Guides
Commercial solar & battery guides
Straight answers on funding, tax, savings and the practicalities of going solar as a business — no jargon, no sales fluff.
The PPA Funding guide library answers the practical questions UK businesses ask before funding commercial solar or battery storage — what it costs, what it saves, how PPAs, hire purchase and leasing compare, capital allowances, and EPC/MEES rules. Every guide is educational, not financial or tax advice.
Capital allowances on commercial solar: AIA and the 50% first-year allowance
If your business buys a commercial solar system, it can usually claim capital allowances on the cost — reducing your taxable profit.
Read guide GuideHow solar improves your commercial EPC (and helps with MEES)
Adding solar to a commercial building reduces the amount of grid electricity it needs, which is one of the more effective ways to improve its EPC rating.
Read guide GuideHow much can your business save with commercial solar?
Commercial solar savings depend mainly on how much of the generated power you use on site (self-consumption), your current electricity rate, and how much roof or land you have.
Read guide GuideCommercial battery storage: costs, savings and payback
Commercial battery storage saves money in three main ways: storing cheap off-peak or self-generated solar energy for use at expensive peak times, shaving costly demand peaks, and increasing how much of your solar you use on site.
Read guide GuideHalf-hourly data explained (and why we ask for it)
Half-hourly (HH) data is a record of how much electricity your site uses in each 30-minute period.
Read guide GuideSolar PPA vs buying outright: which is right for your business?
A PPA means zero upfront cost, no maintenance and a fixed rate below the grid, with the provider owning the system.
Read guide GuideThe commercial solar installation process, step by step
A commercial solar project runs through a clear sequence: a free energy assessment, a tailored proposal, design and DNO approval, installation and commissioning, then ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Read guide GuideTypes of PPA explained: on-site, off-site, sleeved and virtual
There are several types of Power Purchase Agreement.
Read guide GuideWhat is a corporate PPA?
A corporate PPA is a long-term agreement in which a business buys renewable electricity directly at an agreed price — either from generation on its own site or from an off-site project.
Read guide GuideWhat's in a solar PPA contract? Key terms explained
A solar PPA contract sets out the price you pay per kWh, how long the agreement runs, how the price changes over time, who maintains the system, and what happens at the end of the term.
Read guide GuideSolar PPA vs leasing: what's the difference for business?
With a solar PPA you pay for the energy the system produces, at a rate below the grid, and maintenance is included.
Read guide GuideHow to switch to a solar PPA (step by step)
Switching to a solar PPA does not mean changing your electricity supplier.
Read guide GuideIs a solar PPA worth it for your business?
A solar PPA is usually worth it for businesses that use a lot of electricity during daylight hours, have a suitable roof or land, and want to cut bills without capital outlay.
Read guide GuideHow much do commercial solar panels cost in the UK?
The cost of a commercial solar system depends mainly on its size, your roof and how much electrical work is involved.
Read guide GuideDo solar panels work in winter in the UK?
Yes.
Read guide GuideHow much roof space do you need for commercial solar?
As a rough guide, commercial solar needs around six to eight square metres of usable roof per kilowatt installed, so a large warehouse roof can host a very sizeable system.
Read guide GuideDNO approval and G99 for commercial solar explained
Before a commercial solar or battery system can connect to the grid, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) must approve it — usually through the G99 process for larger installations.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar maintenance: what’s actually involved?
Commercial solar is low-maintenance but not no-maintenance.
Read guide GuideHow long do commercial solar panels last?
Commercial solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years or more, with output declining only gradually — usually well under 1% a year.
Read guide GuideDo you need planning permission for commercial solar?
Many commercial rooftop solar installations fall under permitted development and do not need a full planning application, though there are limits and exceptions — for example on listed buildings or in conservation areas.
Read guide GuideSelling surplus solar: the Smart Export Guarantee for business
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires larger energy suppliers to pay for surplus renewable electricity you export to the grid.
Read guide GuideCommercial EV charging and solar: a natural pairing
On-site solar and battery storage are a natural partner for commercial EV charging.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar panel types explained
Most commercial systems today use monocrystalline panels because they are the most efficient, producing more power from a given roof area.
