Energy bills still chewing through profits? Carbon reporting breathing down your neck? No wonder solar has jumped from “something to think about” to “why haven’t we done this yet?”
- Why businesses are switching on to solar
- Benefits of commercial solar PV
- How Commercial Solar Differs by Business Size
- How much do commercial solar panels cost?
- Grants and incentives for businesses
- Savings and break-even point
- Do you need planning permission?
- Choosing a commercial solar installer
- Drawbacks worth knowing
- Are commercial solar panels worth it?
Stick a few panels on your office roof or cover a whole factory - either way, you’ll cut costs, boost energy security, and get to show off your green stripes while you’re at it.
Let’s dive in and see why it’s a win-win. And if you’re ready to size up solar for your business, get in touch with Heatable, and we’ll run the numbers for you.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
SMEs (10–50kWp) typically spend £16k–£60k. Larger installs (50–100kWp+) fall to £700–£1,000 per kWp thanks to economies of scale.
Most firms recover costs in 3–6 years. The bigger the system, the faster the ROI.
30kWp system can shave £6k–£8k annually; 100kWp+ systems can save £18k–£27k per year.
Claim 100% tax relief under the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) and earn export payments under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
All sizes of business, but Heatable’s focus (and expertise) is small and medium-sized enterprises - the backbone of the UK economy.
Why businesses are switching on to solar
Unlike households, most businesses hum along during daylight hours - right when the sun is pulling its weight.
That neat overlap means companies use the lion’s share of their solar output (often 80–90%) as it’s generated, instead of sending it back to the grid for pennies.
The payoff?
Sharper economics from day one. You’re slashing bills at the point of use, hitting faster payback periods, and shielding your bottom line from the rollercoaster of wholesale energy prices.
But the numbers aren’t the only driver…
Solar ticks multiple boxes at once: it helps with ESG reporting, satisfies increasingly climate-conscious customers, and shows investors and stakeholders that your business is serious about resilience.
Combine that with the not-so-shocking truth that energy costs rarely head south for long, and solar stops looking like a “green experiment” and starts looking like plain good business.
Benefits of commercial solar PV
The upsides of going solar aren’t just about saving a few quid - they touch your bottom line, your brand, and even how smug you get to feel at the next board meeting.
Here’s the lowdown:
Bills that actually go down – Stick panels on your roof and you’re suddenly paying a lot less to keep the lights on. Better yet, those costs stay steady while everyone else is playing Russian roulette with the energy market.
More control, less chaos – Generating your own juice means you’re not held hostage by grid wobbles or energy price spikes. Throw in a battery and you’re practically your own mini power station.
Carbon guilt, cancelled – Each MWh of solar chops out 0.2–0.25 tonnes of CO₂. Rack that up over a year and you’ve got the kind of numbers that make ESG reports sparkle.
Points with the crowd – Customers, investors, and even potential hires are all watching. Solar gives you bragging rights as the greener, smarter business that’s actually doing something, not just talking about it.
A hedge that actually works – Let’s face it, energy prices don’t trend down for long. Solar is your safety net against the next hike - and the one after that.
In short, commercial solar is one of those rare moves that saves you money, makes you look good, and keeps future-you from swearing at the energy bill.
How Commercial Solar Differs by Business Size
🔹 Small businesses (10–30kWp):
Think: offices, shops, small warehouses.
Typical cost: £16k–£39k.
Payback: 4–6 years.
Most installs fit neatly on pitched roofs and use standard 72-cell panels plus a string inverter. Battery storage is increasingly popular, especially for shops/offices wanting to stretch savings into the evening.
🔹 Medium-sized businesses (30–100kWp):
Think: distribution centres, schools, medium factories.
Typical cost: £39k–£100k.
Payback: 3–5 years.
Systems often include multiple inverters, higher-capacity panels, and smart monitoring. Battery storage makes a bigger dent here, trimming peak demand costs.
🔹 Large enterprises (100kWp+):
Think: supermarkets, data centres, heavy industry.
Costs drop per kWp: £700–£1,000/kWp.
Payback: 2–4 years.
At this scale, installations may move beyond rooftop to ground-mount or solar carports. These often fall outside MCS jurisdiction, but still demand accredited, proven installers.
👉 Important note: Heatable’s focus is small and medium systems up to 100kWp, where typical solar panels and battery storage deliver the most value. For mega-projects, think industrial EPC contractors.
How much do commercial solar panels cost?
Prices vary with system size and complexity. Here’s what different businesses can expect in 2025:
System size | Typical site | Installed cost | Annual savings | Payback period |
20kWp | Small office, shop, café | £16k–£30k | £4.5k–£6k | 4-5 years |
50kWp | Warehouse, school | £33k–£60k | £11k–£15k | 3-5 years |
100kWp | Larger warehouse, supermarket | £70k–£100k | £18k–£25k | 3-4 years |
250kWp | Factory, logistics hub | £175k–£250k | £45k–£60k | 3-4 years |
Key point: The bigger the system, the lower the cost per unit of energy. Economies of scale make large arrays more cost-efficient.
