Commercial Solar Panels FAQs [2025]

Photovoltaic is a term that describes the conversion of light into electricity using materials that have the photovoltaic effect. It uses silicon crystals and wire conductors to make solar power. These are made into solar panels, which are connected to get the needed wattage. But in normal conversation photovoltaic means solar energy technology in a general sense.

Commercial solar is the use of solar energy to power businesses, such as factories and offices. Commercial solar panels are usually bigger than residential ones, because they need to capture more sunlight and produce more electricity. The most common types of commercial solar panels are Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline solar panels, which are also used in homes. By switching to solar energy, businesses can lower their energy bills and their environmental impact.

Saving money is the main reason why businesses in the UK go solar. You can lower your energy bills and use the extra cash for other things. Current UK Government incentives make it even better. Going solar is good for the environment too. It lowers the carbon footprint of the business, and many people care about that and choose where to work or buy based on that information. Setting these solar energy goals early will make the solar research easier. It will help with the proposal and ROI (Return On Investment) analysis when you talk to a solar design team, like NXTGEN Energy Ltd.

Commercial solar is not the same for everyone. Each solar PV system is different. The price depends on your solar energy goals and your building details. For example, roof space, and infrastructure. How much energy do you use during the day or the night? How much tax do you pay and can solar incentives help? These and other factors affect the cost and the energy output of commercial solar panels. A good commercial solar consultant, like the team at NXTGEN Energy can help you with the process and give you a savings and cost estimate that matches your goals and facility.

Cutting costs is always a good idea for any business in the UK. Solar energy is a great option for that. It may seem pricey at first for your business, but it pays off in the long run. The advantages of solar panels are much bigger than their cost.

Most businesses and community buildings can install solar panels without planning permission, as long as they follow some rules. These rules are meant to reduce the visual impact of the solar panels on the building and the local area.

For example, the solar panels should not stick out too much from the roof or the wall, or be too close to the edge. They should also not face a road in some protected areas, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ground-mounted solar panels should not be bigger than 9m2.

However, some buildings or sites that are historically important, such as listed buildings or ancient monuments, need planning permission to install solar panels. The same applies to solar PV systems that are larger than 50kW.

If you are not sure about the planning requirements for your solar panel installation, you can always ask us at NXTGEN Energy. We have years of experience in the solar industry and we can help you with any solar questions.

A solar battery can store the excess electricity that your solar panels produce, so you can use it later when you need it. This can be useful if your business works outside normal business hours or has a large rooftop that can generate more solar power than you use. However, not every business needs a solar battery. It depends on how much energy you use and when. To find out if a solar battery is right for you, you can book a free consultation and survey with us at NXTGEN Energy. We will design a commercial solar PV system that suits your needs. Call us today on 01268 928 690 to book!

The UK wants to cut its CO2 emissions to zero by 2050. It offers some grants and incentives to help businesses use more solar energy, save money and reduce their carbon footprint. These include:

Low Carbon Workspaces: Up to £5,000 for low-carbon upgrades, such as solar panels, for small and medium businesses in some areas of England.
Power Purchase Agreement: No upfront cost for solar panels installed and maintained by an investor. The business can buy the solar electricity at a cheaper rate than the National Grid.

To learn more, contact us at NXTGEN Energy. We can help you go solar, save money and the planet. Call us on 01268 928 690 today.

The cost of a commercial solar panel installation varies depending on the project size, energy usage and extras, such as batteries or EV chargers. Contact us for our latest commercial solar package prices, which include:

– Solar PV panels supplied and installed by NXTGEN Energy
– An inverter, isolators and cabling
– Testing and certification, including MCS Certification

You can also benefit from UK Government grants, schemes and finance options that make commercial solar panels affordable and green for your business.

Solar is a great option if your business has a large roof or land area, and plans to stay on the site for at least the next 10 years. It is best if the business owns the property or has a long-term lease on it.

UK businesses can save tax by installing solar panels on their buildings. This is called capital allowances on solar panels. The UK government gives this tax break to promote green energy and lower carbon emissions for UK businesses.

You can save VAT on both solar panels and installation. But there are some exceptions. For instance, you need to use the same provider for both the solar panels and the installation, like NXTGEN Energy, your solar energy partner!

Solar panels on residential homes are tax free. But businesses and landlords have to pay tax on them. They are income tax or corporation tax in the UK.

Many factors affect this question. For example, your building size, your energy usage, and how much you want to offset. A system that offsets 70% of your energy costs will be bigger than one that offsets 30%. A good commercial solar company, like NXTGEN Energy can help you find the right commercial solar PV system size for your goals.

Your solar savings depend on many things. The main ones are your energy use and peak time. These show how much you can offset and how much you pay for power. Then we check your roof space and facility infrastructure. The more panels you can fit, the more you can save. To estimate your savings, we add your energy use and subtract your roof’s production potential. Other factors are the panel efficiency, roof direction, and local energy prices.

Solar prices have not changed much lately. Solar panels are very efficient now and will not improve much more due to the limitations of the technology. But price and efficiency are not everything. There are big UK Government solar incentives that will vanish soon, and energy prices are going up all the time. So the real question is: how much money will you miss out on by waiting for small changes in price and the efficiency of solar panels?

Solar works for most buildings with strong roofs and enough space for panels and racking. For small buildings with less roof space, ground mounts are an option. You need to own the building. If you rent it or lease it, the owner must agree to the commercial solar panel installation.

You can choose from many solar panels for your business. You need to consider size, price, wattage, warranty, durability, and manufacturer stability. Lower wattage solar panels are cheaper, but need more roof space. Higher wattage panels are more expensive, but need less roof space. A good commercial solar consultant, like the team at NXTGEN energy can help you find the best price and savings.

Solar panels do not work if the National Grid is down. This is for technical and regulatory reasons. Technically, solar panels make power when the sun is up. They send extra power to the National Grid for a credit. They get power from the National Grid when they need more. This is a balance. Commercial solar helps you buy less power in the day and save money. Regulations are the other reason. Solar arrays can be dangerous for repair crews if they send power to the National Grid during outages. So energy rules say solar arrays must shut down when the National Grid is down.