🥚 A new dawn in power – How a Scottish Egg Farm is on their way to going fully Off‑Grid with Energy Monkey using Victron Energy & BSLBATT® ⚡🐔

Imagine a facility producing 150,000 eggs a day – around 62 million eggs every single year. Now imagine keeping that operation running 24/7, 365 days a year… without ever relying on the national grid.

This is the real story of a groundbreaking energy transformation at Elrig Eggs a large-scale free range egg farm nestled in the picturesque Scottish countryside. When the costs of electricity started spiralling and their setup became unsustainable, Energy Monkey stepped in with a vision: build an entirely off-grid, renewable-powered system capable of delivering seamless, round-the-clock energy to an industrial-scale operation.

This is how we did it.

🏭 The site – where sustainability meets scale

Set in the heart of rural Scotland, this farm doesn’t just operate at scale – it runs with precision and consistency. With three extra-large hen houses on-site, each spaced 400 metres apart for biosecurity reasons, this is a high-output, high-responsibility operation. It never sleeps.

Each hen house plays a vital role in maintaining the flow of 150,000 eggs per day. And as you might expect, keeping that kind of machinery and lighting running smoothly, ventilating the barns, powering conveyor belts, egg graders, refrigeration, and computer-controlled feeding systems… it all demands serious energy.

💸 Understanding the challenges – A deep dive into the farm’s energy needs

Before even considering a solution, our first step was to thoroughly understand the intricate energy demands of the farm. This wasn’t just about the headline figure of 150,000 eggs a day; it was about dissecting every aspect of their 24/7 operation to pinpoint exactly where and when energy was being consumed.

The fact that the farm operated continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, meant there were no significant periods of low energy demand. This constant draw highlighted the need for a robust and reliable power solution capable of meeting these consistent requirements.

Furthermore, the geographical separation of the three hen houses (400 meters apart) presented a unique challenge in terms of the communication between all of the different inverters. The buildings were equipped with 350 kWp of existing solar which was installed by another company. Unbeknown to the customer this was way beyond what the site was allowed to export to the grid. With only a 30kW export limit in place, the farm was faced with a penalty, driving electricity costs up to a staggering £1 per kWh.

Monthly bills were hitting over £30,000 a figure that threatened the very sustainability of their business. And worse still, the farm had little control or predictability when it came to its energy costs.

The presence of the existing 6 x 20kVA Fronius Symo Solar inverters on one of the hen houses was also a crucial factor in our initial assessment. While the export limitations hindered their full potential, these inverters represented a significant existing renewable energy asset that ideally needed to be integrated into the new off-grid system.

The existing solar infrastructure was a valuable starting point, but the limitations and high energy costs necessitated a comprehensive and innovative solution.

An unforeseen constraint on the initial project had now turned this green investment into a financial burden.

That’s when the farm’s owner Stewart Gerrish reached out to us at Energy Monkey.

🔧 The Solution – Going 100% Off‑Grid in two stages

The customer came to us with one clear objective –

“We want to completely disconnect from the mains.”

For many, that’s a daunting request. For us? It’s what we thrive on. At Energy Monkey, challenges like these aren’t just accepted – they’re embraced.

From the first consultation, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a simple solution. It would require detailed planning, load profiling, extensive system calculations, and future-proofing at every level. We worked closely with the customer to understand their energy usage patterns, peak loads, and operational demands across all three of their large hen houses.

The customer was already in the process of building a purpose-built control building on-site to serve as the central hub for all critical power infrastructure. Not only did this provide a secure, weatherproof space for the system hardware, but it also created an organised, serviceable, and future-ready environment to allow for expansion and maintenance down the line.

Inside that building is where the magic would happen – a fully independent, off-grid energy system designed by Energy Monkey, engineered for resilience, and powered by best-in-class components from Victron Energy and BSLBATT. It’s smart, it’s scalable, and above all – it’s tailored entirely to the unique demands of this egg farm.

This wasn’t just a system install. It was a complete transformation – a strategic move toward long-term energy independence.

