Commercial solar panel installation – what are the financial benefits for businesses?

money-2696219_1280.jpg.jpg

Let’s talk money! As energy costs continue to rise and environmental concerns grow, more businesses are turning to commercial solar energy – not just for sustainability, but for the significant financial advantages it offers.

Whether you’re looking to cut monthly outgoings, increase your green credentials, or secure long-term savings, solar power is a smart investment.  

Saving money on business energy bills 

Usually the most significant factor in businesses choosing commercial solar is the impact that solar energy has on electricity costs.

Where power generated on site is utilised on site, there is an instant saving on your energy bill. Power that you may usually have paid 35p/kWh for has now cost you nothing.

If you use 1,000kWh of solar power, that’s a £350 saving straight away! Over a year, this saving is significant, especially if you’re a particularly high energy user.  

Tip: Maximise your savings. Is there anything you can do during daylight hours that you’d usually do once the sun goes down? Can things be charged or cycled whilst the sun is shining? Remember – the more power you use while your solar is generating, the bigger the saving on your bill. 

Revenue from solar panel installation 

Now that we’ve seen the savings, let’s look at the potential revenue. Once your system is installed, you may be able to register for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), a solar incentive program currently available in the UK.  Once registered with your chosen licensee, your export will be metered and payments made for any units exported to the grid. 

Tip: You don’t have to register for SEG with the company you currently buy your power from. It’s always worth shopping around to see which company can offer the best rates at the time of your application.

Solar tax relief  

As an added benefit to the savings and revenue of your solar installation, in most instances businesses can claim 100% first-year capital allowances on solar panel investments under the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA). This allows you to deduct the full cost of solar equipment from taxable profits. 

Tip: Speak to your company accountant to check your eligibility and for further information. 

Commercial solar panel installation cost 

In short, there’s no fixed cost for installing solar panels. From an installation perspective, it depends on the size of array, type of roof and ease of access.

Manufacturer quality and prices can vary greatly which is also a big factor in the cost of installation. Following a site visit, a firm quotation can be issued so you’ll know exactly how much the solar installation will cost.  

Tip: When obtaining comparative quotations, to ensure like for like, make sure the companies are using the same manufacturers.

Solar panel grants 

Solar grants for businesses these days are quite rare, however there are some pockets of money that may be available to you. Some Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and Growth Hubs offer bespoke funding or low-interest loans for renewable energy projects. These are often region-specific and may include match funding. 

Tip: Contact your local council directly to find out what finding may be available in your area.

Solar panel financing  

Where funds may not be readily available to install solar panels on your premises, financing may be an option. Whilst some banks offer favourable rates on ‘green’ loans, asset financing is often a cost-effective option. Our partners at Premier Asset Financing will be able to talk through your options and offer competitive rates.  

Tip: Once a finance offer has been issued, the additional cost can be worked into our proposal to give a more accurate overall payback.  

Solar Power Purchase Agreements 

In some instances where the building is rented, installation of solar may not be possible as a direct investment. In this case, if your landlord is willing to install, you could arrange what’s called a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This is an agreed price per kWh, so you can benefit from energy cost security whilst your landlord receives a fixed return on their investment.  

Tip: Check out our case study for a tenanted site we completed where both parties are delighted with the installation benefits. Better still – share it with your landlord! 

Whether you have funding and are looking to install ASAP, or are at the start of your solar journey trying to find your way, we’re happy to help guide you and provide support and information. Contact our solar team today for more information.  

Enjoyed this? Read more from Thompson Contracts Blackpool

Latest news

1

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire BAE Typhoon ECRS Mk2 Radar

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire

28 Oct 2025

2

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold The Mill at Conder Green

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold

28 Oct 2025

3

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm PM+M promotions

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm

27 Oct 2025

4

Celebrating 20 years of connecting the county LBV 20 Celebration Guests

Celebrating 20 years of connecting the county

27 Oct 2025

5

BAKO named 'Supplier of the Year' at awards BAKO Supplier of the Year

BAKO named 'Supplier of the Year' at awards

27 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event
Holiday Inn Hotel
Networking
28 Oct 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event

Holiday Inn, Blackpool

16:46 - 16:45

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin