# Commercial solar & battery guides

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.

## All guides

- [Capital allowances on commercial solar: AIA and the 50% first-year allowance](https://ppafunding.com/guides/capital-allowances-on-commercial-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/capital-allowances-on-commercial-solar.md)): How UK businesses claim capital allowances on commercial solar. Solar is special rate expenditure, so the AIA and the 50% first-year allowance apply — not full expensing.
- [How solar improves your commercial EPC (and helps with MEES)](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-solar-improves-your-commercial-epc) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-solar-improves-your-commercial-epc.md)): How commercial solar improves your building’s EPC rating and helps meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). What UK landlords and occupiers need to know.
- [How much can your business save with commercial solar?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-can-a-business-save-with-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-can-a-business-save-with-solar.md)): What drives commercial solar savings for UK businesses — self-consumption, PPA rates and your energy profile — and how to get an accurate, tailored estimate.
- [Commercial battery storage: costs, savings and payback](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-battery-storage-roi) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-battery-storage-roi.md)): How commercial battery storage saves money for UK businesses — peak shaving, off-peak arbitrage and solar self-consumption — and what drives the payback.
- [Half-hourly data explained (and why we ask for it)](https://ppafunding.com/guides/half-hourly-data-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/half-hourly-data-explained.md)): What half-hourly electricity data is, how to get it from your supplier, and why it makes your commercial solar or battery quote far more accurate.
- [Solar PPA vs buying outright: which is right for your business?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-ppa-vs-buying-outright) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-ppa-vs-buying-outright.md)): PPA or buy your commercial solar outright? Compare upfront cost, ownership, maintenance, tax and long-term value to choose the right route for your business.
- [The commercial solar installation process, step by step](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-installation-process) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-installation-process.md)): The commercial solar installation process explained — from energy assessment and DNO approval to installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.
- [Types of PPA explained: on-site, off-site, sleeved and virtual](https://ppafunding.com/guides/types-of-power-purchase-agreements) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/types-of-power-purchase-agreements.md)): The main types of Power Purchase Agreement — on-site (physical), off-site, sleeved and virtual (synthetic) — and which type suits a UK business installing solar.
- [What is a corporate PPA?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-is-a-corporate-ppa) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-is-a-corporate-ppa.md)): A corporate PPA lets a business buy renewable electricity directly at an agreed price. How they work, on-site vs off-site, and whether they suit smaller firms.
- [What's in a solar PPA contract? Key terms explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/whats-in-a-solar-ppa-contract) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/whats-in-a-solar-ppa-contract.md)): What a solar PPA contract covers — the price per kWh, contract length, price changes, maintenance and end-of-term options — so you can compare offers fairly.
- [Solar PPA vs leasing: what's the difference for business?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-ppa-vs-leasing) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-ppa-vs-leasing.md)): Solar PPA vs leasing explained — a PPA charges for the energy produced and includes maintenance; a lease is a fixed equipment rental. Which suits your business?
- [How to switch to a solar PPA (step by step)](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-to-switch-to-a-solar-ppa) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-to-switch-to-a-solar-ppa.md)): Switching to a solar PPA does not mean changing your electricity supplier. What it actually involves, the timeline, and what you need to get started.
- [Is a solar PPA worth it for your business?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/is-a-solar-ppa-worth-it) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/is-a-solar-ppa-worth-it.md)): When a solar PPA is worth it — daytime energy use, suitable roof or land, high electricity bills — and when it may not be. An honest UK business guide.
- [How much do commercial solar panels cost in the UK?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-do-commercial-solar-panels-cost) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-do-commercial-solar-panels-cost.md)): What commercial solar costs for a UK business — the main price drivers, rough per-kWp guidance, and how a PPA removes the upfront cost entirely.
- [Do solar panels work in winter in the UK?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/do-solar-panels-work-in-winter-uk) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/do-solar-panels-work-in-winter-uk.md)): Yes — UK commercial solar generates year-round, including winter and cloudy days. How output varies through the year and why it still pays for business.
- [How much roof space do you need for commercial solar?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-roof-space-for-commercial-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-roof-space-for-commercial-solar.md)): How much roof a commercial solar system needs, what makes a roof suitable, and what to do if your roof is limited — a plain-English UK guide.
