Do I need batteries?
Not necessarily. Batteries are evaluated according to the timing of consumption, backup needs and the amount of photovoltaic energy that cannot be used directly during the day.
Solar PV for Milking Parlours – 15kW, 20kW & 30kW | Hellenic Energy
⚡ Hellenic Energy · Greece · Three-Phase Solar PV
Solar PV for Milking Parlours & Dairy Farms
Engineered 15kW, 20kW and 30kW three-phase photovoltaic systems for milk cooling, vacuum pumps, motors, hot water and the daily electrical loads of a professional dairy operation.
15kW Three-Phase20kW Three-Phase30kW Three-PhaseHybrid & Backup Options
Designed around real loadsMotor starting, simultaneous operation and three-phase balance are considered before equipment selection.
Built for daily operationThe system is sized around the actual consumption profile of the milking parlour, not only a nominal kW target.
Scalable architectureBattery storage, backup and load-management options can be added where they provide a clear operational benefit.
Engineering first
A milking parlour is a production facility, not a typical commercial load.
Vacuum pumps, milk cooling, water heating and three-phase motors create a load profile that needs proper electrical design before the photovoltaic system is specified.
Milk cooling
Cooling equipment often operates for long periods and must be treated as a priority operational load.
Pumps & motors
Three-phase motors can have high starting currents. Inverter power must be selected with startup behaviour in mind.
Hot water
Electric heaters can become one of the largest daily consumers. Smart daytime operation can improve direct solar self-consumption.
Continuous operation
Milking, washing, circulation and auxiliary loads may overlap. The design must account for realistic simultaneous demand.
Indicative system sizes
15kW, 20kW and 30kW three-phase solar PV solutions
The final system size depends on the electricity bill, connection capacity, load profile, available roof or ground area, cable distances, protections, storage and the selected operating strategy.
15kW Three-PhaseFrom €17,856incl. VAT · indicative
For small to medium dairy operations
- Milk cooling and essential three-phase loads
- Daily pumps and auxiliary equipment
- Suitable when consumption is moderate
- Final specification after load assessment
20kW Three-PhaseFrom €24,900incl. VAT · indicative
For higher daily demand
- More daytime generation for active loads
- Better coverage of hot-water demand
- Suitable for larger pumps and cooling loads
- Balanced three-phase design
30kW Three-PhaseFrom €34,900incl. VAT · indicative
For large milking parlours and livestock units
- High professional electricity consumption
- Multiple three-phase motors and pumps
- Higher daytime production potential
- Requires detailed engineering review
Key design priorities
The correct system is determined by how the farm actually operates.
Two farms with the same annual kWh can need different inverter power, storage and operating logic if their loads run at different times or start simultaneously.
Motor starting & three-phase balance
Vacuum pumps, circulation pumps and other motors can demand significantly more power during startup than during normal operation. We review motor ratings, starting method and simultaneous operation before defining inverter capacity and protections.
- Starting current and transient demand
- Phase balance
- Protection coordination
- Critical-load prioritisation
Hot water & load scheduling
A 6kW electric heater can consume a substantial amount of energy every day. Where practical, the heater can be scheduled to operate during strong photovoltaic production, increasing direct use of solar energy.
- Daytime hot-water heating
- Load-control options
- Higher direct self-consumption
- Reduced unnecessary grid draw
Operating architecture
Grid-connected, hybrid or backup — selected according to the farm’s needs
Battery storage is not automatically required. It is considered when evening consumption, backup requirements or increased self-consumption justify it technically and economically.
Net Billing
For farms focused primarily on reducing electricity costs through photovoltaic generation and energy settlement, subject to the applicable grid and regulatory requirements.
Hybrid with LiFePO4 storage
Useful where part of the solar production should be shifted to later hours or where greater energy independence is required. Depending on the project, professional platforms such as Victron or Deye can be paired with LiFePO4 storage such as Pytes V5.
Backup for critical loads
Where power interruptions would disrupt milking, cooling or essential pumps, a dedicated backup design can keep selected loads operational. Backup loads are defined separately from normal operation.
Our sizing process
From electricity bill to an engineered proposal
The objective is to define the right architecture before equipment is purchased.
1
Load inventory
We record pumps, motors, cooling, hot water, lighting and auxiliary equipment.
2
Consumption review
We analyse electricity bills, annual consumption and connection capacity.
3
Site constraints
We review available roof or ground area, orientation, shading, distances and electrical panels.
4
Technical proposal
We define PV power, inverter architecture, protections, storage if required and the installation scope.
Frequently asked questions
Before choosing 15kW, 20kW or 30kW
Can solar PV cover a 6kW hot-water heater?
It can contribute significantly when the heater operates during daylight hours and the system is sized appropriately. Smart scheduling may further improve direct solar use.
Is 15kW or 20kW better for my farm?
The correct size depends on the real load profile. A farm with larger cooling demand, hot water and overlapping motor loads may require more capacity than annual kWh alone suggests.
Can the system provide backup during a blackout?
Yes, with a suitable hybrid architecture and battery storage. Critical loads must be identified in advance so the backup system is designed for their real power and energy requirements.
Send us your electricity bill and main equipment list.
Hellenic Energy can assess whether a 15kW, 20kW or 30kW three-phase solution is the right starting point for your milking parlour or dairy farm.
Indicative prices are subject to technical confirmation, final equipment selection, installation conditions and applicable regulatory requirements.