- Installing solar panels for your business will cut your energy costs
- Solar panels will have a positive impact on your ESG score
- The maintenance costs for commercial solar panels are very low
The UK business energy market is worth a combined £106 million for gas and electricity, as of 2024, which is a 72.3% increase from 2012, when it was just over £61 million.
With energy costs so high, many businesses are benefiting from solar energy. While the cost of solar panels for businesses has increased in recent years, the long term benefits far outweigh the initial outlay:
- You can cut your energy bills by roughly £5,000 per year.
- You’ll break even on solar panels in 14 and a half years on average. After this point, everything you make is pure profit.
- Commercial solar panels help companies meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements.
- Solar panels can make your business more appealing to customers actively choosing companies with better sustainability practices.
- You can sell excess electricity generated back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
Installing solar panels can help you reduce overheads and monthly energy bills, increase profits, and improve the competitiveness of your business. It will also help reduce your business’ environmental impact.
In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about commercial solar panels and how they can help your business – however big or small.
Ready to get commercial solar panels for your business? Fill in our simple form with a few details, and our trusted installers will contact you with obligation-free quotes for you to compare.
Does my business need solar panels?
Yes, if you’re hoping to reduce energy bills, increase profit margin, and make your business more appealing to potential customers, you should definitely consider commercial solar panels.
On average, a medium-sized commercial solar panel array of 30 kilowatt peak (kWp) will cut your electricity bills by £5,000 per year. Kilowatt peak is the peak potential kilowatt output of a solar panel under perfect conditions.
By default this means your profit margins will increase, and once you’ve hit the average break-even point of 14.55 years for your solar panels, it’ll be pure profit after that. And, you can sell excess electricity back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). It’s not a huge amount (most SEG tariffs pay between 3.5p and 15p per kilowatt hour), but it’s still free money – what’s not to like?
Most businesses operate during the day too, so it makes financial sense to switch to solar energy. Even if you operate at night, combining solar panels with solar batteries means you could continue powering your business after dark.
From an emissions perspective, the average medium-sized business will see an annual CO2 reduction of 9.9 tonnes, and 5.8 tonnes for small businesses. Considering the 15 tonnes of CO2 typically released by SMEs each year, getting solar panels can be a hugely effective step in reducing your business’ carbon emissions.
Solar panels should be the go-to energy micro-generating solution for businesses across the UK. Not only do they help businesses save money on energy costs, but as sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor in customers choosing companies, powering your business with solar panels is a great indicator of this.
More businesses will make the switch to solar power as renewable energy takes up a greater share of the UK’s energy supply. Get ahead of the curve and use solar panels to power your business.
The maintenance costs for commercial solar panels are low as well. Keep the panels clear and free of debris and they’ll continue to generate clean electricity for 25-40 years.
- Lower energy bills
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Increased ESG score
- Greater energy independence
- Opportunity to profit via the SEG
- Potentially boosts the value of commercial property
- Can take years to recoup costs
- Takes a lot of roof space, so not viable for every business
- A smart meter is necessary to profit from exported electricity
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before investing in commercial solar panels:
- Are my energy bills too high?
- Can I afford the upfront costs?
- Could I lease a solar panel system?
- Is a Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) right for my business?
- Will going green benefit my business’ public image?
You can find out more about the cost of your energy by looking at your latest utility bill. This will give you an idea of how much energy you’re using and what you’re being charged per kilowatt (kW).
From there, research the costs of a commercial solar panel system. Each supplier will have their own pricing structure, so it’s worth reaching out to at least five different companies for a quote. Read TrustPilot customer reviews to gain a better understanding of their customer service levels, maintenance, and reliability. These companies will also be able to provide you with more information on leasing solar panels and whether they offer a PPA.
To determine if solar panels will improve the image of your business, think about your audience or customers. Is sustainability important to them? Are they asking you about sustainable options? Talk to your audience or customers, whether in person, email, or on social media to help with this.
How much do commercial solar panels cost?
According to the MCS, the average cost of a commercial solar panel installation so far in 2025 was £5,763, or £1,312 per kW. Obviously this covers a variety of installations so is only a rough guide.
Small to medium-sized businesses can expect to spend between £16,000 and £70,000 for commercial panels.
This figure will fluctuate, however, as commercial solar panel systems get larger, they become more complex and expensive to install.