- [DNO approval and G99 for commercial solar explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/dno-approval-and-g99-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/dno-approval-and-g99-explained.md)): What DNO approval and the G99 process mean for commercial solar and battery, why they are needed, and how a PPA provider handles them for you.
- [Commercial solar maintenance: what’s actually involved?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-maintenance-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-maintenance-explained.md)): What keeping a commercial solar and battery system healthy involves — monitoring, cleaning, inspections and repairs — and why a PPA includes it all.
- [How long do commercial solar panels last?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-long-do-commercial-solar-panels-last) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-long-do-commercial-solar-panels-last.md)): How long commercial solar panels last, what degradation means for output over time, and why a system keeps paying long after a PPA ends.
- [Do you need planning permission for commercial solar?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/do-you-need-planning-permission-for-commercial-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/do-you-need-planning-permission-for-commercial-solar.md)): Whether commercial rooftop and ground-mounted solar need planning permission in the UK, when permitted development applies, and how the process is handled.
- [Selling surplus solar: the Smart Export Guarantee for business](https://ppafunding.com/guides/smart-export-guarantee-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/smart-export-guarantee-for-business.md)): How the Smart Export Guarantee lets a business earn from surplus solar, why self-consumption matters more, and where export fits in a commercial system.
- [Commercial EV charging and solar: a natural pairing](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-ev-charging-and-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-ev-charging-and-solar.md)): How on-site solar and battery storage cut the cost of commercial EV charging for fleets, staff and customers — and ease pressure on your grid connection.
- [Commercial solar panel types explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-types-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-types-explained.md)): Monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels compared for commercial use — efficiency, cost and which suits a business roof.
- [How solar cuts your Scope 2 emissions and supports carbon reporting](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-and-scope-2-emissions) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-and-scope-2-emissions.md)): How on-site solar reduces Scope 2 emissions, and how it supports SECR and ESG reporting for UK businesses — a plain-English guide.
- [Battery storage or solar first — which does your business need?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/battery-storage-or-solar-first) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/battery-storage-or-solar-first.md)): Should your business install solar, battery storage, or both? How to decide based on your roof, energy use and tariff — a clear UK guide.
- [What size solar system does your business need?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-size-solar-system-does-my-business-need) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-size-solar-system-does-my-business-need.md)): How commercial solar systems are sized — around your electricity use, roof and self-consumption — and why bigger isn’t always better.
- [Solar for leasehold and tenanted commercial property](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-for-leasehold-commercial-property) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-for-leasehold-commercial-property.md)): How commercial solar works when you lease your premises — landlord and tenant options, EPC benefits, and how a PPA can be structured around a lease.
- [Protecting your business from rising energy costs](https://ppafunding.com/guides/protecting-your-business-from-rising-energy-costs) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/protecting-your-business-from-rising-energy-costs.md)): Practical ways UK businesses can protect themselves from volatile energy prices — and how on-site solar and a fixed PPA rate provide a long-term hedge.
- [Grants and funding for commercial solar in the UK](https://ppafunding.com/guides/grants-and-funding-for-commercial-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/grants-and-funding-for-commercial-solar.md)): The ways UK businesses fund commercial solar — PPAs, hire purchase, leasing, outright purchase and capital allowances — and where grants may fit.
- [Solar PPA vs a green energy tariff: which cuts costs more?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-ppa-vs-green-energy-tariff) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-ppa-vs-green-energy-tariff.md)): A green tariff makes your grid electricity renewable but not cheaper; a solar PPA generates your own power below grid rates. How the two compare for business.
- [Commercial solar payback period: what to expect](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-payback-period) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-payback-period.md)): What drives the payback period on commercial solar if you buy it, why self-consumption and energy prices matter most, and how a PPA removes payback entirely.
- [Is my business suitable for commercial solar?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/is-my-business-suitable-for-commercial-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/is-my-business-suitable-for-commercial-solar.md)): The simple checks that show whether your business suits commercial solar — roof, daytime energy use and electricity spend — and what to do if it doesn’t.
- [Understanding your business electricity bill](https://ppafunding.com/guides/understanding-your-business-electricity-bill) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/understanding-your-business-electricity-bill.md)): What the charges on a UK business electricity bill mean — unit rates, standing charges, capacity and non-commodity costs — and where solar makes a difference.
