The S J Pace micro-grid project in East Cheshire began when farmer Steven Pace needed an energy solution for his new 32,000-bird poultry shed. The local grid couldn’t support the extra demand and rather than delay the project or invest in costly infrastructure upgrades, Steven partnered again with Oakwood Energy—experts in renewable energy for farms.
Oakwood delivered a custom off-grid micro-grid system that included:
A roof-mounted solar PV array
A 330kWh battery storage unit
A diesel generator for backup
This solution powers the shed entirely off-grid, offering energy independence, long-term savings, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
“Oakwood came back with a smart, scalable solution that gives us energy independence,” Steven explained.
Having already worked with Steven on a previous large-scale solar installation elsewhere on the farm, Oakwood Energy was well placed to deliver a bespoke solution. The result was a fully off-grid power system for the new build shed, combining a high-capacity roof-mounted solar array, a 330kWh battery storage system and a generator for backup.
“We needed a way to grow the business without being hamstrung by grid constraints,” said Steven. “Oakwood came back with a smart, scalable solution that gives us energy independence and long-term savings.”
Designed for more than just current needs, the S J Pace micro-grid’s oversized battery supports future energy demands and allows surplus solar power to be shared with other farm buildings. This increases efficiency while lowering overall operating costs.
“Our goal is to help farms control their energy using renewables and smart storage,” said John McGowan, Oakwood Energy’s Technical Director.
Since launching in May, the S J Pace micro-grid has provided reliable, self-sufficient power—demonstrating how solar and battery technology can solve real-world farm infrastructure challenges.
The Full story in Farmers Guide can be found here
