Hill Farm Solar & Battery Storage Case Study

Maximising Solar and Wind Performance with Intelligent Battery Storage

Enhancing energy independence and financial returns through integrated storage

Hill Farm in Cornwall demonstrates how existing renewable energy systems can be transformed through commercial battery storage. Through integrating AlphaESS technology with solar and wind generation, the site has moved from simple generation to a fully optimised, revenue-generating energy system. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are increasingly critical in agriculture, enabling farms to store excess renewable energy, lower reliance on the grid, and access new revenue streams.

This project shows how battery storage unlocks the full value of renewable generation, turning energy systems into controllable, revenue-generating assets.

DISCOVER THE PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Installer: Natural Generation Ltd

Supplier: Immersa Limited

Optimisation Partner: Gridimp

Client: Hill Farm, Cornwall

Sector: Agriculture, commercial energy user

System Specification:

Solar, wind and battery integration
AlphaESS Storion G3-H30 (72.3 kWh)
Existing Generation: 47.94 kWp solar PV and 11 kW wind turbine

Core Objectives:

Maximise on-site energy use
Reduce grid reliance
Achieve up to 86% reduction in annual energy costs

It has been a real joy to work with Immersa and AlphaESS for the installation at Hill Farm. Lewis, Peter, Oliver and the team are so helpful, always quick to pick up the phone or reply to an email, and the technical support is excellent. Having an AlphaESS engineer come to commission the system as standard means that we can trust that everything will run smoothly from day 1. We look forward to working with Immersa and AlphaESS on many more projects in the future!

Natural Generation Ltd

Optimising Solar and Wind Energy with Battery Storage at Hill Farm

Hill Farm had already invested in renewable energy through solar PV and a wind turbine. However, without energy storage, a significant proportion of generated energy was being exported to the grid rather than used on-site. To address this, AlphaESS UK collaborated with Immersa and installer Natural Generation Ltd to deliver a fully integrated battery solution that improves both operational performance and financial effectiveness.

Like many agricultural sites, Hill Farm operates with a variable and frequently unpredictable load profile. Although renewable generation was strong, the inability to store excess energy created several inefficiencies. Energy was frequently exported during periods of high generation and then re-imported during peak demand, increasing costs and lowering overall system effectiveness. The challenge was not simply to add storage, but to ensure it worked harmoniously with both solar and wind generation, while also maintaining long-term financial performance.

The AlphaESS UK Commercial Battery Storage Solution

The introduction of the AlphaESS G3-H30 battery system fundamentally changed how on-site energy is managed. Excess energy generated during the day is now captured and stored, ready to be deployed when demand increases or generation drops.

A key advantage of the system is its DC-coupled integration, which improves efficiency by cutting energy conversion losses and supports smoother grid connection approvals, often a major barrier in projects of this nature.
Beyond storage, the system is enhanced through integration with GridImp’s AI-driven software. This adds an intelligent layer of optimisation, allowing the system to learn usage patterns, respond to changing demand, and actively trade energy when market conditions are favourable.

In practical terms, this means the battery is no longer passive infrastructure; it becomes an active asset that contributes to both operational capability and revenue generation. The installation of the AlphaESS G3-H30 (72.3kWh) battery system enables Hill Farm to store and intelligently manage its renewable energy.

What does Gridimp offer:

Learns power usage patterns
Stores energy for peak load periods
Exports surplus energy at optimal times
Participates in grid services and flexibility markets.

C&I Battery Storage Commissioning & Delivery

A defining feature of this project was the involvement of AlphaESS UK engineers in the commissioning process. By taking responsibility for system commissioning, AlphaESS makes certain that every installation is fully validated, optimised, and operational from day one.

For Natural Generation Ltd, this approach reduces technical risk and removes the burden of complex system setup. For the client, it provides confidence that the system is performing exactly as intended, with warranties signed off directly by the manufacturer. During commissioning, both the installer and the client are onboarded to the Alpha Cloud platform, providing full visibility into system performance and enabling ongoing optimisation.

“The GridImp AI software is already proving its value… storing power when we need it and exporting at peak times, achieving better returns than our standard agreement.”

Hill Farm

The Power of Partnership

This project demonstrates the strength of AlphaESS UK’s partner ecosystem. Together, this joint strategy delivers a complete, future-ready energy solution.
AlphaESS UK: delivering advanced battery technology and commissioning.
Immersa: supporting system design and integration.
Natural Generation Ltd: providing a high-quality installation.
GridImp: enabling intelligent optimisation and revenue generation.

Performance & Results

Forecasted performance demonstrates the impact of integrating battery storage:

Up to 86% reduction in energy costs
£2,134 annual import savings
£748 annual revenue from grid services
£51,000 projected lifetime benefit.

Operationally, the system delivers:

Increased self-consumption of renewable energy
Lowered reliance on grid electricity
Enhanced energy resilience and backup capability
Improved control over energy usage and costs.

Annual Import Savings

2134

Reducing Reliance on the Grid

Why This Matters

Across the UK agricultural sector, many sites already have renewable generation in place. However, without storage, much of that energy potential is lost.

This project demonstrates that:

Battery storage is vital to maximising investment in renewables
Intelligent optimisation transforms systems into revenue assets
Integrated partnerships deliver better performance and outcomes
Energy resilience and cost control are now achievable at scale.

Helping Create Sustainable Energy Partnerships

AlphaESS UK partners with UK experts in commercial renewable energy design and installation, such as Immersa, who work with clients to convert renewable energy opportunities into sustainable, completed projects that deliver long-term benefits and cost savings. If you have a project you would like to discuss, please get in touch with our UK team.

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You can also click here to explore our installer network and use our enquiry form to start your journey.

RESOURCES

You can learn more about Immersa by visiting our Partner Spotlight

To explore the AlphaESS UK Commercial Battery Energy Storage System Range, click here

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