Go solar and see your energy bill savings pay for the cost of your system, typically within about 4 to 7 years, depending on your site and tax position. Start with a free assessment of your business energy bills.
Your assessment confirms the forecast for your roof, usage and funding route.
If your premises use power throughout the working day, your roof could help supply it. We assess your energy use, roof space and funding options to establish the business case before you commit.
Pick your building to see how commercial solar works for your sector, with the system sizes and savings that match it.
Make an enquiry today and see how much going solar can save your business and effectively pay for itself, typically within about 4 to 7 years. With tax breaks, you can massively reduce the initial cost of your commercial solar installation and enjoy free energy over the lifetime of your solar panels.
Payback is site-specific. These are illustrative timeframes, not a forecast for your premises. Tax relief and ongoing costs depend on your circumstances.
Get your free solar assessment
Every roof is modelled before anything is quoted
1 2 3 4 5 We use advanced modelling software and data to design a bespoke system for you.
Geographic location, roof orientation and slope at your property are all taken into account to accurately calculate the amount of solar energy your system could produce.
We work out your potential electricity consumption, based on your half-hourly bill data and hours of business operation, to give you a realistic saving forecast that you can achieve.
We design the optimum system for your business, with accurate saving forecasts (final performance estimates provided upon completion of a technical site survey).
We will provide information to you regarding the available tax breaks under the Annual Investment Allowance to reduce your corporation tax bill significantly when going solar.
A solar installation is a worthwhile investment that could pay for itself within about 4 years when using your Annual Investment Allowance to reduce your system cost.
| System cost | £166,600 |
|---|---|
| Year 1 energy savings | £30,873 |
| Payback time | 5.4 years |
| Effective cost after AIA relief at a 25% tax rate | £124,950 |
| Payback time when using the Annual Investment Allowance | 4.0 years |
Illustration only: £166,600 installation cost and £30,873 annual savings, with full AIA eligibility and sufficient profits taxed at 25%. Simple payback excludes finance, maintenance and future tariff changes. Ask your accountant about your tax position.
1 2 3 4 5 Solar panels capture the energy from daylight and convert it to electricity that can be used to power your business. By installing a bespoke solar PV system, you will be generating your own renewable energy, reducing your energy bills, and reducing your carbon footprint.
Solar panels still generate on cloudy days as they require light, not direct sunlight, in order to generate electricity. The brighter the light source is, the greater the electricity output.
Solar PV panels consist of multiple cells made from semiconducting materials, which, when light shines upon them, generate electricity.
The electricity created is direct current (DC) and needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter so it is suitable for use in your business.
This electricity can be used to power your business operations, with each unit of free electricity generated and used meaning you buy one less unit from your energy supplier.
Anything you don't use can be exported back to the grid.
25 years5.4 years
25 years4.0 years
Grey: paying back the system. Amber: saving after simple payback.
We appreciate that purchasing commercial solar panels doesn’t come cheap, but the annual savings by reducing your reliance on your energy supplier soon add up. Whether you are wanting solar for an office building, a warehouse, a manufacturing plant or a distribution centre, the cost of your installation could be covered by your savings for approximately 4 years.
Additionally, solar photovoltaic systems are eligible for deductions under the Annual Investment Allowance. This means you can write off 100% of the capital cost of your system under your AIA deductions, reducing the cost of your solar system by up to 25% at the main rate of corporation tax.
Once you have solar panels installed on your commercial property, the energy that you generate on your rooftop can be used to power your business during daylight hours. This helps you to reduce your energy bills significantly and drastically reduces your carbon footprint.
Some businesses with sufficient space for a sizeable solar panel array can even rely on solar energy for revenue generation, by operating a solar installation as a solar farm, though planning requirements mean you may need local authority approval to operate such a set-up.
We provide bespoke system designs for every business, based upon your energy usage and rooftop availability. To give you an idea of the savings and cost of a system, below are some of our common system sizes.
For office buildings
25 yearsPays back in 6.2 yrs
For warehouse buildings
25 yearsPays back in 6.0 yrs
For manufacturing plants
25 yearsPays back in 5.8 yrs
For distribution centres
25 yearsPays back in 5.7 yrs
Illustrative examples, not live quotations. Equipment, warranties and prices are confirmed in your proposal. All savings are based upon a solar generation yield of 850kWh/kWp installed per annum, with usage of 71.43% of solar energy generated, assuming a 24p/kWh electricity import rate (close to the DESNZ Q1 2026 UK non-domestic average of 24.14p/kWh). Savings may change year on year dependent upon weather conditions, energy prices and system degradation in line with warrantied output.
