MCS Certified Commercial Installers
Commercial Solar Installation
Slash your business energy costs by 60% or more with a commercial solar PV system. ElectriFusion Solutions designs, installs, and maintains large-scale solar arrays for warehouses, factories, offices, farms, schools, and commercial properties across Yorkshire and Northern England.
60%+
Energy cost reduction
3–7 yrs
Typical payback (net of AIA)
100% AIA
Full expensing in year 1
MCS
Certified commercial installer
1 MW+
Largest system installed
Commercial vs Residential Solar
Commercial installations typically deliver faster payback and greater savings due to higher daytime energy consumption and tax benefits.
| Feature | Commercial Solar | Residential Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Cost Savings | 60–80% | 40–60% |
| Typical Payback Period | 3–7 years | 7–12 years |
| Tax Benefits | Capital Allowances | None |
| Daytime Self-Consumption | 50–80% | 30–50% |
| Typical System Size | 50–500+ kW | 3–10 kW |
| VAT on Installation | 0% | 0% |
Why Solar Makes Sense for Your Business
Commercial energy prices have risen dramatically in recent years, and businesses across Yorkshire are facing unsustainable electricity costs. A commercial solar PV system allows your business to generate its own electricity, dramatically reducing your dependence on grid energy and insulating your operating costs against future price increases. With commercial electricity rates often exceeding 30p per kWh, the financial case for solar has never been stronger.
Unlike domestic installations, commercial solar benefits from a particularly favourable economic equation: most businesses consume the majority of their energy during daylight hours when solar panels are generating at peak output. This means a higher proportion of the electricity generated is used on-site rather than exported, delivering greater savings per kilowatt-hour generated. A well-designed commercial system can offset 50-80% of your annual electricity consumption.
Beyond the direct energy savings, commercial solar demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Many supply chains now require environmental credentials, and solar panels visibly signal your business is taking climate action. Commercial solar also improves your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which can increase the value and appeal of your premises.
Business Benefits at a Glance
- Reduce energy costs by 60%+ — generate free electricity during peak business hours and significantly reduce your monthly energy bills.
- Typical ROI in 4-6 years — commercial systems pay for themselves faster than domestic ones, then deliver free electricity for another 20+ years.
- Capital allowance tax relief — claim the full cost of a commercial solar installation against your corporation tax liability in the year of purchase.
- Improve your EPC rating — meet the upcoming Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and increase the value and marketability of your premises.
- Meet sustainability targets — demonstrate environmental commitment to customers, suppliers, and stakeholders with visible renewable energy generation.
- Low maintenance costs — commercial solar systems require minimal upkeep, with no moving parts and a design life of 30+ years.
Types of Commercial Solar Installations
We design and install solar PV systems for all types of commercial premises. Every installation is bespoke, engineered to maximise generation and return on investment for your specific property.
Warehouses and Industrial Units
Large, flat warehouse roofs are ideal for solar PV. A 100 kWp system on a typical industrial roof can generate over 85,000 kWh per year, saving a business more than £25,000 annually at current electricity rates. Warehouses often have high daytime energy demand for lighting, machinery, and climate control, maximising the proportion of solar energy used on-site. We use lightweight mounting systems designed for steel-profile roofing that add minimal load to the structure.
Offices and Retail Premises
Office buildings and retail units consume significant energy for lighting, computing equipment, air conditioning, and heating. A rooftop solar system reduces these operating costs whilst improving the building's EPC rating. For multi-tenant buildings, solar generation can be allocated proportionally or used to reduce shared service charges. We work with landlords, tenants, and building management companies to deliver commercial solar solutions that benefit everyone.
Agricultural and Farm Buildings
Farms and agricultural businesses have large roof areas on barns, sheds, and agricultural buildings that are perfect for solar arrays. Solar can power grain dryers, cold storage, milking parlours, and irrigation systems. For farms with diversified income streams, solar energy can support holiday lets, farm shops, and on-site processing. Ground-mounted solar arrays are also an option on suitable agricultural land, providing an additional income stream.
Schools and Public Buildings
Schools, colleges, and public buildings can significantly reduce their energy budgets with solar PV. A school's energy usage pattern aligns well with solar generation, with high demand during term-time daylight hours. Solar installations also provide educational value, giving students a visible and tangible example of renewable energy technology. Many schools use solar monitoring data in science and geography lessons.
Hospitality and Leisure
Hotels, pubs, restaurants, leisure centres, and holiday parks have high energy consumption for heating, cooling, cooking, and hot water. Solar PV reduces these costs while demonstrating environmental credentials to increasingly eco-conscious customers. Combined with battery storage, hospitality businesses can also benefit from tariff optimisation and emergency backup power during outages.
