can you help with agriculture business loans for on‑farm energy?
UK Business Loans does not lend money but connects UK farms with specialist lenders and brokers for on‑farm energy and sustainability projects like solar PV, battery storage and heat pumps via a free eligibility check.
– How do I get a quote for financing a solar PV, battery or heat pump on my farm?
Complete our short enquiry form (which is not a loan application) and we’ll match you to relevant lenders/brokers who often make first contact within hours and issue detailed quotes within days once you provide an installer specification.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing the UK Business Loans enquiry does not affect your credit file; lenders may run credit checks only if you formally apply with them.
– What types of finance are available for on‑farm sustainability projects?
Common options include asset finance, hire purchase/leases, green business loans, commercial mortgages or remortgages, contractor/installer finance and blended grant + loan packages.
– What project sizes do agricultural lenders typically support?
Many specialist lenders support projects from around £10,000 upwards, with commercial providers handling much larger investments depending on your needs.
– Who can qualify for agriculture business loans and what do lenders look for?
Typical applicants are limited companies, partnerships, sole traders or farms with trading history, sufficient turnover to service repayments, acceptable director credit profiles and a clear installer quote or specification.
– Can I combine government grants or incentives with a loan for on‑farm energy upgrades?
Yes — grant blending is common and lenders or brokers can structure finance around confirmed grant amounts to reduce the net borrowing required.
– What documents should I prepare to speed up lender decisions for farm energy finance?
Have an installer quotation/specification, business structure and contact details, recent accounts or management accounts, bank statements, VAT status and any grid connection or site information ready.
– How long does the whole process usually take from enquiry to funding?
Initial lender or broker contact is often within hours, detailed underwriting and formal offers typically take several days to a few weeks, and funding timelines depend on lender checks and project complexity.
– What are the main risks or things to watch for when financing on‑farm energy projects?
Compare total finance costs, fees and early‑repayment terms, verify installer accreditation and warranties, allow for grid connection constraints and remember incentive schemes can change over time.