Commercial Solar

Commercial solar panels UK

Commercial solar designed around your energy demand.

3Phase helps UK businesses reduce long-term electricity costs with commercial solar solutions designed around energy usage, roof suitability, tariff exposure and future infrastructure plans.

Assess your solar potential

Commercial Solar Calculator

Calculate Your Potential Savings

Use your annual electricity spend, sector and postcode to create an indicative commercial solar estimate. The figures are a starting point only, but they help frame whether a detailed solar assessment is worth reviewing.

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Indicative Results

Calculate Your Potential Savings

See how much your business could save with solar.

Your Potential Savings

Indicative commercial solar estimate based on typical consumption patterns.

Estimated Annual Savings£0per year

Estimated System Size0kWp

Carbon Reduction0tonnes CO2e per year

Results are indicative and based on typical commercial consumption patterns, sector load profiles and regional generation assumptions. A full 3Phase assessment reviews half-hourly data, roof condition, grid position and operational use to produce accurate figures.

Evidence-led design

A proper solar proposal starts with the business case, not the panel count.

Commercial solar for businesses should be modelled against how electricity is actually used on site. A strong proposal considers annual consumption, half-hourly energy data, operating hours, roof condition, grid connection, funding preference and whether future EV charging or battery storage will change demand.

For suitable sites, solar panels for businesses can create a long-term hedge against rising electricity prices by generating power where it is consumed. The aim is not simply to install the largest possible system. The aim is to design commercial solar panels around the financial case, the building and the operational needs of the business.

Commercial Solar At A Glance

Built for long-term commercial decision-making.

25+

25+ year expected system lifespan

Funding options available

Battery storage compatible

EV charging ready

Commercial solar funding

Funding Commercial Solar

Every business has a different view on capital, cash flow and ownership. 3Phase helps decision-makers compare commercial solar funding routes before choosing whether to buy, finance or use a commercial solar PPA.

Funding route
Capital Purchase
Asset Finance
Solar PPA
Upfront cost
Highest upfront cost
Spread over agreed finance terms
No upfront capital for qualifying sites
Ownership
Business owns the system
Route to ownership depends on finance structure
Funded partner owns the system during the agreement
Cash flow impact
Capital is committed early
Payments are spread
Designed to protect working capital
Best suited to
Businesses with available capital and long-term site control
Businesses wanting ownership with staged payments
Businesses wanting commercial solar without buying the system
Maintenance responsibility
Usually the system owner
Depends on finance and service agreement
Usually included within the funded route

Commercial solar installation process

Commercial Solar Installation Process

01

Assessment

Energy spend, demand profile, roof condition and grid position are reviewed.

02

Design

The system is sized around real consumption, access and operational constraints.

03

Funding Review

Capital purchase, asset finance and solar PPA options are compared.

04

Installation

Works are planned around safety, access and any required shutdown windows.

05

Monitoring

Generation and system performance are tracked after installation.

06

Optimisation

Future battery storage or EV charging demand can be considered over time.

Commercial reasons

Why Businesses Invest In Commercial Solar

01

Reduce electricity costs

Generate electricity on site where the business can use it directly.

02

Improve energy resilience

Plan generation, storage and demand around the site’s operating needs.

03

Support EV charging

Prepare for workplace, fleet or visitor charging demand.

04

Improve ESG reporting

Support carbon reduction activity with a visible infrastructure plan.

05

Reduce price exposure

Create a long-term hedge against rising energy prices where the site is suitable.

Wider energy planning

Building Smarter Commercial Energy Infrastructure

Commercial solar is often the first step in a wider energy plan. For many UK businesses, the stronger long-term strategy brings rooftop generation together with commercial battery storage, workplace and fleet EV charging infrastructure.

Commercial rooftop solar panels for a UK business premises

Commercial Solar

Reduce imported electricity and create a long-term hedge against rising business energy costs.

Learn More

Commercial battery storage containers supporting energy resilience

Battery Storage

Support energy resilience and prepare sites for more flexible electricity use.