- [Rooftop vs ground-mounted solar for business](https://ppafunding.com/guides/rooftop-vs-ground-mounted-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/rooftop-vs-ground-mounted-solar.md)): Rooftop and ground-mounted commercial solar compared — cost, space, output and when each suits a UK business site.
- [Solar vs wind for business energy](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-vs-wind-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-vs-wind-for-business.md)): Commercial solar and small-scale wind compared for UK businesses — cost, planning, reliability and why rooftop solar is usually the practical choice.
- [Fixed vs index-linked PPA rates explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/fixed-vs-index-linked-ppa-rates) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/fixed-vs-index-linked-ppa-rates.md)): The difference between a fixed and an index-linked solar PPA rate, how each affects your long-term cost, and what to check before you sign.
- [Commercial solar warranties and insurance explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-warranties-and-insurance) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-warranties-and-insurance.md)): What warranties cover on commercial solar — panels, inverters and performance — plus insurance, and why a PPA carries this risk for you.
- [Commercial solar inverters explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-inverters-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-inverters-explained.md)): Commercial solar inverters explained: what an inverter does, string vs central designs, and why you should plan for replacement over a system's life.
- [kWp vs kWh: solar terms explained for business](https://ppafunding.com/guides/kwp-vs-kwh-solar-terms-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/kwp-vs-kwh-solar-terms-for-business.md)): kWp vs kWh explained for business: what each term means, how capacity and energy differ, and how they set your solar system size and annual output.
- [Solar carports and canopies for business](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-carports-and-canopies-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-carports-and-canopies-for-business.md)): Solar carports and canopies for business: how they turn car parks into generating assets, why they pair with EV charging, and when they suit your site.
- [How long does commercial battery storage last?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-long-does-commercial-battery-storage-last) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-long-does-commercial-battery-storage-last.md)): How long commercial battery storage lasts: expected lifespan, charge cycles, capacity degradation, warranties and when a battery needs replacing.
- [Peak shaving with commercial battery storage](https://ppafunding.com/guides/peak-shaving-with-commercial-battery-storage) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/peak-shaving-with-commercial-battery-storage.md)): Peak shaving with commercial battery storage: what it is, how batteries cut demand and capacity charges, and which UK businesses benefit most.
- [Commercial solar and ESG reporting](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-esg-reporting) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-esg-reporting.md)): How commercial solar supports ESG reporting: cutting Scope 2 emissions, feeding SECR disclosures and evidencing credible sustainability claims.
- [How to read a solar PPA proposal](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-to-read-a-solar-ppa-proposal) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-to-read-a-solar-ppa-proposal.md)): How to read a solar PPA proposal: the six things to check, including the kWh rate, term, escalation, maintenance, exit terms and performance assumptions.
- [Solar PV vs solar thermal for business](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-pv-vs-solar-thermal-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-pv-vs-solar-thermal-for-business.md)): Solar PV vs solar thermal for business: the difference between generating electricity and heating water, and which technology suits which type of site.
- [Does commercial solar affect business rates?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-commercial-solar-affect-business-rates) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-commercial-solar-affect-business-rates.md)): Does commercial solar affect business rates? How solar can factor into rateable value, why ownership matters, and why to confirm with a rating adviser.
- [Commercial solar for multi-site businesses](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-multi-site-businesses) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-multi-site-businesses.md)): Commercial solar for multi-site businesses: how to phase a portfolio rollout, prioritise the strongest sites and cover your estate under one agreement.
- [What affects solar panel output?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-affects-solar-panel-output) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-affects-solar-panel-output.md)): What affects solar panel output: orientation, roof pitch, shading, temperature and season, and how each changes how much electricity panels generate.
- [VAT on commercial solar explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/vat-on-commercial-solar-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/vat-on-commercial-solar-explained.md)): Commercial solar is standard-rated at 20% VAT. The 0% rate covers homes and charity buildings, not business premises. What VAT-registered firms can recover.
- [Commercial Battery Storage Safety and Standards Explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-battery-storage-safety-standards) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-battery-storage-safety-standards.md)): How commercial battery storage stays safe: fire protection, key standards, siting rules and why installation quality decides long-term reliability.
- [How Much CO2 Does Commercial Solar Save?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-co2-does-commercial-solar-save) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-much-co2-does-commercial-solar-save.md)): How much CO2 does commercial solar save? Savings depend on system size and grid intensity. Learn to estimate your carbon reduction honestly.
