79.6 kW barn-roof solar offsetting 82% of electricity at a dairy farm in Osgoode, Ontario
82% annual electricity offset — the result of precise system sizing to actual farm consumption at a working dairy operation.
A high daytime load against a roof asset approaching the end of its replacement cycle.
Dairy farms operate with consistent, year-round electricity demand driven by milking systems, refrigeration, ventilation, and lighting. While overall electricity use is lower than large industrial facilities, reliability remains critical to daily operations and animal welfare.
At Tilecroft Farms, the objective was to significantly reduce reliance on grid electricity while maintaining stable farm operations. The system needed to be sized accurately to match the farm’s annual electrical consumption, ensuring high on-site solar utilisation without oversizing the installation.
Size to the service. Mount without penetrations.
A solar PV system was sized to the farm’s annual electricity consumption profile. System capacity and layout were selected to integrate seamlessly with existing electrical infrastructure.
Rather than maximising system size, the design focused on achieving a strong electricity offset relative to the farm’s actual annual usage. The result is a straightforward, low-maintenance solar installation that supports predictable energy costs and long-term operational stability. The system reached commercial operation on March 28, 2023.
The numbers, then the consequence.
- 0193,400 kWh of solar electricity generated annually.
- 0282.03% of the farm's annual electricity consumption offset by solar.
- 03System commissioned March 28, 2023.
Equivalent to removing 1 passenger vehicle from Ontario roads annually.
For the facilities and engineering audience.
The system consists of 79.6 kW DC (175 LONGi Solar modules) paired with 60 kW AC via Fronius inverters. Unirac racking was selected for long-term performance in agricultural environments.
The system integrates with existing farm electrical infrastructure and includes monitoring capability for ongoing performance visibility.
Facility characteristics that shaped the design.
- Dairy farm with consistent year-round electricity demand
- Electrical loads driven by milking, refrigeration, ventilation, and lighting
- Open-site conditions suitable for efficient solar deployment
- Annual load profile enabling high electricity offset with a compact system
What was installed.
Evaluating rooftop solar for a commercial or industrial facility? Understanding how solar aligns with your consumption profile and long-term objectives is the first step.
- ·Roof structural and shading review
- ·Annual production model
- ·Net-Metering interconnection check
- ·Incentive & financing stack
- ·Two-scenario capital plan