Learn More

commercial EV charging infrastructure at a business site

Commercial EV Charging

Plan commercial EV charging for staff, fleet, visitors and future site demand.

Learn More

Business types

Commercial Solar For Different Business Types

The best commercial solar projects are matched to the way the site operates. 3Phase helps managing directors, finance directors, operations managers, facilities managers and commercial property owners understand whether solar, storage or charging infrastructure fits the business case.

Manufacturing

Reduce high daytime electricity demand with on-site solar generation.

View sector

Warehousing

Use large roof spaces to support lower-cost energy generation.

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Logistics

Plan solar, storage and fleet charging around depot operations.

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Agriculture

Support high-use rural sites with generation and resilience planning.

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Retail

Lower operating costs across trading hours and multi-site estates.

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Hospitality

Offset energy-intensive kitchens, accommodation and leisure facilities.

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Education

Use campus roof space to support budgets and carbon reporting.

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Care

Plan lower-cost electricity for care homes and high-use facilities.

View sector

Aerial view of Billericay Town FC stadium with solar panels on the stand roof

Commercial Solar Case Study

46kWp solar installation at Billericay Town FC.

3Phase is delivering a 46kWp commercial solar PV system at New Lodge, home of Billericay Town FC. The project is PPA funded by HDM Energies and supports the club with lower-cost renewable electricity and reduced operational energy costs.

System size46kWp Commercial Solar PV
Funding routePPA funded by HDM Energies
Site typeSports and leisure site
DeliveryDelivered with Eco Edge

View The Case Study

Direct advice

Speak directly to the team.

3Phase is led by Jo Thorne and Craig Edwards. You can contact the right person directly if you already know what you need help with.

Jo Thorne, Director at 3Phase

Jo Thorne

Jo Thorne

jo@threephase.co.uk

Commercial Energy Projects, Solar PPA Funding and Project Delivery

Craig Edwards, Director at 3Phase

Craig Edwards

Craig Edwards

craig@threephase.co.uk

Commercial Solar, Battery Storage and Energy Infrastructure

Commercial solar FAQs

Questions businesses usually ask before a proposal.

How much does commercial solar cost?

Cost depends on system size, roof condition, access, electrical works, grid requirements and funding route. A proper proposal should model the commercial case before price is treated as meaningful.

Can commercial solar work on a leased building?

Yes, but landlord consent, lease length, roof responsibility and access rights need to be reviewed before a commercial solar installation can move forward.

What funding options are available?

Common routes include capital purchase, asset finance and commercial solar PPA funding. The right option depends on cash flow, ownership preference and site suitability.

What is a Solar PPA?

A Solar PPA is a power purchase agreement where a funded system is installed on a suitable site and the business buys the solar electricity generated under an agreed contract.

Is it better to buy the system or use Solar PPA funding?

Capital purchase may suit businesses that want ownership, while solar PPA funding can suit businesses that want on-site solar without upfront capital. Both routes should be compared commercially.

Can battery storage be added later?

Often, yes. Battery storage should be considered during the design stage so future electrical capacity, space and operating requirements are not overlooked.

Can commercial solar support EV charging?

Yes. Commercial solar can support workplace, fleet and visitor EV charging when the expected charging demand is included in the wider site energy plan.

Can Tesla charging be integrated with solar?

Commercial EV charging can be planned alongside solar and battery storage where the site, grid capacity and operating profile support the business case.

How long does commercial solar installation take?

Timelines depend on system size, survey findings, permissions, grid work, access and operational constraints. Installation should be planned around business continuity.

Do commercial solar panels need maintenance?

Yes. Commercial solar panels require monitoring and periodic maintenance so faults, underperformance and site issues are identified early.

Does commercial solar require planning permission?

Some projects fall under permitted development, while others need planning review. Building type, location, system size and site constraints should be checked before installation.

How long do commercial solar panels last?

Commercial solar panels are commonly expected to operate for 25 years or more, with performance, warranties and maintenance considered as part of the proposal.

Commercial Energy Assessment

Ready To Reduce Your Energy Costs?

Commercial solar, battery storage and EV charging solutions for businesses across the UK.

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