- [Solar for Listed and Heritage Commercial Buildings](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-for-listed-heritage-commercial-buildings) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-for-listed-heritage-commercial-buildings.md)): Solar on listed and heritage commercial buildings: consent rules, conservation areas and practical mounting options that respect the fabric.
- [Commercial Solar Grid Connection Explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-grid-connection-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-grid-connection-explained.md)): Commercial solar grid connection explained: connection capacity, export limits and when the network needs reinforcement for larger solar systems.
- [What Happens at the End of a Solar PPA?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-happens-at-end-of-solar-ppa) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-happens-at-end-of-solar-ppa.md)): What happens when a commercial solar PPA ends? The system transfers to your business for a nominal £1 and keeps generating cheaper electricity.
- [How Commercial Solar Supports Net-Zero Targets](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-commercial-solar-supports-net-zero) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-commercial-solar-supports-net-zero.md)): How commercial solar supports net-zero targets: on-site generation cuts Scope 2 emissions alongside efficiency measures and green energy tariffs.
- [Commercial Solar for High Energy Users](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-high-energy-users) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-high-energy-users.md)): Why heavy, steady daytime electricity users get the most from commercial solar, through high self-consumption of the solar power they generate.
- [Solar, Battery and Power Quality for Business](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-battery-power-quality-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-battery-power-quality-for-business.md)): How commercial solar and battery systems interact with power quality, what inverters must comply with, and how batteries can support supply.
- [Solar Monitoring and Performance Data Explained](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-monitoring-performance-data-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-monitoring-performance-data-explained.md)): What solar monitoring shows, why performance data matters, and how it protects the output and long-term value of a commercial solar PV system.
- [Commercial Solar for Tenants and Occupiers](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-tenants-and-occupiers) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-tenants-and-occupiers.md)): How tenants can get commercial solar: landlord agreement, lease length, the split-incentive problem and who really benefits from the savings.
- [What Size Battery Does My Business Need?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-size-battery-does-my-business-need) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-size-battery-does-my-business-need.md)): How to size a commercial battery around your usage pattern and tariff, not just capacity, so it captures real value from solar and off-peak rates.
- [Commercial Solar as a Business Investment](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-as-a-business-investment) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-as-a-business-investment.md)): Framing an outright solar purchase as a business investment: owning the asset, the return on capital and why the figures depend on your usage.
- [Commercial Solar for Flat and Metal Roofs](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-flat-and-metal-roofs) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-for-flat-and-metal-roofs.md)): How commercial solar mounts on flat, standing-seam metal and tiled roofs, the suitability of each type, and what a roof survey checks first.
- [Do Solar Panels Add Value to a Commercial Property? Capital Value, Rent and Lettability](https://ppafunding.com/guides/do-solar-panels-add-value-to-commercial-property) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/do-solar-panels-add-value-to-commercial-property.md)): How commercial solar affects the capital value, rent, EPC rating and sale appeal of your building, and what a funded PPA means for property worth.
- [Commercial Solar Panel Cleaning: Soiling, Lost Output and How Often to Clean](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-panel-cleaning) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-panel-cleaning.md)): Why commercial solar panels get dirty, how much soiling costs in lost output, and how often large rooftop arrays should be cleaned and by what method.
- [Bird-Proofing Commercial Solar Panels: Pigeons, Gulls, Damage and Mesh Solutions](https://ppafunding.com/guides/bird-proofing-commercial-solar-panels) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/bird-proofing-commercial-solar-panels.md)): Pigeons and gulls nest under solar panels, causing mess, damage and fire risk. How mesh and spike bird-proofing protects a commercial rooftop array.
- [Agrivoltaics: Dual-Use Solar on Farmland for Grazing, Crops and Farm Income](https://ppafunding.com/guides/agrivoltaics-solar-on-farmland) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/agrivoltaics-solar-on-farmland.md)): Agrivoltaics lets farmland produce solar power and food together. How grazing and crops work under panels, and what dual-use land means for farm income.
- [Solar PV With Heat Pumps for Business: Heating and Hot Water From Your Own Power](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-pv-with-heat-pumps-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-pv-with-heat-pumps-for-business.md)): Pairing solar PV with a commercial heat pump lets a business heat space and water with its own electricity. Why the two technologies work well together.
