# Commercial solar for Garden centres & nurseries

Garden centres and nurseries combine retail, catering and horticulture — with glasshouse heating, lighting and irrigation adding steady demand. Big roofs and daytime trading make funded solar and battery storage a strong fit, with no upfront cost.

A garden centre is part shop, part café, part growing operation. Retail lighting and refrigeration, restaurant kitchens, and glasshouse heating, ventilation and irrigation all draw power through daylight trading hours — exactly when solar generates.

Large glasshouse and canopy structures, plus main retail roofs, offer plenty of area for a system. A PPA funds it entirely, turning a rising energy cost into a lower, predictable one.

## Why it fits Garden centres & nurseries

- **Daytime trading demand** — Retail, café and growing loads peak in daylight hours, giving high solar self-consumption.
- **Plenty of roof area** — Retail buildings, canopies and glasshouses provide ample space for a sizeable array.
- **Support your growing side** — Solar offsets the power behind ventilation, lighting and irrigation for propagation.
- **Zero upfront** — A PPA funds and maintains everything, so capital stays in the business.

## Frequently asked questions

**Can solar power our glasshouse systems?**

Yes — glasshouse ventilation, lighting and irrigation are daytime electrical loads that solar covers directly, with battery storage extending the benefit.

**Do the panels affect our retail canopies?**

Panels are engineered for your specific roofs and canopies, accounting for structure and loading, and are designed not to disrupt your retail space.

## Funding routes

| Route | Upfront | Payment | Ownership | Maintenance | Accounting | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | £0 | Fixed rate per kWh | Yours for £1 at end of term | Fully included | Off-balance-sheet (operating cost) | Businesses that want no capital outlay, no risk and no maintenance — just lower bills from day one. |
| Outright Purchase (CapEx) | Full system cost | One-off capital cost | Yours from day one | Optional O&M package | Capital asset | Businesses with capital available that want the strongest long-term return and full ownership. |
| Hire Purchase (HP) | Deposit | Fixed monthly instalments | Yours at end of agreement | Optional O&M package | Asset on balance sheet | Businesses that want to own the system but spread the cost and protect their cash flow. |
| Leasing (Operating / Finance Lease) | Low / none | Fixed rentals (opex) | Return, extend or buy at end | Optional O&M package | Rentals as operating expense | Businesses that want minimal upfront cost and predictable, tax-efficient operating payments. |

**Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)** — Zero upfront. Pay only for the clean power you use.

Pros: No upfront cost or capital outlay; Rate guaranteed at least 30% below the grid; Fully funded, installed and maintained for you; System becomes yours for a nominal £1 at the end.

Consider: A long-term agreement (typically 15–25 years); You don't own the system during the term.

**Outright Purchase (CapEx)** — Own it from day one and keep 100% of the savings.

Pros: Best long-term return on investment; Own the asset and keep every kWh of savings; May qualify for capital allowances / full expensing; No financing or interest cost.

Consider: Ties up capital that could be used elsewhere; You're responsible for maintenance (we can provide it).

**Hire Purchase (HP)** — Spread the cost, own the system at the end.

Pros: Preserve working capital — pay over an agreed term; Own the system outright at the end; Tax-efficient: claim capital allowances and offset interest; Fixed, predictable monthly payments.

Consider: Interest applies over the term; Subject to finance approval.

**Leasing (Operating / Finance Lease)** — Low upfront, predictable rentals as an operating cost.

Pros: Little or no upfront cost; Rentals are typically 100% tax-deductible; Predictable, fixed payments; Flexible end-of-term options.

Consider: You may not own the system at the end (depends on lease type); Subject to finance approval.

---

Source: [Commercial solar for Garden centres & nurseries](https://ppafunding.com/commercial-solar-for/garden-centres-and-nurseries) · Contact: 01743 649 888 · info@ppafunding.com · https://ppafunding.com

PPA Funding is an independent introducer operated by DVC Group Ltd (Companies House 10462808), Shrewsbury — not the installer or the funder. The service is free to use; a commission may be earned from partner funders at no extra cost. Content is educational and is not financial or tax advice.