Commercial solar for multi-site businesses

A business with several branches, depots or units rarely has identical roofs. Sites differ in roof size, age, orientation, shading, electricity use and lease length. A portfolio approach surveys the whole estate first, then ranks sites by how well solar performs on each: strong daytime consumption, sound roofs and good orientation rise to the top.

This ranking matters because the best sites deliver the fastest, largest savings. Rather than treating every location the same, a portfolio rollout puts capital and effort where the return is clearest, while flagging sites that need roof repairs or lease clarity before they can proceed.

Few businesses install across an entire estate at once. Phasing spreads the work, lets you prove the model on the first sites, and fits installations around operational constraints such as seasonal shutdowns or roof replacement schedules. A typical rollout starts with a pilot at one or two strong sites, then extends once the savings and process are proven.

Phasing also helps with leased premises. Sites you own or hold on long leases are usually straightforward; those with short remaining leases may need landlord agreement or may wait. Mapping lease lengths across the estate early prevents stalled projects later.

Managing solar across many sites is far simpler under one framework than negotiating each individually. A PPA can cover multiple sites under a single agreement, with each installation funded at no upfront cost and billed at a fixed rate per kWh at least 30% below grid. You get consistent terms, consolidated reporting and one relationship to manage.

Central reporting is a practical benefit for multi-site operators. Combined generation data across the estate feeds straight into group-level energy and carbon reporting, and gives head office a single view of savings. As with any funded route, the funding partner owns and maintains each system until it passes to you for the nominal £1 at the end of the term.