⚙️ Stage One – The System in Numbers – Behind the Build

To bring the vision of a fully off-grid egg farm to life, we had to deliver more than just energy storage – we needed a solution that would provide dependable, scalable, and intelligent power 24/7, all year round. Here’s a deeper look at the major components that make up this powerful off-grid system.

🔌 9 x Victron Energy Quattro 48/15000/200-100 230V

Given the presence of the 6 x 20kVA Fronius solar inverters on one of the hen houses (totaling 120kVA), and the need to accommodate this existing capacity on the output side, we specified a powerful and flexible inverter system. Our solution centered around 9 x 15kVA Victron Quattro inverters, providing a total capacity of 135kVA in a three-phase (3P) configuration.

The Victron Quattro is a sophisticated piece of equipment that combines the functions of a sine wave inverter, a multi-stage battery charger, and a high-speed AC transfer switch. This integration is crucial for an off-grid system, allowing for seamless transitions between different power sources (solar, wind, generator, and battery). The parallel and three-phase capabilities of the Quattro also provided the scalability and redundancy needed for this large-scale application.

🔋 40 x BSLBATT® 51.2V 300Ah Lithium Batteries

To achieve true off-grid capability and ensure a stable power supply during periods of low renewable energy generation (e.g., nighttime or cloudy days), a substantial battery storage system was essential. We specified 40x BSL 51.2V 300Ah lithium-ion phosphate batteries (LiFePO4), providing a massive total storage capacity of 614kWh.

LiFePO4 batteries were chosen for their high energy density, long cycle life, and efficient charging and discharging characteristics. This large battery bank would act as a buffer, storing excess energy generated by the solar panels and wind turbines and releasing it when needed to power the farm’s operations. The 614kWh capacity was carefully calculated based on the farm’s average daily energy consumption and the desired level of autonomy.

🌬️ 2 x 15kVA Wind Turbines

Recognising the seasonal variations in solar energy production, particularly during the shorter and often cloudier winter months in Scotland, the customer had 2 x 15kW wind turbines. These turbines would complement the solar PV system, providing a valuable source of renewable energy, especially during periods when solar generation might be lower.

The strategic placement of these wind turbines was carefully considered to maximise their energy capture, taking into account prevailing wind patterns and potential obstructions. Integrating wind power into the system further enhances the farm’s energy independence and reduces its reliance on the backup generator during the winter months.

Backup power – The unwavering safety net

While the goal was to maximise reliance on renewable energy, a reliable backup power source was crucial to ensure business continuity in the event of prolonged periods of low solar and wind generation or unforeseen circumstances.

🛠️ 1 x 115kVA Diesel Backup Generator

We work closely with Gale Power Systems Ltd and together we integrated a 115kVA generator into the system.

The Victron Quattro inverters are designed to seamlessly integrate with most generators. They can automatically start and stop the generator using a two wire auto start based on battery state of charge and load demand, ensuring that power is always available when needed. This backup generator provides peace of mind and a critical layer of redundancy for the farm’s 24/7 operations. It also has full telematics allowing the generator engineer to see live data on a mobile device whilst being in other parts of the country and allowing him to mitigate any issues the generator may come across.

• 🧠 Smart integration and control
  At the heart of this off-grid system lies a sophisticated control and monitoring system. The system features the Victron Cerbo GX, the smart communications hub that links all Victron components. Paired with the GX Touch 50 display. It would optimise battery charging and discharging, automatically start and stop the generator when necessary, and provide real-time data on system performance. Remote monitoring capabilities would also allow for proactive maintenance and troubleshooting.
• 📡 Victron Remote Management (VRM)
  We didn’t stop at local control. Through Victron’s cloud-based VRM portal, both our technical team and the customer can remotely monitor the system 24/7. This includes live performance data, historic reports, alert notifications, and even remote firmware updates. Whether you’re in the middle of Edinburgh or on a beach in Spain, you can check in on your power system in real-time, make configuration changes or flag issues before they become problems.

