Commercial solar is a different product from domestic solar, even though the panels look the same. The economics are driven by one thing: how much of what you generate you consume yourself, on site, at the moment it is produced.
Why business roofs perform better
A warehouse, workshop or office draws its heaviest load between 8am and 6pm — exactly when a solar array is producing. Self-consumption of 70–90% is normal on a commercial site, against 40–50% for a typical home. Every unit self-consumed is offsetting your full commercial import rate, which is the single biggest lever on payback.
Typical numbers
- 50 kWp array — around £45,000–£60,000 installed, generating roughly 45,000 kWh a year
- 250 kWp array — economies of scale bring the cost per kWp down significantly
- Payback of four to seven years is common where daytime load is strong
- Systems are designed for a 25+ year life with inverter replacement budgeted around year 12
Capital allowances
Solar assets can qualify for capital allowances, which materially improves the post-tax return. Your accountant should model this alongside our generation figures — we provide the technical data they need.
CAPEX, lease or PPA
Buying outright gives the best lifetime return. A power purchase agreement puts the capital in someone else's hands and sells you the electricity at a fixed rate — lower return, no capital outlay. We are happy to quote either and show you both sets of figures side by side.