Read guide GuideHow solar cuts your Scope 2 emissions and supports carbon reporting
Solar directly cuts your Scope 2 emissions — those from the electricity you buy — by generating clean power on site instead.
Read guide GuideBattery storage or solar first — which does your business need?
Most businesses benefit from solar first, because generating your own power gives the biggest, most direct saving.
Read guide GuideWhat size solar system does your business need?
A commercial solar system is sized around how much electricity you use and when, not just your available roof.
Read guide GuideSolar for leasehold and tenanted commercial property
You can still benefit from solar on a leased or tenanted commercial property — it just needs agreement between landlord and tenant on who funds it and who uses the power.
Read guide GuideProtecting your business from rising energy costs
The most effective long-term hedge against rising energy prices is to generate some of your own power.
Read guide GuideGrants and funding for commercial solar in the UK
Most UK businesses fund commercial solar through a Power Purchase Agreement (no upfront cost), hire purchase, leasing or outright purchase — often supported by capital allowances when you own the system.
Read guide GuideSolar PPA vs a green energy tariff: which cuts costs more?
A green energy tariff makes the electricity you buy from the grid renewable, but it doesn’t make it cheaper — you still pay grid prices.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar payback period: what to expect
If you buy commercial solar outright, payback typically falls within several years, driven mainly by how much of the generation you use on site and your electricity price.
Read guide GuideIs my business suitable for commercial solar?
A business is well suited to commercial solar if it has a usable roof or land, uses a good amount of electricity during daylight hours, and pays typical commercial grid rates.
Read guide GuideUnderstanding your business electricity bill
A business electricity bill is more than a single unit rate.
Read guide GuideRooftop vs ground-mounted solar for business
Rooftop solar is the usual choice for businesses because it uses space you already have and puts generation right where the power is used.
Read guide GuideSolar vs wind for business energy
For most UK businesses, rooftop solar is more practical than on-site wind.
Read guide GuideFixed vs index-linked PPA rates explained
A solar PPA rate can be fixed or index-linked.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar warranties and insurance explained
Commercial solar comes with several warranties — typically a product warranty on the panels, a separate performance warranty guaranteeing minimum output over ~25 years, and shorter warranties on inverters.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar inverters explained
A solar inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity your panels generate into alternating current (AC) that your building and the grid use.
Read guide GuidekWp vs kWh: solar terms explained for business
kWp (kilowatt-peak) is a solar system's rated capacity, the maximum power it can produce under standard test conditions.
Read guide GuideSolar carports and canopies for business
A solar carport is a raised steel canopy over a car park with solar panels as its roof.
Read guide GuideHow long does commercial battery storage last?
Most commercial lithium battery systems are designed for 10 to 15 years of service, or several thousand full charge cycles.
Read guide GuidePeak shaving with commercial battery storage
Peak shaving uses a battery to supply part of your electricity demand during short periods of high use, so you draw less from the grid at your busiest moments.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar and ESG reporting
On-site solar supports ESG reporting by cutting the emissions from your electricity use (Scope 2) with generation you can measure and evidence.
Read guide GuideHow to read a solar PPA proposal
When reading a solar PPA proposal, check the price per kWh and how far it sits below your grid rate, the contract term, any annual price escalation, what maintenance is included, the exit and buyout terms, and the performance or generation assumptions.
Read guide GuideSolar PV vs solar thermal for business
Solar PV panels generate electricity, which can power anything in your building and be stored or exported.
Read guide GuideDoes commercial solar affect business rates?
Commercial solar can affect business rates, because plant and machinery like a solar installation may be considered in a property's rateable value.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar for multi-site businesses
Multi-site businesses can roll out commercial solar across their estate under a single framework, phasing installations site by site while keeping one agreement and one point of contact.
Read guide GuideWhat affects solar panel output?
Solar panel output depends mainly on orientation (south-facing is best in the UK), roof pitch, shading from buildings or trees, the time of year, and temperature.
Read guide GuideVAT on commercial solar explained
Commercial solar is standard-rated at 20% VAT.
