Six ways solar and batteries improve commercial asset performance
Across the commercial property sector, several pressures are converging: sustained high and unpredictable energy costs, tightening EPC (energy performance certificate) requirements, growing occupier expectations around sustainability and the ongoing challenge of maintaining asset value.
On-site solar, particularly when combined with battery storage, is emerging as a commercially viable way to address these pressures through a single, scalable solution.
At SSE Energy Solutions, we are seeing this shift first-hand. Working with our partner Ortus, for example, we’re enabling Amber Real Estate to deploy solar across 22 sites, totalling over 7.5MWp of installed capacity, including sites supporting the operations of Hook 2 Sisters, one of the UK’s largest poultry producers.
This approach is now being adopted across a broad range of other sectors too, including logistics, media, education and large-scale transport infrastructure, driven by compelling benefits.
1. Reducing exposure to energy price volatility
The ability to manage energy costs is a major driver. While prices have eased from recent peaks, they remain elevated and, more importantly, far less predictable. This volatility feeds directly into operating budgets and, in multi-let buildings, into service charges, creating uncertainty for landlords and occupiers and influencing leasing decisions.
The financial case for commercial solar is now well established. On-site generation provides electricity at a predictable, lower cost, supporting more consistent cost management and reducing exposure to price fluctuations.
In another project with Ortus, we’re rolling out rooftop solar across multiple distribution centres for Iceland Foods. Delivered through a fully funded power purchase agreement (PPA), this provides immediate cost savings without upfront investment
2. Reducing carbon emissions
On-site solar provides a direct and visible way for tenants to make progress towards net zero. By generating low-carbon electricity at the point of use, it reduces Scope 2 emissions, often delivering a measurable reduction in carbon footprint from day one.
Even for organisations not legally required to report emissions, this is increasingly important, as customer, investor and supply chain expectations drive the need to evidence progress, and emission performance becomes a routine part of procurement and commercial decision-making.
3. Supporting sustainability and brand goals
For prime and prestige assets, the focus often goes further. High-profile occupiers and investors are looking to demonstrate best practice, using visible sustainability measures to reinforce brand, attract talent and signal leadership.
This is reflected in many of the types of projects now being delivered, from large-scale installations at Sky Studios Elstree to campus-wide schemes at University of Surrey and Surrey Sports Park, where energy performance forms part of the overall occupier and visitor experience.
The same trend is evident in public infrastructure. Examples include a 3MWp solar farm at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, recently brought into operation – or Transport for London appointing SSE Energy Solutions to develop a combination of roof and ground-based solar feeding directly into the Tube’s power infrastructure through private wires.
4. Improving EPC performance and protecting asset value
EPC performance plays a role in commercial asset value, and solar can play a role here too.
Minimum standards already restrict the letting of the least efficient buildings, and tighter regulations are expected over the coming decade. For some portfolios, this creates a clear risk: assets that are compliant today may require intervention to remain lettable in future.
On-site solar supports improved EPC performance by reducing reliance on grid electricity, lowering both carbon intensity and modelled energy costs, two of the key drivers of EPC ratings. In practical terms, this can support movement between bands or help maintain compliance as standards tighten.
5. Enhancing performance through battery storage
Battery storage can maximise the value of on-site generation, further strengthening the case for solar. In many commercial environments, generation and demand don’t perfectly align, meaning excess energy is exported at low value while electricity is still imported at higher cost.
Battery systems address this by storing energy and using it when it is most valuable, helping reduce exposure to peak pricing and demand charges while increasing on-site use of renewable energy.
This not only improves financial performance but also supports further reductions in carbon emissions.
At the same time, batteries provide greater resilience and flexibility, enabling backup power during outages and unlocking additional value through services such as flexibility, trading and optimisation.
They can also make larger solar installations viable. For example, in a current project with Amber Real Estate, adding battery storage to a 24/7 site is enabling us to install a larger system by allowing daytime generation to be stored and used later.
6. Flexible delivery models supporting adoption
At the same time, flexible funding and delivery models are making solar and battery more accessible across a wider range of organisations. Through fully funded PPAs, clients can benefit from low-carbon electricity at a predictable price without any upfront investment, risk or balance sheet impact.
We also provide end-to-end delivery and operational support for organisations who prefer to take the Capex route, maximising long-term value through direct ownership.
Optimisation-as-a-service is yet another possibility: battery systems are paired with software-led platforms that enable energy to be flexed, traded and dynamically optimised in response to changing prices and demand, maximising value over time without adding operational complexity.
What this means for asset owners
Solar and battery systems are long-life assets, so sustained performance matters. SSE Energy Solutions takes a long-term approach, giving clients confidence that we’ll be there to ensure systems continue to deliver value throughout their lifecycle.
Our approach is flexible, allowing projects to be structured to suit different ownership models so that both landlords and tenants can benefit. In most cases, implementation can be carried out without disruption to tenants or day-to-day building operations, making it suitable for both existing assets and new developments.
Solar and batteries are no longer niche technologies, but practical tools for improving asset performance. As energy becomes a defining factor, how it is managed is increasingly part of what makes an asset competitive.
Start the conversation
Meet the SSE Energy Solutions team at UKREiiF to discuss how solar and battery could work for your portfolio, or explore our solar solutions online.