Building a solar farm is quick: usually 3 to 9 months on site. Getting to that point takes much longer. From first look to switch-on is often 2 to 5 years, and the grid connection date is usually what sets the pace.
Typical timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Land check and grid check | A few weeks |
| Heads of terms and option agreement | 3 to 6 months |
| Surveys and planning application | 6 to 12 months |
| Council decision | 3 to 6 months (longer if it goes to appeal) |
| Grid connection | Can run alongside, but dates are often years away |
| Finance and contracts | 3 to 6 months |
| Construction | 3 to 9 months |
Many stages overlap. A good developer runs grid, surveys and planning side by side.
Stage by stage
- Screening. We check the land, the grid nearby and any planning risks. This is fast and free.
- Land deal. Heads of terms, then an option agreement. What to check before you sign.
- Surveys. Ecology, landscape, heritage, flood risk, glint and glare and more. Some ecology surveys can only be done at certain times of year, which can add months. Which surveys are needed.
- Planning. Solar farms up to 100MW now go to the local council. Councils aim to decide major applications within 13 weeks (16 if an environmental assessment is needed), but many take longer. Since 31 December 2025, only schemes over 100MW go through the national process.
- Grid connection. The application, offer and connection date. Under the new grid reforms, projects need to be ready to get a good place in the queue. Gate 2 grid offers explained.
- Ready to build (RTB). Planning, grid offer and land rights all in place. This is when most projects are sold or funded.
- Construction. Fencing and tracks, piling the frames, fitting panels, cabling, then the substation and connection.
- Switch-on. Testing with the network operator, then the solar farm starts exporting.
What slows projects down
- Grid dates. The biggest delay. Some offers are years away. Why a pre-2030 date matters.
- Survey seasons. Missing a survey window can cost a year.
- Planning objections or appeals.
- Land issues. Unclear titles, tenants or lenders who need to agree.
How we keep it moving
We run grid, planning and surveys together, with our own planner and software to track every site. That cuts the dead time between stages.
Got a site? Start a project or, if you’re a landowner, check your land for free →
Related: Development to RTB · Solar farm cost per MW
Sources
- Mills & Reeve: solar NSIP threshold raised to 100MW
- BayWa r.e.: solar development and construction times
- European Energy: solar project process
Facts last checked 25 October 2026. Timings are typical, not a promise. Every site is different.