Solar energy for business

Many commercial and public buildings are excellent candidates from offices, factories and warehouses to retail centres, car parks, hospitals and leisure centres. A fully funded solar PPA can work for your business even when you rent the premises. The key factors are available space, good sunlight and steady daytime energy use.

Sites should be unshaded and roofs should be structurally sound. If your site meets these conditions, we can carry out a feasibility study to confirm the potential savings and performance.

In our experience, a well-designed rooftop or on-site solar PV system could typically supply up to 20–50% of annual electricity needs. The exact figure depends on roof size, orientation, shading and how well your energy use aligns with daylight hours.

In some cases, local maximum import capacity may also limit how large a system can be installed without grid upgrades. For larger behind-the-meter solar farms, a system can often meet a significant share of annual demand — up to 30–60% under typical UK conditions.

However, solar output naturally varies with the time of day and season, so real-time matching is not constant. The grid or on-site storage and complementary wind generation play a key balancing role.

With a fully funded Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), savings start immediately through a fixed electricity price often up to 50% below grid rates.

Under a CapEx model, systems typically pay back within 5–8 years, then provide free electricity for the rest of their lifespan.

Additionally, solar increases energy independence and reduces reliance on fossil fuel–based grid electricity, helping protect against price volatility. It also lowers Scope 2 carbon emissions and supports stronger ESG and sustainability performance.

If you opt for a PPA route, we’ll fully fund the project, so you can benefit from reduced electricity costs and carbon emissions without having to provide capital.

For self-funded projects, the cost varies by size and site. As a general guide, the capital investment could typically range from around £800–£900 per kWp (about £250,000) for a 300 kWp roof-mounted system, to around £500–£750 per kWp (about £2.5–£3.75 million) for a 5 MW ground-mounted installation, covering design through to commissioning. Costs may be higher where significant roof, ground works or grid upgrades are required.

The timeline includes both preparation and on-site installation. For most rooftop systems, the full process typically takes several months, although the physical installation on site is often completed from within a few days to two or three weeks, depending on system size and access.

Larger ground-mounted projects take longer overall; often up to 18 months from initial design through to commissioning, largely due to planning and grid connection requirements. The construction phase itself typically lasts around three to six months, depending on scale. In all cases, we ensure safety and clear communication throughout, while minimising disturbance to your operations.

Most rooftop and on-site solar installations fall under permitted development rights, so full planning permission is rarely needed if standard design rules are met. We manage all required checks and notifications to ensure compliance.

Larger ground-mounted systems usually need full planning permission, along with environmental and grid connection assessments, which our team handles from feasibility to operation

Absolutely. Solar PV performs best as part of an integrated energy system. Battery storage captures excess generation for later use, reducing grid imports.

Solar carports expand generation where roof space is limited and can include EV charging. We can also link your system to smart energy management platforms to track performance and optimise energy use.

Floating solar, or floating PV, is a solar system where panels are mounted on buoyant platforms that sit on bodies of water such as reservoirs, lakes or quarry sites. The electricity is transferred to the grid or directly to nearby facilities through underwater cables.

It’s a potential option for water utilities, industrial facilities or local authorities with limited land or roof space but with access to suitable water assets.

We can design and deliver floating solar, helping large users to move closer to net zero.

Solar PV systems are designed for long-term reliability and require very little day-to-day attention.

Under a fully funded PPA, we manage all maintenance and monitoring for the contract term, so you can enjoy the benefits without any operational burden or maintenance costs.

For CapEx customers, optional O&M packages provide remote monitoring, fault detection and scheduled maintenance, typically including inspections and cleaning to keep panels and electrical components operating efficiently.

If your site operates under a PPA, we can help transfer the solar-as-a-service agreement to the new owner or tenant, ensuring continuity of benefits.

For CapEx projects, the solar installation remains part of your property, enhancing its market value and sustainability credentials.