Ground-Mounted Solar Arrays
For properties with available land but limited roof space, ground-mounted solar arrays provide an alternative installation option. Ground-mounted systems can be oriented and angled for optimal solar generation and are easier to maintain and clean than rooftop installations. They are particularly suited to farms, estates, and commercial properties with unused or low-value land parcels adjacent to the grid connection point.
Return on Investment
Commercial solar PV delivers an outstanding financial return. With current commercial electricity rates in the range of 25-35p per kWh, every unit of electricity you generate and use on-site saves you the full retail cost of grid electricity. The Smart Export Guarantee pays for any surplus you export, though the primary value comes from on-site consumption.
Capital allowances allow businesses to deduct the full cost of a solar installation from their corporation tax liability. Under the Full Expensing scheme for qualifying plant and machinery, you can claim 100% of the cost in the year of purchase, significantly reducing the effective cost of the system. Combined with the annual energy savings, this typically delivers a payback period of 4-6 years for well-designed commercial installations.
After the payback period, your solar system continues generating free electricity for another 20+ years. Over a 25-year system life, a typical commercial installation can deliver total savings of £300,000 to £500,000 or more, depending on system size and energy consumption patterns. These figures assume modest annual increases in grid electricity prices, which have historically risen faster than general inflation.
Our Commercial Installation Process
Feasibility Study
We survey your premises, assess roof structure and condition, review your energy bills, and produce a detailed feasibility report including projected generation, savings, and return on investment.
System Design
Our engineers produce detailed CAD drawings showing panel layout, inverter specification, cable routes, and grid connection requirements. We handle all DNO applications and any necessary planning permissions.
Installation
Professional installation by our experienced commercial team, working around your business operations to minimise disruption. We coordinate with scaffolding, roofing, and structural contractors as needed.
Commissioning and Monitoring
We test and commission the system, register with MCS and your SEG supplier, set up remote monitoring, and provide full handover documentation. Ongoing monitoring identifies any performance issues immediately.
Aftercare and Maintenance
We offer commercial maintenance contracts including annual inspections, panel cleaning, performance reporting, and priority repair response. Protect your investment with professional aftercare from the team that installed it.
How Much Does Commercial Solar Cost?
Commercial solar in the UK typically costs £800–£1,200 per kWp installed, depending on system size, roof type, and access complexity. Larger systems attract lower per-kW costs due to economies of scale.
| System Size | Typical Cost | Annual Generation | Annual Saving* | Gross Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kWp (small office/retail) | £8,000–£12,000 | 8,500–9,500 kWh | £2,100–£2,900 | 4–6 years |
| 50 kWp (medium warehouse) | £40,000–£55,000 | 42,500–47,500 kWh | £8,500–£12,000 | 4–7 years |
| 100 kWp (large warehouse) | £65,000–£90,000 | 85,000–95,000 kWh | £16,000–£22,000 | 3–6 years |
| 250 kWp+ (industrial/farm) | £190,000+ | 210,000+ kWh | £40,000+/yr | 3–5 years |
*Annual savings based on 70% self-consumption at 24p/kWh commercial electricity rate (Ofgem 2026) + SEG export income. Net payback significantly shorter after Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) tax relief. Figures are indicative — contact us for a site-specific report.
100 kWp Warehouse, South Yorkshire
A distribution warehouse in South Yorkshire recently installed a 100 kWp rooftop solar array. Here's what the numbers look like.
Investment & Generation
Tax Relief & Payback
Figures based on South Yorkshire irradiance data (950–1,000 kWh/kWp/yr), 70% self-consumption, commercial electricity at 24p/kWh (Ofgem 2026), SEG at 12p/kWh average, and 25% corporation tax rate. Actual results will vary by site. Contact us for a site-specific financial model.
Annual Investment Allowance — 100% Tax Relief in Year 1
Commercial solar qualifies for the UK's Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) under Full Expensing rules, meaning you can deduct the entire cost from your corporation tax liability in the year of purchase.
100%
First-Year Tax Deduction
The full capital cost of your solar system can be offset against taxable profits in year 1, under the AIA Full Expensing rules (no annual limit for most businesses).
25%
Corporation Tax Rate
For most businesses with profits over £250,000, the effective tax saving equals 25% of the system cost — meaning 25p in every £1 invested is recovered via tax in year 1.
£20,000
Example Tax Saving
On an £80,000 solar installation, a business paying 25% corporation tax saves £20,000 in tax in year 1. Net cost: just £60,000 — before a single kWh of savings.