That said, the more power you are able to generate through your solar panel system, the quicker you’ll see the benefits and break even on your investment.
The price you’ll spend will also depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your roof space, your business’ needs, as well as the amount of energy you consume throughout the year. For example, if your business is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, solar panels will likely be more expensive compared to a business that only operates 10-12 hours a day.
Below is a table showing different sizes for commercial solar panel systems, with typical costs included as well.
System size in kilowatt peak | Average cost (including VAT) | Average number of panels |
|---|---|---|
10 kWp | £12,780 | 30 |
25 kWp | £31,950 | 75 |
50 kWp | £63,900 | 150 |
100 kWp | £127,800 | 300 |
The average medium-sized business in the UK uses around 25,000 kWh to 55,000 kWh of electricity per year at a unit price per kWh of 276p.
For small businesses, it’s 15,000 kWh to 25,000 kWh and 24.9p per kWh, while large businesses will use more than 55,000 kWh on average, and pay 27.8p per kWh.
How many solar panels will your business need?
The average medium-sized business would need 142 solar panels to meet the typical 37,500 kWh consumed annually. This would take up roughly 284sq metres of roof space.
Small businesses should aim for around 84 solar panels, as they consume an average of 22,500 kWh each year. A system this size would use approximately 168sq metres of roof space.
Commercial solar panels are typically more powerful (400W-700W) than the solar panels used for domestic purposes (250W-400W), averaging 195cm x 99cm in size, compared to 167cm x 101cm for residential panels.
The precise scale of your commercial solar panel installation will depend on how big your business is. Simply put, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) won’t need as big a system as a huge office block.
It also depends on the nature of your business. A law firm won’t use as much power as an industrial facility, so even if both buildings are the same size, the amount of solar power needed will be different.
You can start roughly calculating what size solar system you might need by working out the following:
- Your electricity consumption
- The local sunlight yield (i.e. daylight hours)
- The size of your roof
Your electricity consumption can be determined through your energy supplier or on a utility bill, while you can find out your local daylight hours through the Greenwich Meantime website.
When will your business break even on solar panels?
The average time to break even on solar panels is 14.55 years, regardless of the system’s size. It will almost certainly be quicker for businesses however, because most businesses operate during the day, which means they can take better advantage of the free electricity.
Homes with solar panels typically won’t be using the free electricity generated during the sun’s peak intensity, which makes the break-even point longer than it would for businesses.
As mentioned, selling excess electricity back to the grid via the SEG will mean that you are able to break even faster.
How much do commercial solar panels cost to maintain?
The maintenance costs for commercial solar panels are usually very low. Once installed, they’ll need to be examined by a professional every four to six years.
Aside from this, your solar panel system will only require regular light cleaning to remove dust and debris to ensure maximum efficiency. Depending on where they’re located, this may require a professional cleaner.
Fortunately, commercial solar panels require little maintenance in the winter, as the UK’s deserved reputation for rain keeps the panels clean. In the drier summer months, however, more regular cleaning is required.
Some companies offer maintenance packages where you can pay a fixed rate that’ll be tailored to the size of your system and individual needs.
When it comes to getting a quote for solar panels, it’s worth asking any potential installers about any warranties, service, and maintenance that might be included.
Where do you want to install solar panels?
Get startedWhat are the requirements for installing commercial solar panels?
As long as you have enough roof space, you’ll be allowed to install solar panels on your business’ building(s) with little issue.
Another option is to install a solar farm, which will need local council approval. Solar farms are typically only suitable for the very largest energy requirements and most businesses won’t need an installation that big.
Whether you can get approval for a large-scale commercial solar system depends on factors including:
- The visual impact of the solar system
- The extent to which it will benefit the local community
- The impact the solar system will have on the surrounding ecosystem
- Local electricity grid connectivity (can the grid accommodate a large-scale solar system?)
Will I need planning permission for commercial solar panels?
Most businesses won’t need planning permission as they can get Permitted Development Rights instead, as long as they meet the specifications. This should mean they’ll have no issue installing roof-mounted solar panel systems, regardless of size.
For clarity, Permitted Development Rights allow homeowners and business owners to make some changes to their properties without planning permission.
It’s more challenging if a business wants to install a ground-mounted solar panel system however, as any system larger than 9m2 will require planning permission.