Read guide GuideCommercial Battery Storage Safety and Standards Explained
Commercial battery storage is safe when the system meets recognised standards, is installed by qualified engineers and is sited with proper ventilation, fire separation and thermal management.
Read guide GuideHow Much CO2 Does Commercial Solar Save?
A commercial solar system cuts carbon by generating electricity on site that would otherwise be drawn from the grid.
Read guide GuideSolar for Listed and Heritage Commercial Buildings
Solar is often possible on listed and heritage commercial buildings, but it usually needs listed building consent and sometimes planning permission, especially in conservation areas.
Read guide GuideCommercial Solar Grid Connection Explained
A grid connection sets how much power your solar system can import and export at your site.
Read guide GuideWhat Happens at the End of a Solar PPA?
At the end of a commercial solar power purchase agreement, typically after around 20 years, ownership of the system transfers to your business for a nominal £1.
Read guide GuideHow Commercial Solar Supports Net-Zero Targets
Commercial solar supports a net-zero target by generating low-carbon electricity on site, which directly cuts the Scope 2 emissions tied to purchased grid power.
Read guide GuideCommercial Solar for High Energy Users
Businesses with heavy, steady daytime electricity use get the most from commercial solar because their demand lines up with when the panels generate.
Read guide GuideSolar, Battery and Power Quality for Business
Solar and battery systems interact with your site's power quality through their inverters, which must meet grid compliance standards to avoid disturbing the supply.
Read guide GuideSolar Monitoring and Performance Data Explained
Solar monitoring tracks how much electricity your system generates, how much you consume and export, and whether every part is performing as expected.
Read guide GuideCommercial Solar for Tenants and Occupiers
Tenants can get commercial solar, but because they do not own the building, they need the landlord's agreement to install on the roof.
Read guide GuideWhat Size Battery Does My Business Need?
The right battery size depends on your usage pattern and tariff, not headline capacity alone.
Read guide GuideCommercial Solar as a Business Investment
Buying commercial solar outright is a capital investment that gives your business an income-producing asset.
Read guide GuideCommercial Solar for Flat and Metal Roofs
Commercial solar mounts differently on each roof type.
Read guide GuideDo Solar Panels Add Value to a Commercial Property? Capital Value, Rent and Lettability
Solar can improve a commercial building’s appeal to buyers and tenants, mainly by lifting the EPC rating and cutting running costs.
Read guide GuideCommercial Solar Panel Cleaning: Soiling, Lost Output and How Often to Clean
Commercial solar panels lose output as dust, bird mess, moss and pollen build up and block light.
Read guide GuideBird-Proofing Commercial Solar Panels: Pigeons, Gulls, Damage and Mesh Solutions
Pigeons and gulls like to nest in the sheltered gap under solar panels.
Read guide GuideAgrivoltaics: Dual-Use Solar on Farmland for Grazing, Crops and Farm Income
Agrivoltaics means using the same land for solar generation and farming at once.
Read guide GuideSolar PV With Heat Pumps for Business: Heating and Hot Water From Your Own Power
A heat pump runs on electricity, and solar PV generates electricity, so the two pair naturally.
Read guide GuideDesigning Solar Into a New Commercial Build: Roof, Structure, Cables and Grid
Building solar into a new commercial project at the design stage is cheaper and cleaner than retrofitting later.
Read guide GuideHow a Solar PPA Is Billed: Metering, Invoices and What Your Bill Looks Like
Under a PPA, a generation meter records every kWh your solar system produces.
Read guide GuideWhat Is a Solar Feasibility Study? The Survey Behind a Commercial Install
A solar feasibility study is the assessment carried out before a commercial system is designed.
Read guide GuideSolar Panel Recycling and End of Life: What Happens to Commercial Panels
At end of life, commercial solar panels are largely recyclable: the aluminium frame, glass and much of the silicon and metals can be recovered.
Read guide GuideRent Your Roof for Solar: How Building Owners Earn From Unused Roof Space
Renting your roof for solar means letting a funder install panels on your building at no cost to you, either for a rental income or to buy the electricity generated at a fixed rate at least 30% below the grid.