How it Works in Practice
Your business purchases a commercial solar system for £80,000 (excl. VAT) in the 2025/26 tax year.
You claim 100% AIA on £80,000, reducing your taxable profit by £80,000 in that year.
At 25% corporation tax, your tax bill falls by £20,000. Net cost of the solar system: £60,000.
The system generates ~70,000 kWh/year from year 1, saving ~£12,000/yr at current rates.
Net payback on £60,000 net cost at £12,000/year savings: 5 years — then 20+ years of free electricity.
Total 25-year return: approx. £280,000+ in savings on a £60,000 net investment.
AIA eligibility and tax treatment depends on your business structure and accounting period. Always consult your accountant or tax adviser to confirm your specific position. ElectriFusion Solutions can provide capital allowance documentation to support your claim.
EPC & MEES — Commercial Property Obligations
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for commercial properties are tightening. Solar significantly improves your EPC rating, helping you meet current requirements and get ahead of upcoming deadlines.
| Deadline | Minimum EPC Rating | Applies To | Max Penalty | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now (since Apr 2023) | EPC E | All tenanted commercial property | £150,000 | No new lets or renewals below E |
| 2028 (proposed) | EPC C | All new commercial leases | £150,000 | Upgrade before new leases commence |
| 2030 (proposed) | EPC B | All occupied commercial property | £150,000 | Existing tenancies must also comply |
How Solar Improves Your EPC
A solar PV system reduces a building's carbon intensity and primary energy demand — two key metrics in the EPC methodology. A well-sized commercial solar array can improve an EPC rating by one to two bands (e.g., from D to B, or E to C), potentially bringing your property into compliance with both the current and upcoming MEES thresholds in a single investment.
- EPC improvement can increase rental yields and property valuation
- Sustainable buildings attract green-minded tenants and lenders
- Green finance and lower mortgage rates available for EPC A/B properties
Risks of Non-Compliance
Landlords who let or continue to let a non-compliant commercial property face significant financial and legal risks. MEES penalties are enforced by local authorities and can be applied per property, meaning a multi-property portfolio could face millions in fines.
- Fines up to £150,000 per property for MEES breaches
- Inability to let or renew leases on sub-standard properties
- Property value erosion — "stranded assets" risk for 2028/2030 targets
MEES 2028 and 2030 targets are proposed legislation. Confirm current requirements with your solicitor or energy assessor. Contact ElectriFusion Solutions for an EPC improvement assessment for your commercial property.
Commercial Electricity Costs 2025–2026
Unlike domestic energy, business electricity has no price cap. Prices remain volatile and significantly above pre-pandemic levels — making solar an increasingly critical cost-control measure.
| Business Size | Annual Usage | Avg Unit Rate | Pre-Pandemic Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro business | <10,000 kWh | 25.8p/kWh | Was under 10p — now 2.5x higher |
| Small business | 10–20,000 kWh | 26–27.8p/kWh | Was under 10p — now 2.7x higher |
| Medium business | 20–50,000 kWh | 26.3p/kWh | Was under 10p — now 2.6x higher |
| Large business | 50,000+ kWh | 26.2p/kWh | Was under 10p — now 2.6x higher |
Good fixed-rate business contracts in 2026 are achieving 20–23p/kWh — but solar generation costs just 3–5p/kWh equivalent over 25 years. Source: Cornwall Insight, business energy brokers, Q1 2026.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
A PPA allows your business to benefit from on-site solar generation with zero capital expenditure. A third-party investor installs, owns, and maintains the solar system on your roof, and your business simply buys the electricity it generates at a pre-agreed rate — typically 10–15p/kWh, significantly below the current grid rate of 25–28p/kWh.
PPA contracts typically run for 10–25 years. The system remains off your balance sheet, requires no maintenance from your team, and you lock in a predictable energy cost for the contract duration — protecting your business from wholesale market volatility.
PPAs are best suited for businesses with large, suitable roof areas (500m²+), strong energy demand during daylight hours, and a long-term tenancy or freehold. Contact us to assess whether a PPA or direct purchase offers better value for your specific situation.
Commercial Battery Storage
Commercial battery storage costs £450–£800/kWh installed and generates revenue from multiple streams: peak shaving (saving £5,000–£15,000/year by avoiding maximum demand charges), load shifting, grid balancing services (Dynamic Containment revenue of £3,000–£8,000/year), and increased solar self-consumption.
A well-sized commercial battery system achieves payback in 3–5 years when stacking multiple revenue streams. Combined with solar, commercial battery storage transforms your energy infrastructure from a pure cost centre into a revenue-generating asset.
Commercial Battery Revenue Streams
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Smart Export Guarantee earnings from day 1
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