- [Designing Solar Into a New Commercial Build: Roof, Structure, Cables and Grid](https://ppafunding.com/guides/designing-solar-into-a-new-commercial-build) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/designing-solar-into-a-new-commercial-build.md)): Specifying solar at the design stage of a new commercial building. Roof orientation, structural allowance, cable routes and grid connection done early.
- [How a Solar PPA Is Billed: Metering, Invoices and What Your Bill Looks Like](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-a-solar-ppa-is-billed) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-a-solar-ppa-is-billed.md)): How a commercial solar PPA is metered and billed: how your solar use is measured, what a PPA invoice shows, and why you still get a grid bill too.
- [What Is a Solar Feasibility Study? The Survey Behind a Commercial Install](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-is-a-solar-feasibility-study) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-is-a-solar-feasibility-study.md)): What a commercial solar feasibility study checks: roof and structural survey, shading, usage analysis and grid connection, and what the report tells you.
- [Solar Panel Recycling and End of Life: What Happens to Commercial Panels](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-recycling-and-end-of-life) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-recycling-and-end-of-life.md)): What happens to commercial solar panels at end of life: how much can be recycled, UK WEEE waste rules, and who handles disposal under a PPA.
- [Rent Your Roof for Solar: How Building Owners Earn From Unused Roof Space](https://ppafunding.com/guides/rent-your-roof-for-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/rent-your-roof-for-solar.md)): How building owners rent unused roof space for solar: earn a roof rent or buy cheaper power, what makes a roof suitable, and the commitments to weigh up.
- [On-Balance-Sheet vs Off-Balance-Sheet Solar: How the Funding Route Shows in Your Accounts](https://ppafunding.com/guides/on-balance-sheet-vs-off-balance-sheet-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/on-balance-sheet-vs-off-balance-sheet-solar.md)): On-balance-sheet vs off-balance-sheet solar: why buying puts an asset on your books while a PPA is an operating cost. Ask your accountant to confirm.
- [Three-Phase vs Single-Phase Supply: How It Affects Commercial Solar](https://ppafunding.com/guides/three-phase-vs-single-phase-supply-and-solar) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/three-phase-vs-single-phase-supply-and-solar.md)): How single-phase vs three-phase supply affects commercial solar: system size, grid connection and inverters, and why most commercial sites use three-phase.
- [Commercial solar and fire safety: how a rooftop PV array is protected against fire](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-fire-safety) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-fire-safety.md)): How fire-safe is a commercial solar array? A plain guide to DC isolation, rapid shutdown, arc-fault protection, cabling and the standards that apply.
- [Does solar work in a power cut? Why grid-tied systems shut down, and what keeps you running](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-solar-work-in-a-power-cut) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-solar-work-in-a-power-cut.md)): A standard grid-tied solar system shuts off in a power cut for safety. Here is why that happens and how battery backup keeps a business running.
- [Solar for multi-let commercial buildings: sharing generation between several tenanted units](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-for-multi-let-commercial-buildings) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-for-multi-let-commercial-buildings.md)): Putting solar on a multi-let building? How sub-metering shares generation between tenants, who funds it, and the lease points to check first.
- [How to choose a commercial solar provider: accreditations, questions and red flags](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-commercial-solar-provider) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-commercial-solar-provider.md)): How do you vet a commercial solar provider? Check MCS and NICEIC accreditation, warranties and references, plus the red flags every buyer should avoid.
- [Building-Integrated Solar (BIPV) for Business: Solar Built Into the Building Fabric](https://ppafunding.com/guides/building-integrated-solar-bipv-for-business) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/building-integrated-solar-bipv-for-business.md)): How building-integrated solar (BIPV) works for commercial premises: solar roof tiles, façade panels and canopies, when it suits a new build, and costs.
- [Battery Storage and Grid Services: How a Commercial Battery Can Earn Income](https://ppafunding.com/guides/battery-storage-grid-services-income) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/battery-storage-grid-services-income.md)): How a commercial battery can earn extra income from grid flexibility and demand-side response services, on top of the bill savings solar delivers.
- [Solar Panel Efficiency Explained: What the Percentage Means for Your Roof](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-efficiency-explained) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-efficiency-explained.md)): What solar panel efficiency really means, the typical percentage range for commercial panels, and why it matters most where roof space is tight.
