How much can you really save with solar?

Businesses, councils, schools and more are all reaping the benefits of renewable energy solutions.A well-designed commercial solar PV system allows organisations to:

• Generate electricity on-site
• Reduce imported grid electricity
• Protect against price volatility
• Lower long-term operating costs

In many cases, solar electricity is cheaper than purchasing from the grid over the system’s lifetime. With electricity prices remaining volatile, solar provides cost certainty for 25 years or more. In this article, we explore:

1. Commercial solar savings
2. Public sector solar savings
3. Farming solar savings
4. School solar savings
5. Using a solar PV carbon savings calculator
6. Speak to Low Carbon Energy
7. FAQs

Commercial Solar Savings

Pendle Frozen Foods, based in Nelson, Lancashire, were keen to reduce the running costs of their frozen food warehouse. They decided to invest in one of our 111 KW solar panel systems – which delivered results that surpassed expectations.

The solar PV system saw the company benefitting from an annual FIT income of £24,000 while saving 50 tonnes of CO2 per year. Furthermore, the company is now generating 88,000 kWh a year at less than 2p per kWh.

Typical commercial benefits include:

• Reducing grid electricity consumption by 20 to 50 percent
• Annual savings ranging from £15,000 to over £250,000 depending on scale
• Payback periods commonly between 3 and 7 years
• Long-term internal rate of return that outperforms many traditional investments

Because businesses typically operate during daylight hours, solar generation aligns well with consumption. This maximises self-consumption and improves financial returns.

Public Sector Solar Savings

Keen to enhance the local economy, Rossendale Borough Council made the switch to solar. Opting for a 100 KW solar panel system, it wasn’t long before they began to reap the rewards.

The council are now generating 85,000 kWh a year at less than 2p per kWh. Prior to this, they were paying 11p per kWh. Furthermore, CO2 emissions have been dramatically reduced and the council now receive an annual FIT income of £9,200.

NHS facilities, council buildings, and government estates often have:

• Large roof areas
• Consistent weekday demand
• Long-term occupancy

Public sector installations can deliver:

• Significant reductions in electricity spend
• Greater budget certainty
• Long-term cost control without fuel price exposure

Savings can be reinvested into frontline services, making solar not only an environmental decision but a strategic financial one.

Farming Solar Savings

The owners of Hollies Farm, in Marchwiel, Wrexham, loved the environmental and financial benefits of solar. The many benefits of solar PV saw the owners invest in a 50 KW solar panel system.

The solar panels have given the owners an additional FIT income of £6,000 while also helping them save on energy bills. They went from paying 11p per kWh to less than 2p per kWh – just from installing solar panels!

Energy-intensive agricultural activities include:

• Refrigeration
• Ventilation systems
• Grain drying
• Milking parlours
• Irrigation

Solar reduces operating costs while stabilising long-term energy expenditure. Farms can often offset a substantial portion of daytime electricity demand, improving overall business resilience.

Schools Solar Savings

St Michael’s CE Primary School, in Grimsargh, near Preston, invested in a 30 KW solar panel system from Low Carbon Energy.

The new solar PV system has seen the school generate an annual FIT income of £6,500 while saving 14 tonnes of CO2 per year. The school is now generating 24,000 kWh per year at less than 2p per kWh.

Solar installations on schools can:

• Reduce electricity bills
• Lower carbon emissions
• Provide long-term budget certainty
• Support sustainability education initiatives

Depending on system size and energy usage, schools can achieve meaningful annual savings while demonstrating visible climate leadership within their communities.

Using a Solar PV Carbon Savings Calculator

If you want to find out how much money you could save with solar, why not try the Energy Saving Trust calculator? The Solar Energy Calculator estimates the fuel bill savings you could make as well as payments you could receive from the Feed-in Tariff. You could also give the team at Low Carbon Energy a call to find out more. We can discuss potential costs and share the other benefits that you can expect to get when switching to solar. Solar PV carbon savings calculators estimate potential benefits, typically considering:

• System size
• Location and solar irradiance
• Annual generation
• Grid carbon intensity
• Electricity prices

While calculators provide useful estimates, detailed feasibility assessments are more accurate. Professional modelling accounts for:

• Load profiles
• Roof orientation and shading
• Electrical infrastructure
• Self-consumption rates

Accurate forecasting strengthens investment decisions and supports transparent carbon reporting.

Speak to Low Carbon Energy

If you’re looking for other easy ways to save money on your energy bills, why not invest in LED lighting. Offering savings of up to 60% on your lighting bills, LED lighting helps you save money and power while also helping the environment.

Have you invested in any of our renewable energy services? If so, what difference have you noticed to your energy bills? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @LowCarbonEnCo

FAQs

How much can you save with solar?

Savings depend on system size and electricity usage. Commercial installations can save tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds per year, while schools, farms, and public buildings also achieve meaningful reductions in operating costs.

How much can solar panels save on average?

For businesses with high daytime demand, solar can reduce grid electricity consumption by 20 to 50 percent. The financial impact depends on current electricity prices and system performance.

How much carbon do solar panels save per kWh?

CO2 saved per kWh solar equals the carbon intensity of the grid electricity displaced. In the UK, this is typically between 0.15 and 0.25 kg CO2 per kWh.

How much CO2 do solar panels save each year?

A medium-sized commercial system can save hundreds of tonnes of CO2 annually. Larger installations deliver proportionally greater carbon reductions.

Are online solar savings calculators accurate?

Tools such as the Energy Saving Trust solar energy calculator provide helpful estimates. However, a professional solar PV carbon savings calculator using site-specific data will give more accurate projections.