If a ground-based installation is smaller than 9m2, it must meet the following conditions to avoid needing planning permission:
- The solar array must be no more than four metres high
- The solar array must be installed more than five metres away from the property boundary
- If located within a conservation area or a world heritage site, the solar array can’t face a motorway or be visible from a motorway
You’ll also need planning permission where your building or property is designated as an historic site, or is in a conservation area.
Always check for additional planning permission you’ll need before agreeing to get anything done. For more information on the legal details, the UK government’s Town and Country Planning Order has everything your business needs to know.
What are the best ways to finance commercial solar panels?
Commercial solar panels can be expensive, but there are several ways to mitigate the costs.
Firstly, there’s a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which is a financing arrangement that lets businesses purchase solar power without the upfront costs.
Through a PPA, a business can rent its roof and purchase discounted solar electricity, instead of investing in its own solar system.
This way, businesses can get all of the advantages of solar panels, including the cost savings, without having to actually buy a solar system outright.
And when they’re ready to buy their solar system, the PPA allows for this.
Many PPAs give businesses the solar system at the end of a 25-year period, at no extra cost. Although the efficiency of solar panels decreases after 25 years or so, they’ll continue to generate electricity for years after this. Newer models can keep going for 40-50 years.
There are also region-specific grants offered by the government for businesses to consider.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
The UKSPF is designed to allow local authorities to help businesses get funding for energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels.
Local councils taking part in the UKSPF can tailor grants to the specific needs of the region they operate in, and funding for businesses typically won’t exceed £10,000. That’s still a sizeable chunk off of any solar panel installation, so it’s well worth checking in with your local council to see if it takes part in the UKSPF.
You can do this by visiting your local council’s website and searching for either business or sustainability grants, or simply give them a call to find out.
Low Carbon Workspace
Low Carbon Workspaces grant that provides support for businesses in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
By switching to energy-efficient measures, including solar panels, businesses in these areas can get a grant of £5,000.
Low Carbon Dorset
Businesses looking for solar panels in Dorset get an even better deal. With the Low Carbon Dorset scheme, you can get grants for up to 50% of your low carbon project costs, between £1,000 and £75,000.
These grants can be used towards costs relating to the installation of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy measure, this includes:
- Contractors and consultants
- Equipment and machinery
- Installation, commissioning and associated works
There are also additional tax benefits for companies that install commercial solar panels, in the form of capital allowances.
How popular are commercial solar panels in the UK?
There have been 134,940 commercial solar panel installations in the UK as of April 2025, so it’s clear more businesses across the UK are adopting commercial solar panels. Big businesses are making the switch to clean energy too, such as Tesco.
The supermarket giant recently unveiled new plans to install solar panels across 100 stores, with the goal being to be carbon neutral by 2035.
The initiative could generate around 20 gWh of electricity, which is enough to charge the equivalent of 300,000 Tesco electric home delivery vans.
This announcement will build on the 40 Tesco stores that already have solar panels fitted, generating more than 10.5 gWh of green electricity in 2023, which is equivalent to powering 3,800 homes.
Another example is Novatech, one of the UK’s largest retailers of computer products.
The company worked with Infinity Energy to carry out a site visit and survey, and installed a 403.2 kWp system with 825 x 490W monocrystalline solar panels and three 110kW inverters.
The payback period was just four years and enabled the company to save £52,297 per annum. Over 20 years, the installation will make a profit of £1,101,356.
Next steps
Commercial solar panels are already powering businesses across the UK, with all the benefits that solar energy brings.
Lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, and the positive public image that comes with green credentials make commercial solar panels well worth the investment.
If you’re ready to find solar panels for your business, we can help. Just fill in this simple form and our trusted suppliers will get in touch with bespoke, obligation-free quotes for you to compare.
Summary
- Installing solar panels on your business’ building(s) can help cut energy costs and also boost your ESG score, if you have one.
- The price of commercial solar panels depends on a number of factors, but small-to-medium sized businesses can expect to pay between £16,000 and £70,000.
- Solar panels on commercial buildings come under Permitted Development Rights, meaning it’s usually fine to install them without needing planning permission.
- If you have a ground-mounted solar panel system on the other hand, you’ll typically need planning permission if it exceeds nine square meters.
- There are several schemes and grants available for commercial solar panels worth looking into.
