50kWp Commercial Solar System
from £45,000exVAT
Save around £15,000 per year for your typical Office.
100kWp Commercial Solar System
from £85,000exVAT
Save around £30,000 per year for your typical Warehouse.
200kWp Commercial Solar System
from £160,000exVAT
Save around £60,000 per year for your typical Industrial unit.
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All of our systems are tailored to your requirements.
What size solar system do I need for my business?
To determine the size of the solar system your business needs, several critical factors must be taken into account, we’ll walk through the factors that impact the size of the solar system your business needs, helping you make an informed decision what size solar system you need for your business's unique energy requirements. All of our quotations are tailored for your business and you can trust that we will advise you the best system for your requirements.
Your Business's Energy Consumption
The first and most important factor is your current energy usage. This data provides a baseline for how much power you need the solar system to generate.
To assess this, we look at your electricity bills from the past 12 months (ideally we will be provided with half-hourly data from your smart meter). On each bill, the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) your business has consumed will be provided. It's essential to analyze a full year's worth of data to account for seasonal variations in energy use, such as increased air conditioning during summer months or additional lighting in winter.
For example, if your business uses 10,000 kWh of electricity annually, this figure will serve as the basis for determining the size of your solar system.
Available Space for Solar Panels
The amount of roof or land space available to install solar panels is another crucial factor. Solar panels are typically installed on rooftops, but they can also be mounted on the ground if space permits.
The power output of solar panels is directly related to the number of panels you can install. For example, a small roof may limit the total capacity of your solar system, potentially necessitating more efficient (and more expensive) panels to meet your energy needs.
Typically it takes about 4 square meters of space for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power. Higher efficiency or bi-facial panels can be useful if roof space is limited.
Sunlight Exposure and Location
The amount of sunlight your business location receives will have a direct impact on how efficiently your solar system generates power. Businesses in areas with abundant sunlight will require fewer panels to generate the same amount of electricity as those in less sunny regions.
For example, a business located in Kent or Summerset will benefit from more sunlight hours compared to one in Edinburgh. Our bankable-grade software will accurately determine the output of the system that we design, informing you how much solar energy can be harnessed at your location.
Not all solar panels are created equal. Higher-efficiency solar panels will produce more electricity in the same amount of space than lower-efficiency models. If space is limited or you want to maximize the energy produced by each panel, you may opt for higher-efficiency or bi-facial panels, though they tend to be more expensive upfront.
Battery Storage
Another factor to consider is whether or not you want to include battery storage as part of your solar energy system. Battery storage allows your business to store excess energy generated during the day for use during non-sunlight hours or during power outages.
Including batteries in your solar setup will increase the overall size and cost of the system. However, it can help ensure uninterrupted power for your business and reduce reliance on the grid during peak hours when electricity costs are higher.
Typically, we do not recommend battery storage with our systems since the capital cost is prohibitive to a commercially viable ROI, however ever business is unique and it is always something to consider.
Future Energy Needs
While your current energy usage provides a solid starting point for calculating solar system size, it’s also important to consider your business's future growth and energy needs. If you plan to expand operations, hire more employees, or add energy-intensive equipment, it may be wise to size your solar system larger than your current usage would suggest.
Anticipating growth will allow your solar system to meet your energy needs for years to come, reducing the need for costly upgrades or additional installations in the future.
In particular EV charging loads should be considered since these are often high and becoming increasingly popular.
Cost Considerations
Once you have a rough estimate of the size of the solar system you need, you can start considering the costs. The cost of a commercial solar installation can vary based on the system size, location, equipment quality, and installer.
On average, commercial solar systems cost around £1k/kWp. Each kWp generates around 900kWhs/annum in the UK. So a simple starting point is to take your annual consumption / 900 to establish your system size. For example, a business consuming 500,000kWh, would install a 555kWp system, costing £550,000.
For most businesses, this figure will reduce your energy bill by around 50%, presenting an ROI of around 20% per annum., and paying for itself in 2-4 years (factoring in energy price inflation).