Although agriculture, forestry and fishing account for less than 2% of the GDP of Wales, they all play a vitally important role in the welfare of the nation and supporting many jobs.

Therefore regarding the whole of Wales and its environment, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales, and Trefnydd, and Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, have a golden opportunity in strongly suggesting to the Welsh parliament that struggling Welsh farmers and their families should be offered a free installation of environmentally friendly solar panels on farm roofs and outbuildings.

This would be a win-win opportunity for the Welsh Government, the farming community, the environment, reducing atmospheric pollution, with a significant reduction in fossil fuel generation demand from the grid, and the need for less pylon routes – indeed a win for all the people of Wales and its visitors – no more unsightly and ground-robbing large solar farms!

The suggestion for free installation is not as preposterous or contentious as it appears on face value. I believe there are about 25,000 farms in Wales and if the capital cost of each installation amounted to £10,000 that would total £250 million for all the farms – quarter the cost of the 2GW CCGT Pembrokeshire power station – but, of course, with competitive tendering the cost for the solar panel systems would be greatly reduced, as any competent business manager will tell you.

It is a proven fact that a £6,000 (maybe less) domestic 4kW roof-fitted system can easily generate 4,000kWh per year in Wales.

Thus if all this energy is used at site (none exported back to the Grid) a domestic installation that pays 30 pence per unit for mains electricity will save £1,200 per year, thus with 25,000 similar roof-fitted systems then £30 million per year would be saved each year.

Additionally, 100GWh of electricity each year would not be needed from the predominantly fossil-fuel National Grid each year, thus a saving in CO2 emissions with less demand from the grid. For those not familiar with electrical terms 100GWh is 100,000,000 kWh, that is, 100 million units of electricity.

Farm outbuildings can easily accommodate 8kW fitted capacity, and as such will offer a saving of £60 million per year on mains electricity charges if all the energy is used on site – assuming a 30p charge per mains unit.

Over five years that would amount to £300 million. The total capital cost of a Welsh farming solar systems of 8kW capacity would be of the order of £125 million, thus the capital cost would be realised in just over two years – this is a conservative assessment as farm outbuildings have greater generation potential – and what price future mains electricity unit charge?

There is a further ‘cherry on the cake’ as farmers with solar panels fitted can sign up to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This also offers the option that any money earned through the SEG is paid to the Welsh Government until the capital cost of installation is recovered.

Should Mark Drakeford and his disciples shudder at the thought of free solar energy for Welsh farms then the capital cost can be recovered earlier by charging each installation a small yearly fee until each system pays for itself – noting that if farms were offered a free solar panel and battery installation, then all the energy generated would be used by the farm.

If you agree with the suggestion, dear reader, then please write in with your support, not forgetting to lobby your local Assembly Member and politician.

Dave Haskell

Brithdir

Cardigan