Read guide GuideOn-Balance-Sheet vs Off-Balance-Sheet Solar: How the Funding Route Shows in Your Accounts
Whether solar sits on your balance sheet depends on how you fund it.
Read guide GuideThree-Phase vs Single-Phase Supply: How It Affects Commercial Solar
Your supply type sets how much solar a site can take.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar and fire safety: how a rooftop PV array is protected against fire
A well-designed commercial solar array is low-risk, but it carries high-voltage DC wiring.
Read guide GuideDoes solar work in a power cut? Why grid-tied systems shut down, and what keeps you running
No.
Read guide GuideSolar for multi-let commercial buildings: sharing generation between several tenanted units
On a multi-let building, solar output is measured and shared using sub-metering.
Read guide GuideHow to choose a commercial solar provider: accreditations, questions and red flags
Check accreditations such as MCS and NICEIC, review references and recent commercial installs, and read the warranty terms on panels, inverters and workmanship.
Read guide GuideBuilding-Integrated Solar (BIPV) for Business: Solar Built Into the Building Fabric
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) replace part of the building fabric with solar-generating materials, such as solar roof tiles, glazed canopies or façade cladding, rather than bolting panels onto an existing roof.
Read guide GuideBattery Storage and Grid Services: How a Commercial Battery Can Earn Income
A commercial battery can earn income by selling flexibility to the grid, on top of cutting your bills.
Read guide GuideSolar Panel Efficiency Explained: What the Percentage Means for Your Roof
Solar panel efficiency is the percentage of the sunlight hitting a panel that it converts into electricity.
Read guide GuideDoes Installing Solar Affect My Roof Warranty? Fixings, Membranes and Sign-Off
It can, if the work is done without the roofer being involved.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar and REGO certificates: green certificates for the electricity your panels generate
A REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin) is an Ofgem-issued certificate proving one megawatt-hour of electricity came from a renewable source.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar and PPA jargon glossary: the key terms a business owner meets, in plain English
This glossary explains the commercial-solar and PPA terms a UK business owner meets most often, grouped into funding, technical and measurement terms.
Read guide GuideSolar battery round-trip efficiency: the energy lost when you store and return electricity
Round-trip efficiency is the share of electricity a battery returns after storing it.
Read guide GuideSolar panel embodied carbon and energy payback: the whole-life sustainability case
Embodied carbon is the greenhouse gas emitted while making, transporting and installing a solar panel.
Read guide GuideWhat is a private wire energy supply? Direct power from an on-site or adjacent generator
A private wire is a direct cable that carries electricity from an on-site or neighbouring generator to a consumer without using the public distribution network.
Read guide GuideCan my business get free solar panels? What “free solar” really means
A UK business can get commercial solar installed with no upfront cost, but “free solar” is not literally free.
Read guide GuideWhat does “£0 upfront” commercial solar actually mean?
“£0 upfront” means your business pays no capital cost to install commercial solar.
Read guide GuideDoes solar qualify for the 40% first-year allowance?
No.
Read guide GuideAre solar panels exempt from business rates?
In England, qualifying solar plant and machinery is excluded from a property's rateable value under regulations in force from 1 April 2022, and that exclusion applies to any day before 1 April 2035.
Read guide GuideCommercial solar maintenance cost: what drives the price
Commercial solar maintenance is usually priced per kilowatt-peak per year, and the rate falls as the system gets bigger.
Read guide GuideHow often should commercial solar panels be cleaned?
There is no correct interval.
Read guide GuideYour solar installer has gone bust — what happens to your commercial array?
Your array keeps generating — nothing switches off because a company failed.
Read guide GuideTaking on an unfamiliar commercial solar system: what a takeover survey should cover
A takeover survey establishes what an unfamiliar commercial solar array actually is and what condition it is in, before anyone quotes to maintain it.
Read guideSee what the sun owes you
Get a free, no-obligation PPA proposal — a tailored system design and a fixed rate at least 30% below your current supplier.
- £0 upfront cost
- Rates 30%+ below the grid
- Fully funded & maintained
- No obligation