🧑‍🌾 Real results – The farm that powers itself

With the successful installation and commissioning of the off-grid power system in stage one, the Farm embarked on a new era of energy independence. The transition from grid-tied with crippling export limitations to a fully autonomous power system brought about a multitude of benefits.

Elimination of sky-high electricity bills –

The most immediate and significant impact was the dramatic reduction, and eventual elimination, of the monthly electricity bills that had previously plagued the farm. The reliance on self-generated renewable energy from solar and wind, coupled with efficient battery storage, meant that the farm was no longer subject to the volatile prices of the national grid. The savings of over £30,000 per month represented a substantial boost to the farm’s profitability and long-term financial stability.

Energy independence and security –

Going off-grid provided the Farm with a significant degree of energy independence and security. They were no longer vulnerable to power outages or fluctuations in the national grid. Their power supply was now under their direct control, generated and managed on-site. This was particularly crucial for a 24/7 operation where any interruption to power could have significant consequences for the welfare of the birds and the continuity of egg production.

Harnessing abundant renewable resources –

The integration of both solar PV and wind turbines allowed the farm to harness the abundant renewable energy resources available in the Scottish landscape. The solar panels maximised energy capture during daylight hours, while the wind turbines provided a valuable source of power, particularly during the longer nights and potentially cloudier days of winter. This hybrid approach ensured a more consistent and reliable supply of renewable energy throughout the year.

Optimising existing solar investment –

The new off-grid system effectively unlocked the full potential of the farm’s existing 450kW solar PV installation. Without the restrictive 30kW export limit, all the generated solar energy could now be utilised on-site, either directly powering the farm’s operations or charging the battery bank for later use. This transformed the initial PV investment from a partial solution into a cornerstone of their energy independence.

Reduced carbon footprint –

By transitioning to a predominantly renewable energy-powered system, the egg Farm significantly reduced its carbon footprint. This not only aligned with growing environmental concerns but also enhanced the farm’s sustainability credentials, which could be a valuable asset in attracting environmentally conscious consumers.

Enhanced resilience and reliability –

The combination of a robust battery storage system and a backup generator provided a high level of resilience and reliability. The batteries ensured a stable power supply even during periods of low renewable generation, while the generator offered a safety net for extended periods of unfavorable weather. The intelligent control system managed the transitions between these power sources seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted operation.

Stage Two underway

Stage two of the project is now underway with the construction of a second, independent system housed in the newly built power house. This phase is designed to link sheds two and three into a single, robust energy network. At the heart of this new system will be 12 x Victron Quattro 48/15000/200-100/100 230V VE.Bus inverter-chargers, delivering a combined inverter capacity of 180kVA. These will be supported by an additional bank of 40 x BSLBATT 51.2V 300Ah lithium batteries, adding a further 614kWh of storage. Once complete, the total system across the entire site will boast an impressive 315kVA of inverter power and a massive 1.2MWh of scalable, high-performance battery storage — ensuring resilient, efficient off-grid operation for this demanding agricultural application.

A Showcase of innovation –

The successful implementation of this ambitious off-grid project positioned the Farm as a leader in sustainable agriculture and a showcase of innovative energy solutions within the farming community. Their journey from crippling energy bills to complete self-sufficiency could serve as an inspiration for other energy-intensive businesses seeking greater control over their energy future. And most importantly – it’s supported. At Energy Monkey, we go far beyond supplying components in boxes. We become your energy partner. From the very first consultation through to design, installation support, and post-commissioning care, we’re right beside you. We provide detailed technical drawings, custom-tailored system configurations, Victron remote programming, and expert support that doesn’t end when the sale is complete.

With a partner like Energy Monkey, you’re not just investing in energy hardware – you’re investing in peace of mind, future resilience, and a trusted relationship built on knowledge, service and a commitment to helping you thrive.

💬 Thinking about your own Off‑Grid setup?

If you’re in a similar position – whether it’s farming, food production, manufacturing, or even a remote hospitality setup – we’d love to talk.

At Energy Monkey, we design Victron-based systems with your specific needs in mind. From small off-grid cabins to full-scale industrial operations, we’ve got the experience, products and support to power your world.