- [Does Installing Solar Affect My Roof Warranty? Fixings, Membranes and Sign-Off](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-installing-solar-affect-my-roof-warranty) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-installing-solar-affect-my-roof-warranty.md)): Whether mounting solar panels affects your roof covering warranty, how approved or non-penetrating fixings protect it, and getting the roofer to sign off.
- [Commercial solar and REGO certificates: green certificates for the electricity your panels generate](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-rego-certificates) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-rego-certificates.md)): What REGO certificates are, whether your business keeps them under a solar PPA, and how they support renewable electricity claims for UK firms.
- [Commercial solar and PPA jargon glossary: the key terms a business owner meets, in plain English](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-ppa-jargon-glossary) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-and-ppa-jargon-glossary.md)): A plain-English glossary of commercial solar and PPA terms for UK businesses: PPA, kWp, kWh, DNO, G99, inverter, self-consumption, export and MCS.
- [Solar battery round-trip efficiency: the energy lost when you store and return electricity](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-battery-round-trip-efficiency) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-battery-round-trip-efficiency.md)): What round-trip efficiency means for a solar battery, why energy is lost when storing and returning power, and how it affects your storage economics.
- [Solar panel embodied carbon and energy payback: the whole-life sustainability case](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-embodied-carbon-and-energy-payback) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/solar-panel-embodied-carbon-and-energy-payback.md)): The carbon and energy used to make a solar panel, plus how long it generates before offsetting that, and why whole-life payback matters for UK firms.
- [What is a private wire energy supply? Direct power from an on-site or adjacent generator](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-is-a-private-wire-energy-supply) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-is-a-private-wire-energy-supply.md)): What a private wire energy supply is, how a direct cable links an on-site solar array to a nearby user, and where it suits campuses and factories.
- [Can my business get free solar panels? What “free solar” really means](https://ppafunding.com/guides/can-my-business-get-free-solar-panels) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/can-my-business-get-free-solar-panels.md)): Can a UK business get free solar panels? Yes, with £0 upfront — but “free” means a funder pays for the system and you buy the power. Here’s how it works.
- [What does “£0 upfront” commercial solar actually mean?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-does-zero-upfront-solar-mean) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/what-does-zero-upfront-solar-mean.md)): “£0 upfront” commercial solar means no capital cost to install — a funder pays for design, equipment and fitting. Here’s exactly what is and isn’t included.
- [Does solar qualify for the 40% first-year allowance?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-solar-qualify-for-the-40-percent-first-year-allowance) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/does-solar-qualify-for-the-40-percent-first-year-allowance.md)): Solar is special rate expenditure, so it does not qualify for the new 40% first-year allowance. What UK businesses may be able to claim on solar instead.
- [Are solar panels exempt from business rates?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/are-solar-panels-exempt-from-business-rates) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/are-solar-panels-exempt-from-business-rates.md)): In England, qualifying solar plant is left out of a property's rateable value under SI 2022/405 until 1 April 2035. The devolved position differs.
- [Commercial solar maintenance cost: what drives the price](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-maintenance-cost) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-maintenance-cost.md)): What commercial solar maintenance costs in the UK and why — system size, roof access, response commitments and scope. What each tier includes, and what it excludes.
- [How often should commercial solar panels be cleaned?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-often-should-commercial-solar-panels-be-cleaned) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/how-often-should-commercial-solar-panels-be-cleaned.md)): What the research actually says about solar soiling losses, why the big cleaning uplift claims are misleading, and how to set a cleaning interval from your own data.
- [Your solar installer has gone bust — what happens to your commercial array?](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-installer-gone-bust) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-installer-gone-bust.md)): Your commercial solar installer has gone bust. What survives, what does not, how to recover monitoring access, and the paperwork to gather now. UK guide.
- [Taking on an unfamiliar commercial solar system: what a takeover survey should cover](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-takeover-survey) ([md](https://ppafunding.com/guides/commercial-solar-takeover-survey.md)): Inherited or orphaned a commercial solar array? What a takeover survey should cover, in inspection order, and what report you should end up holding.

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Source: [Commercial Solar & Battery Guides](https://ppafunding.com/guides) · 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 funder, the installer or the maintenance provider. The service is free to use; a commission may be earned from a partner at no extra cost. Content is educational and is not financial or tax advice.