UK commercial electricity costs 25-35p per kWh. Solar generates at 3-5p per kWh over 25 years. With 0% VAT, 100% Annual Investment Allowance, and business rates exemption through 2035, there has never been a better time for businesses to switch to solar.
Commercial electricity prices have risen 67% since 2021. Businesses that don't act now face years of volatile, rising energy costs.
Solar slashes your electricity bill from day one. Most businesses see 40-70% reductions in energy costs, with surplus power earning income through the Smart Export Guarantee.
The UK government offers some of the most generous tax incentives in Europe for business solar. Combined, these can reduce the effective cost of your system by 25-40%.
Solar isn't just about savings. It's becoming a business requirement. MEES regulations, net zero targets, and supply chain sustainability demands make solar a strategic investment.
Every business type has unique energy demands. We design bespoke systems that maximise self-consumption and return on investment for your specific sector.
High-consumption manufacturing facilities. 100-1MW+ systems with zero production disruption installation.
Large flat roofs ideal for solar. Typical 50-250kW systems with excellent self-consumption ratios.
24/7 energy demand means high self-consumption. Combine with battery storage for maximum savings.
Salix funding and DfE grants available. Perfect daytime load profile matches solar generation.
Critical infrastructure with 24/7 base load. Solar with battery provides resilience and massive savings.
High energy demand from refrigeration and cooking. Solar offsets the biggest operational cost.
Solar canopies generate power while sheltering vehicles. Pair with EV charging for additional revenue.
Agricultural buildings and barns are perfect for solar. Offset irrigation, cold storage, and processing costs.
Transparent pricing with no hidden costs. All prices exclude VAT (currently 0% for solar). Includes full installation, MCS certification, and DNO registration.
| Business Type | System Size | Cost per kWp | Total Cost | Annual Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Office / Retail | 10-30 kWp | £950-£1,100 | £8,000-£33,000 | £2,000-£7,000 | 4-5 years |
| Medium Office / Showroom | 30-75 kWp | £850-£1,000 | £25,000-£75,000 | £7,000-£18,000 | 3-5 years |
| Warehouse / Distribution | 75-250 kWp | £750-£900 | £56,000-£225,000 | £15,000-£50,000 | 3-5 years |
| Factory / Industrial | 100-500 kWp | £700-£900 | £70,000-£450,000 | £25,000-£120,000 | 3-4 years |
| Large Commercial / Multi-Site | 500 kWp - 1MW+ | £650-£800 | £325,000-£800,000+ | £80,000-£300,000+ | 2.5-4 years |
Prices exclude VAT (currently 0%). Payback calculations include AIA tax relief. Actual costs vary based on site conditions, roof type, and electrical infrastructure. Includes installation, MCS certification, scaffolding, and DNO application.
Every business is different. We offer multiple financing routes to make solar accessible regardless of your capital position.
Pay upfront and own outright. Highest returns with full tax benefits including 100% AIA deduction in year one.
Provider installs and owns the panels. You buy electricity at 15-30% below grid rates with no capital outlay.
Spread the cost over 5-10 years. Energy savings typically exceed monthly payments from month one.
Various government and local authority grants can cover 30-60% of installation costs for eligible businesses.
From initial survey to generating power — typically 8-14 weeks. Minimal disruption to your business operations.
We analyse your electricity bills, roof space, and energy consumption patterns. You receive a detailed proposal within 48 hours showing expected costs, savings, and ROI.
Week 1Our engineers assess your roof structure, electrical infrastructure, and shading. We design a system optimised for maximum self-consumption using your specific load profile.
Weeks 2-3We handle the entire grid connection application with your Distribution Network Operator. For systems under 16A per phase, this is a simple notification. Larger systems require G99 approval.
Weeks 4-8Our MCS-certified installation team works around your business hours. Most commercial systems are installed in 2-7 days depending on size. We schedule around your operations to minimise disruption.
2-7 DaysSystem is tested, commissioned, and registered with MCS. You receive all certificates needed for warranty, insurance, and Smart Export Guarantee registration.
1 DayReal-time monitoring portal shows live generation, savings, and carbon reduction. We provide ongoing support, maintenance packages, and performance guarantees for complete peace of mind.
OngoingTotal timeline: 8-14 weeks from contract to generating power
Start Your Free AssessmentSolar panels alone typically achieve 30-50% self-consumption for office-hours businesses. Adding battery storage pushes this to 80-95%, dramatically increasing your savings and energy independence.