Solar PV brands featured in our system examples
Aside from the money-saving potential of solar, there are also environmental reasons for going solar and cutting your carbon footprint.
Over the lifetime of your new solar system, the positive impact of solar can be significant.
Installing solar panels helps reduce the environmental impact of your business. Producing your own electricity through a commercial solar panel system helps reduce your dependence on the national grid and the need for energy from non-renewable sources such as oil and gas. With a bespoke optimum-designed solar system, your business can massively reduce its overall carbon footprint.
Demonstrate your green credentials to your customers by going solar. Boost your brand and appeal to eco-conscious customers who are becoming more and more particular about who they do business with, based on their green approach and how they operate.
The upfront costs of a solar panel system can seem a lot initially and might put off some firms. Depending on the size of your premises and the scale of installation you require, a larger and more powerful set-up could require a six-figure investment, although much smaller systems can be installed for significantly less. Whilst costs can be prohibitive for some businesses, asset financing providers are typically very keen to lend against green assets and provide funding to enable you to pay for your solar with savings you make on your electricity bills.
With rising costs of energy, as a business owner, it would be smart to switch to renewable sources of energy like solar to provide a long-term solution for surging fuel expenses. Your solar energy can be used to power numerous applications in the workplace.
A solar set-up will provide years of solar power. The inverter, converting direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), will require maintenance in order to keep up its performance levels, and typically will need to be replaced every 5-10 years. Your solar panels are warrantied for about 25 years of performance.
As solar requires a significant initial outlay, you should be committed to your current location for sufficient time to fully realise the returns on your solar panel investment. Typically, this is likely to be a period of at least 3 years, so for those planning to move in the immediate future, solar may not be the best option, given it is not normally practicable to move your solar panels should you relocate.
The right route depends on your cash position, your lease and how much power you use in daylight. Your free assessment models each one against your own bills, starting with what you can save before a single panel goes up.
Review your electricity tariff whilst planning your solar installation
Best for: Any business on an out-of-contract or uncompetitive tariff
Ask about this route
Pay upfront, keep every pound of the saving
Best for: Profitable businesses with cash or an existing facility, and a long lease or freehold
Ask about this route
Spread the cost, with ownership at the end of the agreement
Best for: Businesses that want ownership without tying up working capital
Ask about this route
Fully funded. You just buy cheaper electricity
Best for: Sites with a large roof and daytime demand that want savings with no capital or maintenance
Ask about this routeFinance and fully funded options are subject to eligibility, survey and contract terms. Savings, repayments and tax relief depend on your circumstances.
When it comes to commercial solar, there are a few ways to purchase your system. We’ll help to guide you through your options.
Using the Annual Investment Allowance, you can deduct the cost of your system against corporation tax.
Spread the cost with asset financing and use your bill savings to pay off your annual loan repayments.
Purchase your system outright, for the best return on investment.
Get a forecast based on your building, tariff and daytime electricity use.
We will check if you qualify for any incentives or grants.
Your assessment uses your postcode to check local solar yield, planning rules and the grid connection.
Prefer to talk first? Call 0113 834 0644 or email [email protected].
Your installation is managed by Solar4BusinessInstallation services described below are delivered by our partner Solar4Business.
Our expert in-house team will advise you on how to best save money through a bespoke business solar installation.
Get in touch through our website and one of our expert assessors will manage your project from start to finish.
We will arrange an appointment for our technical team to survey your property.
Our qualified team of solar specialists will then install your chosen system.
You will start saving on energy bills immediately!
See the range of buildings featured in Solar4Business’s published installation projects, from manufacturing sites to schools.
Commercial solar at industrial scale. A large manufacturing roof put to work generating electricity on site.
Explore the project
Rooftop generation alongside the demands of a busy manufacturing operation.
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Using school roof space to generate power where it is needed throughout the day.
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A bespoke rooftop installation designed around a business headquarters.
Explore the projectWith the cost of electricity and commercial energy bills at high levels, there has never been a better time to reduce your energy usage and switch your business to solar.
Business Solar UK helps you assess your options and introduces you to Solar4Business. Their team surveys your premises, designs the system and manages the installation.
