Case Study: P. Watson Jones, Shropshire

P. Watson Jones

188.7 kWp (444 solar panels) installed in Shropshire

Generations of farming

In the idyllic countryside of Shropshire stands P. Watson Jones — a leading broiler farming business with a proud heritage and a forward-thinking approach. Now in its fourth generation under Sam Watson Jones, the family has been farming in Shropshire since the 1940s, when Sam’s great-grandfather first purchased the land. Originally a mixed arable and livestock farm with a 150-cow dairy herd, the business pivoted in 2006 to focus on poultry, investing in six 30,000-bird broiler sheds and installing their first 99 kWp solar array around the same time. A further two 50,000-bird sheds were added in 2014, growing the farm into one of the region’s most efficient and respected poultry producers.

Analysing the farm

Committed to reducing their carbon footprint and long-term energy costs, the team at P. Watson Jones turned to NFU Energy to help take the next step in their sustainability journey and conduct an energy audit. When NFU Energy analysed the farm’s energy usage, they outlined the best opportunities to reduce costs and emissions. They found that, as P. Watson Jones has a large, clean, unused roof space and a noticeable lack of shading from nearby trees, the site would be a perfect fit for solar PV. As a trusted NFU Energy partner, Mypower was introduced to make this happen.

Designing a bespoke system

Working diligently with both parties, Mypower designed a 188.7 kWp solar PV system that would reduce P. Watson Jones’ grid unit price by 86%. The system is expected to generate 169,901 kWh of clean electricity per year; the majority of which is used directly on-site to power the farm’s energy-intensive operations, including heating, lighting and ventilation for the broiler sheds.

The system is already making a significant impact by reducing electricity bills, improving energy efficiency, and cutting carbon emissions. This switch to solar has cut the farm’s electricity unit cost down to just 4.56p per kWh and is set to deliver a return on investment in just 3.8 years. The environmental impact is equally impressive, with an estimated 35.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided annually.

By using solar energy to power their operations, P. Watson Jones has not only future-proofed their business against rising energy prices but also made a meaningful commitment to sustainable farming practices.

Key facts and predictions

188.7 kWp (444 panels) installed.
169,901 kWh units of energy produced per annum.
£31,881 projected first year income and savings.
26.2% projected first year return on capital invested, before capital allowance benefits.
4.56p/kWh - the equivalent forward purchase price of 3.9 million units of electricity over 25 years including estimated operating & maintenance costs.
3.8 years - system payback before finance, tax and capital allowance and grant benefit.
£1,291,229 - a 25-year income and savings after indexation.
85% saving from solar PV electricity compared to grid supplied electricity at 31p/kWh.
35.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided per annum.

“We’re always looking for ways to make the business more efficient and sustainable, and solar has proven to be a smart investment. With the rising cost of electricity, it made sense to look at how we could take greater control of our energy use —
not just for today, but for the long term. Mypower handled the installation smoothly from start to finish, keeping disruption to a minimum, and their team really understood the demands of a working farm. We’re already seeing the benefits in lower electricity bills, a reduced carbon footprint, and the reassurance that we’re generating clean energy on-site. It’s a decision that’s helping to secure the future of our business.”

Sam Watson Jones, Farm Owner of P. Watson Jones

“Farms like P. Watson Jones are a great example of how the agricultural sector can take advantage of renewable energy. By using solar power to meet the farm’s high daytime energy demand, they’re reducing costs, increasing resilience, and cutting carbon — all without compromising productivity. It’s been a pleasure to work with both the farm and NFU Energy on this project.”

Tom Sivil, Project Manager at Mypower