Grants and incentives for businesses
Sadly, there’s no magic “free solar for everyone” button. But there are plenty of financial levers you can pull to make the numbers stack up faster:
Incentive | What it means for you | Why it matters |
Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) | Deduct up to £1m of solar spend in year one. | Massive upfront tax relief - yes, solar qualifies. |
50% First-Year Allowance | For any spending beyond the AIA cap. | Helps soften the blow if you’re going big. |
Business rates relief | Rooftop solar and storage exempt from rate rises until 2035. | Keeps your shiny new investment from hiking your rates bill. |
Get paid 4.1p–21p/kWh for surplus energy exported to the grid. | Turns spare power into pocket money. | |
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) | Larger firms can negotiate long-term deals with suppliers. | Predictable income stream if you’ve got serious roof space. |
Sector & local funding | Grants for agriculture, education, charities, and regional projects. | Free money if you fit the right box. |
Bottom line: while there isn’t a single catch-all solar grant, the toolkit is there to trim your payback period and keep more cash in the business.
Savings and break-even point
When it comes to payback, commercial solar doesn’t hang about. In most cases, you’re looking at break-even far quicker than you’d think:
SMEs: Typically see payback in around 4–6 years.
Medium-sized systems: Tighten that to about 3–5 years.
Large rooftops: Can smash break-even in just 2–4 years.
The reason the numbers look so good?
Unlike households, businesses guzzle power during the day - right when the panels are producing it.
That high self-consumption means you’re offsetting pricey grid electricity in real time, instead of selling it back for pocket change.
The result?
A sharper ROI, more predictable energy costs, and a system that keeps paying you back long after it’s earned its keep.
For many firms, solar ends up being one of the quickest-returning investments they’ll ever make in fixed infrastructure.
Do you need planning permission?
The good news? Most commercial solar projects slide neatly under permitted development - meaning you won’t need to wrestle with endless planning paperwork.
That said, there are a few ground rules to keep things legit:
Panels can’t stick up more than 200mm above a pitched roof.
On flat roofs, they mustn’t rise higher than 1m.
Arrays need to sit at least 1m back from the roof edge.
Special cases kick in if your building’s listed or in a conservation area.
And remember - even if planning isn’t required, building regulations always apply. That covers everything from structural integrity to wind loading and electrical compliance.
In other words, the boring-but-vital stuff that keeps your roof from becoming a giant kite.
The easy way to handle it? Pick a reputable installer (hi, that’s us 👋).
A good team will manage the red tape for you, making sure your system ticks every compliance box without you losing sleep.
Choosing a commercial solar installer
Commercial solar is an investment that should pay you back for decades - but only if it’s installed properly.
Go with the wrong outfit and you risk shoddy design, underperforming panels, or a nasty surprise when warranties don’t stack up.
To keep clear of cowboys and too-good-to-be-true quotes, here’s what to look for:
MCS accreditation – Even if your system tips over 50kWp and doesn’t technically need it, MCS is still the industry gold stamp.
Commercial experience – Fitting a few panels on a semi is not the same as kitting out a warehouse roof. Pick an installer who’s been there, done that, and can prove it.
Monitoring & performance tools – You want real-time visibility on output, so you know your system’s earning its keep.
Warranties that mean something – Look for 25 years on panels and 5–10 years on inverters as a baseline.
References & case studies – If they’ve delivered for businesses like yours, they should be able to show it.
At Heatable, we’ve built our name on making commercial solar simple for SMEs.
From design and permissions through to installation and aftercare, we cut through the jargon and keep things transparent.
The result? A solar system that delivers the savings you’re promised - and keeps doing so for decades.
Drawbacks worth knowing
We’re big fans of solar (obviously), but it’s not all sunshine and instant savings. A few realities worth clocking before you dive in:
Upfront hit – Even with tax breaks and incentives, you’re still talking tens to hundreds of thousands. It’s an investment, not a free lunch.
Roof reality check – Some roofs just aren’t up to it, whether it’s lack of space, awkward angles, or not enough strength to take the load.
Planning red tape – If your site’s listed or sat in a conservation area, you’ll likely need extra approval. Nothing fatal, just a slower dance with the council.
Grid headaches – Local capacity can limit how much you export, unless you invest in export-limiting kit or on-site storage.
Install disruption – Scaffolding will go up, there’ll be some short shutdowns, and yes, the car park might look like a builder’s yard for a bit.
The flipside? All of these hurdles are manageable with the right installer. Go in with eyes open, and you won’t get caught by surprises.
Are commercial solar panels worth it?
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer: if you’re a business with a roof and an energy bill, it’s hard to find a better investment.
With paybacks as short as two years on large installs (and typically under six for SMEs), solar gives you returns of up to 45% - numbers most other boardroom investments can only dream of. And once the system has paid for itself, it keeps generating free power for another 20+ years.
Panels are designed to last 25–30 years, with only minimal upkeep, so they’ll keep humming away long after you’ve forgotten what they cost.
The value isn’t just financial either. Solar cuts tonnes of carbon, strengthens your ESG credentials, and shows customers, investors, and staff that you’re a business looking forward, not clinging to the past.
In a world where energy prices bounce around like a yo-yo, solar is one of the few ways to lock in certainty and take control.
Put bluntly: commercial solar is one of those rare moves that saves you money, wins you brownie points, and helps the planet - all at the same time.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why:
Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.
Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.
Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.
Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.
Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