Solar4Business displays the accreditation marks below on its website. Ask for the current certificates, the contracting company’s details and the warranties that apply to your proposed installation.
Founder and CEO, Pharaoh Capital. Founder of Solar4Business and INICIO.
Over ten years in the energy sector. Grant founded Solar4Business, who install every Business Solar UK system, and INICIO, which funds commercial solar with no upfront cost. Institute of Directors Young Director of the Year, 2020.
Reviews are of Solar4Business, who carry out every installation for Business Solar UK. Rating as at 22 September 2026.
"All went well with the initial enquiry, report draft and install. We were kept up to date with install dates and the guys on site were tidy and professional... There has been a marked reduction in our electricity costs which was the reason for the install."
"Steve and his team were extremely professional, installing over 900 panels for our Academy."
"We have a commercial property and 48 solar panels have been fitted. The team of installers were extremely professional and helpful."
"A great installation. Steve and the team did a great job. Would not hesitate to recommend this company."
Brands using solar power
Unfortunately, not every business premises is suitable for solar. Firstly, rented properties aren’t suitable without the landlord’s consent, or unless the landlord chooses to buy themselves. Secondly, your roof needs to be in a suitable condition, as whilst solar panels are relatively light, loading and installation of the system must be considered and safety is always a priority. Finally, if your roof is heavily shaded, it may not be suitable for solar. However, if shading is only in some parts of the roof space, options are available to maximise your performance with shading in mind.
Businesses have traditionally relied on fossil fuels like oil or gas, or used electricity from the energy companies to generate heat. Solar panels are a greener choice because they are a low-carbon renewable source of energy generated from daylight. The electricity produced can meet your energy demands to power your business, and any excess can be stored in solar batteries, or even exported back to the grid. As with all technologies, solar isn’t perfect and in the production and distribution of solar panels there are carbon impacts; however, these are typically offset within a short time of installation.
Your solar savings will vary according to the size of your solar set-up, weather conditions, shading and orientation. Additionally, your electricity use during the day will impact how much solar panels will save you. Your savings should be generated for the entire lifespan of your solar panels, which is expected to be 25+ years.
Planning permission is not usually required for solar panels on commercial settings as they are normally considered ‘Permitted Development’. This is subject to the installation meeting the conditions laid down, including size, height, distance from the property boundary, and visibility.
The time taken for a solar installation at a commercial premises will depend on the size and specific requirements of the project. Commercial installations can require multiple days to be installed, especially if the premises and roof space are large, and therefore require significant numbers of solar panels.
Solar doesn’t require direct sunlight in order to generate, so electricity can still be produced on cloudier days, albeit at a lower rate. When your solar system is not producing electricity at a sufficient rate to meet your business needs, you will just draw electricity from the grid, as you did prior to the solar installation.
Commercial solar panels will usually last between 20-25 years, but for more modern solar panels the lifespan could even reach 40 years. Efficiency can reduce over time and inverters need to be maintained and occasionally replaced, but overall the lifespan of solar panels is long, allowing you to get a return on your investment several times over.
Businesses can claim tax relief under the Annual Investment Allowance of up to £1 million. This tax break allows you to take 100% of qualifying investments off your taxable profits, reducing your corporation tax bill and in turn the cost of going solar. As an example, at the 25% main rate of corporation tax, a solar PV system costing £166,600 could be reduced to £124,950, a saving of £41,650. You may only claim a saving on solar against the Annual Investment Allowance if you have not exhausted the £1 million annual cap. For more information read our full article on solar panel capital allowances.
We know that a commercial solar PV system can be a significant outlay for some businesses, and for this reason it is possible to pay the costs in instalments. We can refer you to asset finance providers to fund your system and pay for it over a period of 10 years. Fully funded options, where you pay nothing upfront and buy the electricity the panels generate, are also available through a power purchase agreement.
When you first get in touch we will contact you and then use advanced third-party modelling software to design your bespoke system. Once you are happy with this proposal, we will conduct a site survey to finalise your system’s technical designs. At this stage, you will need to sign your agreement to proceed and we will book your installation date, typically within 2 weeks. The time taken to install your solar system will depend on the size and complexity of your installation. Make the first step towards lower energy bills, long-term savings and a much-reduced carbon footprint for your business by enquiring about solar today.
All performance figures and saving amounts are estimates only and cannot be guaranteed.
Save massively on your electricity bills when you invest in solar.
