With energy costs rising and commercial solar panels providing a typical payback period of three to five years on a 25-30 year asset, the commercial case for solar panel installation is stronger than ever.
Think about what you’re paying for electricity from the grid, compared to what you’d pay (and save) if you created your own. Grid electricity for UK commercial users has fluctuated around 20p and 27p per kWh this year. Compare that to around 4-6p per kWh for solar-created electricity with a well-specified solar system over an average life span for 25-30 years.
On average annual savings can be up to £15,000 a year, which could rise even higher in large premises, or if you have higher daytime energy consumption.
Commercial solar panel installations qualify as capital assets under UK tax rules. Which means you can cover the cost of installations against taxable profit in the year you bought them under capital allowances. Depending on your situation and installation you could see significant savings from year one. We recommend you confirm your allowances and relief potential with an accountant or tax advisor first.
Most commercial solar panel installations in the UK payback within three to five years. We’ve seen initial rates of return around 15-+25% annually. A 100kWp system installed at around £70,000-£100,000 could create savings and export income that returns your full investment within four years. Everything after that is ROI on a typical lifespan of up to 30 years.
If your solar installation creates more electricity than you need you can sell it back to the national grid using the Smart Export Guarantee and earn money per kWh. You can also use REGO certificates to prove your sustainability credentials.
Commercial buildings are increasingly subject to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulation on minimum EPC ratings. Commercial solar panel installation can improve your building’s EPC and have a direct impact on lease renewals, asset valuations and energy compliance.
The price of commercial solar panel installations is based on installed capacity measured in kilowatts-peak (kWp). One kWp is about the capacity of three to four rooftop panels. Every business or organisation will be different based on your current situation and goals. Carrying out an initial analysis will help us to give you a more accurate estimate of your costs.
Commercial solar installations are significant investments so you’ll want to know your options when it comes to financing the capital expenditure. There are a number of finance options available that you could use.
You fund the installation fully and own the system from day one, receiving all the benefits of energy savings, income and capital allowances. This is one of the most common routes for businesses and organisations with the available capital or finance and typically delivers the highest rate of return over the system’s lifespan.
You spread the cost of your solar installation with a commercial finance agreement, making payments usually monthly or quarterly. You have a few options between operating leases, finance leases and hire-purchase agreements. Your accountant or finance advisor can let you know which is the best option for you.
Some government and local authority grants could be available depending on where your premises are based or the industry you’re in. It’s worth investigating all your options and we could potentially advise you based on your circumstances.
Construction sites often rely on diesel due to delayed grid connections, driving up costs, noise, and emissions. Cornerstone Group delivers construction-phase solar solutions that reduce diesel usage by up to 60%, lower on-site emissions, and provide reliable power throughout the build.
Cornerstone holds the relevant industry accreditations including MCS certified installer, NICEIC approved contractor, RECC member, CHAS accredited and design and commissions systems inline with BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations so you can be confident your project is handled to the highest standards.
We manage every stage of your project in-house from site assessment, system design, DNO application, installation, commissioning and handover. You deal with one team to avoid delays from third-parties and ensure better co-ordination during your project.
We design every commercial solar system to be modular and scalable to adapt and scale to your site’s energy needs now and in the future. This allows you to add to your system, like adding EV charging infrastructure, with minimal disruption to your system.
See exactly how your commercial system is performing from energy generation data, savings and export income all in real-time. Any anomalies in performance are flagged so you can investigate further.
A battery energy storage system allows you to save and store any surplus solar energy and use it later when panels aren’t producing electricity (like at night).
BESS installation along with a commercial solar installation increases your self-reliance and reduces grid dependency even more. It can also protect you against any unexpected issues with supply from the national grid. If you’ve got any time-of-use electricity tariffs, battery storage could also be charged from the grid during low-rate periods.
Cornerstone Group can integrate battery storage systems as part of your solar installation projects.
Active construction sites often use diesel generators for power in the times between initial groundworks and grid connection. These short-term requirements can create significant costs and carbon emissions.
Cornerstone Group delivers temporary solar power solutions for construction sites, reducing diesel consumption by up to 60% during the build phase. All temporary systems are designed to integrate with welfare units, site offices and any short-term electrical infrastructure and can be cleanly removed at the end of your project.
You can reduce operating costs, lower on-site emissions and support Considerate Constructors scoring from day one of your project.
Get the specific numbers for your site so you can see exactly how much you could benefit from a commercial solar panel installation.
Our thorough site surveys give you exact system specifications, an accurate installation cost and estimates for your annual savings along with a payback projection based on what you’ll actually need.
Does commercial solar power work in the UK climate?
Yes, solar PV is powered by light intensity rather than direct sunlight or temperature so panels can generate electricity all year, including on days that are overcast. In the UK we get enough solar irradiance to make commercial panels a worthwhile investment. And because solar panels are made with self-cleaning glass, it means any rainfall can actually keep your panel clean and support better energy production.
What maintenance does a commercial solar system need?
Most commercial systems benefit from an annual inspection and clean, and need very little additional maintenance in most cases. Solar PV systems have no moving parts, which means they’re reliable and have low maintenance needs. Cornerstone Energy has O&M packages to help you comply with insurance company requests.
Can we continue to operate during the installation?
We do everything we can to ensure your installation causes minimal disruption to your daily operations. Because we handle everything in-house we’re able to easily coordinate everything and can often complete projects without you needing to close or reduce operations.
How long will your commercial solar panels last?
Commercial solar panels are a long-term investment and a properly specified and installed commercial system can perform well for 25-30 years with minimal maintenance.
Performance warranties on quality commercial panels usually guarantee between 85-87% rated output at year 30, so you’ll still be getting significant savings at the end of your system’s warrantied lifetime.
The only ongoing maintenance or replacement consideration is your system’s inverter, but this is usually planned in during your regular planned maintenance.
Your system can benefit from annual inspections and cleaning, especially in any environments that are dusty or have lots of bird activity that could impact your panels.
20 Swan Street
Manchester
M4 5JW
330 Fouroaks Road,
Walton Summit
PR5 8AP