A new UK solar farm needs roughly 4 to 5 acres of land per megawatt (MW). So a 5MW site needs around 20 to 25 acres, and a 50MW site around 200 to 250 acres. Here’s what decides the real figure.
The quick numbers
| Solar farm size | Land needed (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1MW | 4 to 5 acres |
| 5MW | 20 to 25 acres |
| 10MW | 40 to 50 acres |
| 50MW | 200 to 250 acres |
- Older sites used more land, around 6 acres per MW. Panels are now more powerful, so each acre does more.
- The government uses 4 acres per MW as its working figure for new projects.
- Not every acre gets panels. Hedges, buffers, tracks, wildlife areas and the substation compound all take space.
What changes the figure
- Field shape. Long, simple fields fit more panels. Awkward corners and steep banks don’t.
- Slope and direction. Flat land or gentle south-facing slopes are best. North-facing slopes need wider gaps between rows.
- Buffers. Space is left next to houses, footpaths, hedges, streams and trees.
- Biodiversity net gain. New solar farms must leave wildlife at least 10% better off, so part of the site is often set aside for meadows and hedges.
- Flood zones and protected areas. Parts of a field may be ruled out.
What’s the smallest site worth doing?
It depends on the grid, not just the acres.
- Small sites (around 5 to 25 acres) can work for a 1 to 5MW scheme if there’s a good grid connection close by.
- Most developers look for 40 acres or more. Larger sites spread the fixed costs (grid, planning, surveys) further.
- Smaller plots can suit battery storage. A battery site often needs just a few acres. More on battery storage leases.
The grid matters more than the land
You can have the perfect field, but without a grid connection nearby there’s no project. Developers look first for:
- A substation or suitable power line within a few kilometres
- Spare capacity on the network, and a realistic connection date
We check this as part of our free land check. Read about grid connection dates.
Can you still farm it?
Often, yes. Sheep commonly graze between the panel rows, and the land returns to normal farming when the panels are removed at the end of the lease.
What we do
Send us your postcode and rough acreage. We’ll tell you, for free, whether your land could host a solar farm and roughly how big. Check your land for free →
Related: Solar farm rent per acre · What to check in a solar lease
Sources
- pv magazine: DESNZ land use figures, using 4 acres per MW for new projects
- Carbon Brief: is solar a threat to UK farmland?
- European Energy: typical solar site sizes
Facts last checked 25 October 2026. This is general guidance. Every site is different.