Capture excess solar generation during the day and use it during peak-rate evening hours. Eliminates expensive grid imports when your solar isn't generating.
Reduce your maximum import demand (Triad charges and DUoS red band rates) by discharging batteries during peak periods. This can save thousands per year on capacity charges alone.
Protect critical operations during grid outages. Batteries provide seamless backup power for essential systems, reducing business continuity risk.
Verified installations across the UK — from small offices to large industrial facilities.
"The installation was completed over a weekend so there was zero disruption to our staff. We're saving over £400 a month and our EPC jumped from D to B."
— Managing Partner, Birmingham
"Our 5,000m² flat roof was perfect for solar. The team installed 280 panels in just 4 days. We've reduced our grid dependence by 65% and our carbon footprint by 25 tonnes per year."
— Operations Director, Leeds
"Energy was our second biggest cost after materials. The AIA tax relief meant we effectively recovered 25% of the cost in year one. After 3 years it's pure profit. Should have done it years ago."
— MD, Coventry
"As a 24/7 operation, battery storage was essential. We now use 90% of what we generate. Our guests love that we're sustainable — it's become a selling point in our marketing."
— Hotel Owner, Cheltenham
"Salix funding covered 40% of the cost. The live monitoring display in our reception has become an educational tool for students learning about renewable energy. Saving nearly £19k a year on a tight budget is transformative."
— Business Manager, Southampton
"We rolled out solar across all four sites. The centralised monitoring means we can track every site from one dashboard. Our customers actively choose us because of our green credentials."
— Group Director, Norwich
We only install Tier 1 equipment from manufacturers with proven track records and bankable warranties.
Get an instant estimate of costs, savings, and payback for your business.
Estimates based on average UK irradiance and current electricity rates. Actual results vary based on location, orientation, shading, and consumption patterns. Get an exact quote with our free site survey.
Everything you need to know about commercial solar for your business.
Commercial solar panels typically cost £750-£1,100 per kWp installed, depending on system size and complexity. Larger systems benefit from economies of scale:
With 0% VAT and 100% Annual Investment Allowance, the effective cost is significantly reduced. Most businesses see a 3-5 year payback, after which electricity is essentially free for 20+ years.
Yes, through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). A solar provider installs panels on your roof at zero upfront cost, and you buy the electricity at 15-30% below grid rates over a 15-25 year agreement.
You don't own the panels, but you benefit from cheaper energy immediately with no capital expenditure. The provider handles all maintenance and monitoring.
Some government grants also cover 30-60% of installation costs for eligible businesses. We'll assess your eligibility during your free site survey.
UK businesses benefit from an exceptionally generous set of tax incentives for solar:
Important: Solar panels qualify as special rate assets under AIA/FYA, not full expensing. Consult your accountant for specific advice on your tax position.
From initial survey to generating power typically takes 8-14 weeks. The breakdown:
The physical installation itself is typically just 2-7 days. The longest phase is usually the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) application, which can take 4-8 weeks for systems requiring G99 approval (typically over 16A per phase or 3.68kW single phase).
Flat roofs are actually ideal for commercial solar. Ballasted mounting systems (like K2 D-Dome) position panels at the optimal 15-35 degree tilt without penetrating the roof membrane. This means:
Your roof must support the additional load (typically 12-15 kg/m² for ballasted systems). We conduct a structural survey to confirm suitability before any installation proceeds.
Most commercial rooftop solar installations fall under permitted development and don't require planning permission, provided:
Planning applications are needed for: Listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, national parks, or AONBs. Ground-mounted systems over 9m² also require planning permission.
We handle all planning requirements as part of our service — included in the price, not an extra.
Typical electricity bill reductions range from 40-70%, depending on your consumption patterns and system size:
Savings are highest for businesses with daytime energy consumption that matches solar generation. Adding battery storage increases self-consumption from 30-50% to 80-95%, maximising savings for businesses with evening/overnight operations.
Over a 25-year system lifespan, a typical 50kW business system saves £250,000-£450,000 in electricity costs.
Every installation is carried out by MCS-certified engineers with full industry accreditations.
Get a free, no-obligation energy assessment tailored to your business. Our MCS-certified team will analyse your energy usage, roof suitability, and provide a detailed proposal with exact costs and projected savings.
We work with a network of MCS-certified installation partners across the UK: