As solar farms continue to grow in popularity across the UK, many are integrated with agricultural land, allowing sheep to graze around the installations. While this helps maintain vegetation naturally, it also presents potential safety risks, particularly from exposed metal edges on solar panel structures.
To protect livestock from injury, many solar farm operators are using edging strip to cover these sharp edges, ensuring a safer environment for both animals and farmworkers.
Solar panel frames, brackets, and mounting systems often have sharp, exposed metal edges that can pose risks to grazing animals. Sheep commonly rub against these structures, making it essential to reduce any potential hazards.
By applying high-quality edging strip, solar farms can:
✔ Prevent injuries – Minimises the risk of cuts and abrasions for livestock.
✔ Improve durability – Protects the solar panel framework from weathering and damage.
✔ Simplify maintenance – Provides a long-lasting solution that requires minimal upkeep.
✔ Support sustainable farming – Ensures the coexistence of renewable energy and agriculture.
At Sinclair & Rush, we supply durable and flexible edging strips designed to fit a variety of solar panel structures. Our products are made from high-quality materials, ensuring weather resistance, easy installation, and long-term performance.
Available in different sizes and profiles, our edging strips are ideal for solar farm applications, providing a cost-effective and efficient way to enhance safety.
Sheep grazing within solar farms offers benefits such as natural vegetation control and improved soil health, making it a sustainable land management solution. However, ensuring a safe environment is crucial.
By installing protective edging strips, solar farm operators can safeguard animals while maintaining efficient energy production. This simple addition enhances both animal welfare and the longevity of solar installations.
How popular is Solar Panel installation in the UK?
The United Kingdom has been actively expanding its solar energy capacity, with a notable portion of this growth occurring on agricultural land. As of January 2025, the UK's total solar capacity reached 15.7 gigawatts (GW), distributed across approximately 1.45 million installations, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year. ecohappy.co.uk+1theecoexperts.co.uk+1
-
Prevalence of Solar Farms: The UK currently hosts around 1,000 to 1,336 solar farms, many of which are situated on agricultural land. heatable.co.uk
-
Land Use Projections: To meet its net-zero goals, England plans to allocate approximately 10% of its farmland to solar panels, forests, and nature reserves by 2050. thetimes.co.uk
-
Large-Scale Projects: Significant solar projects, such as the proposed 2,800-acre Cottam solar project in Lincolnshire, exemplify the trend of utilizing farmland for substantial solar installations. thetimes.co.uk
These developments underscore the UK's strategic integration of solar energy projects within agricultural settings, contributing to the nation's renewable energy objectives.
Why choose Sinclair & Rush for your Edging Strip?
With a reputation for high-quality protective solutions, Sinclair & Rush supports solar energy projects across the UK. Our edging strip range is trusted for its versatility, reliability, and ease of application, making it the ideal choice for solar farm installations.
To explore the full range of Edging Strip with us, head HERE
