Commercial Solar Panels

Solar panels for commercial and business premises

More and more enterprises are benefiting from installing commercial and business solar panels to help reduce energy bills and their carbon footprint.

More businesses than ever are turning to solar energy to help cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. For over a decade, Low Carbon Energy has provided a wide range of energy-saving solutions to business, delivering more than 12MW (48,000 panels) across the UK and Ireland, installing systems from 10kW to 2MW on all types of roofs, often in challenging environments.

Commercial solar PV in the UK & Ireland

From our Lancashire HQ and Galway base, we help customers make significant savings on their energy bills, cut their carbon footprint, meet their sustainability objectives and secure their energy supply for years to come.

One recent client success story is the 100kWp system we installed for Irish Water, saving over 52 tonnes of CO₂ and generating nearly 88,000kWh of clean electricity each year. Read more about this project, and others, in our case studies.

Get a quote for solar panels.

Financial benefits of solar for businesses

Solar energy enables businesses to reduce their reliance on the National Grid, stabilise costs and even profit from any surplus energy sold back to the grid. With prices now up to 70% lower than in 2010, and minimal maintenance required, solar panels typically pay for themselves within a few years.

Environmental benefits of solar panels for commercial premises

Solar panels play a crucial role in lowering carbon emissions, especially for energy-intensive industries (EIIs). They also help demonstrate your environmental commitment which is increasingly a key factor for customers, investors and stakeholders focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainability.

Roof mounted business solar panels

Roof-mounted solar panels are ideal for industrial sites and warehouses, making use of unused space that generally would have gone unutilised. Installation size depends on available space and energy needs and most systems do not require planning permission, as the majority of them fall under the category of Permitted Development. However, this is different in the case of listed buildings or protected sites, but our friendly team of experts we can provide advice and support in all cases.

Ground-mounted installations

Ground-mounted systems are more regulated than roof-mounted solutions, but still practical. Installations must meet size and distance requirements to minimise their impact and we can help you navigate planning and compliance from the outset. As a guide, the size of the array should be no more than 9 square metres, or 3m wide by 3m deep. Additionally, they must be installed at least 5m from the boundary of a property.

The Government’s planning portal states that a ground mounted solar installation “should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area”.

Get in touch with us for more information on 01282 421 489.

Why Install Solar Panels For Your Business?

Whatever industry you operate in, solar energy can help you cut costs, reduce emissions and secure your long-term energy supply. With energy prices rising and no signs of slowing, commercial solar is a powerful solution for long term financial and operational stability.

Why Invest In Solar PV?

Enjoy a levelised cost of electricity (potentially as as low as £0.03/kWh) for your energy
Significantly reduce your energy usage and spend
Returns of up to (and in excess of) 20%
100% asset finance available
Meet your CSR objectives
Secured electricity for 25 years
Low maintenance
Minimal disruption to your business

Business Solar Installation Case Studies

Boohoo PLC
Find Out More
Drax Power
Find Out More
Coach House
Find Out More

View All Case Studies

Customers who have taken control of their
energy with Low Carbon Energy

Why use commercial solar panels for your business?
Commercial solar panels offer a sustainable way to reduce costs and cut carbon emissions.

Most businesses operate during daylight hours when solar panels generate the most power, making them a natural fit for cutting energy costs. While energy-intensive industries (such as manufacturing) see the biggest savings, the benefits make solar energy an effective solution for most businesses.
The benefits of commercial solar panels?
There’s no shortage of advantages for businesses when it comes to solar panels. At a glance, the main benefits include:
- Considerable cost savings
- Financial stability and energy security/flexibility
- A greatly reduced carbon footprint
- Improved public perception of your business through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
To expand upon these in a little more detail…

Considerable Cost Savings For Your Business

A newfound ability to generate clean, free energy during daytime hours allows you to be less reliant on the National Grid, which is facing increasing pressure to effectively meet UK demand. Though the exact level of savings can shift back and forth over time, many businesses have been able to slash their energy costs by as much as half.

Financial Stability And Energy Security/Flexibility

For a little while now energy prices have been steadily on the rise, which means more cost for your business later on down the line. However, by sourcing your energy from commercial solar panels, you’re effectively forward-buying your electricity at a set cost. This gives you a great measure of protection from fluctuating market prices and provides an extra safeguard against the effects of future regulation, making financial forecasting much easier. As well as this energy security, solar panels also give you increased flexibility on whether to use this energy immediately, sell it or store it for use at a later date.

A Greatly Reduced Carbon Footprint

Many modern businesses are finding that their energy demand is only increasing over time, as digital processes and automated equipment take more and more traditional roles from humans and manual methods. That makes carbon footprint a major item on our collective agenda, and it’s a concern neatly addressed by the use of commercial solar panels. Installing solar PV can considerably cut down on your business’ carbon emissions, allowing you to optimise your sustainable business strategy.

Improved Public Perception Through CSR

On a related note, growing environmental concern across the globe means that businesses now have more responsibility than ever to make sure their operations are having minimal environmental impact. (This is what Corporate Social Responsibility refers to.)

Today, consumers are more environmentally-aware than ever before, and research continues to show that they’re attracted most towards businesses who are able to prove their commitment to environmental initiatives. Using commercial solar panels to produce your energy is a great public demonstration of this commitment, and can result in improved lead generation and greater sales for your business.
How much do solar panels cost businesses?
Smaller commercial PV systems start around £10,000, with larger setups ranging from £40,000 to £200,000+. Costs vary by site size, energy use and extras including batteries or EV chargers.

This covers:
- supply and installation of your solar panels
- Inverter and isolators
- Cabling
- Testing and certification
- Administration costs, including registration with regulators and your supplier
If you can’t afford this though, don’t worry! There’s a wide variety of finance options and ways to pay when it comes to commercial solar panels.

Are finance options available?

Yes, finance and funding options are available. Funding options include:
- 100% Finance – our network of finance partners allows us to offer competitive options tailored to suit your business
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with no upfront costs
- Flexible leases or hire purchase agreements
- Free Solar – a low-cost, flexible, unsecured loan
Do I need planning permission?
Most roof-mounted systems fall under Permitted Development. Exceptions apply for listed buildings or sensitive sites, but our team are on hand to advise on the permissions you need.
How efficient are solar panels?
Panels typically operate at 15–22% efficiency – enough to generate significant savings and carbon reductions. All panels Low Carbon Energy supply are rigorously tested to UK standards.

What affects solar panel efficiency?

Factors that often affect efficiency include weather, shading, panel orientation and build quality. Our systems undergo strict performance and durability testing, and we offer maintenance plans to ensure ongoing performance.
Why Choose Low Carbon Energy As Your Solar Panel Installers?
Our specialists have decades of experience installing successful solar panel solutions for businesses in a huge range of sectors across the UK and Ireland. We combine industry-leading equipment with peerless expertise as we tailor our solutions to meet your exact requirements, allowing you to get the very most from your on-site energy generation.

We offer our clients a fully comprehensive turnkey service, right from the initial planning stages all the way through to the final installation. We can work alongside architects, lead contractors and building consultants, co-ordinating our approach with other professionals to get your project completed on budget and on schedule.

Low Carbon Energy also offer a comprehensive service and maintenance programme with a focus on ensuring your solar panels reliably stay at maximum efficiency, so you can continue enjoying peak energy generation and cost savings.

We believe in keeping an open, friendly approach with our customers, and our experts are always happy to answer any questions you might have, no matter how simple or complex they may be.

Give us a call today on 08456 808 963 (or the alternative number above if you’re based in Ireland) to discuss what we can do for your business. Alternatively, take a quick look through our case studies below to see what we’ve achieved for previously satisfied customers.

What’s included in our installation?
- Panels, inverters and mounting systems
- Cabling and isolators
- Testing, certification and admin processes (e.g. registration)
- Optional maintenance packages
How long do solar panels last?
The average commercial solar panel lasts for at least 25 years, and many have been known to surpass 30, so you can rely on them to help you cut your energy bills (and carbon footprint) for decades. That doesn’t mean they’ll stop working once this time is up – it just means that this is the time when they’ll be working at peak efficiency.