Commercial Solar Panels in Manchester
MCS-certified commercial solar installer serving businesses across Greater Manchester. Systems from 10kW to 250kW+. Cut energy bills by up to 70%, claim 100% Capital Allowances, and generate income from surplus power.
70%
Bill reduction potential
4–8 yrs
Typical payback
0% VAT
On all commercial solar
25%
Full Expensing tax relief
Commercial Buildings We Install Solar On
Offices and business parks
20–100 kW
Warehouses and logistics units
50–250 kW+
Retail units and supermarkets
20–150 kW
Industrial and manufacturing
50–500 kW+
Schools and universities
20–100 kW
Farms and agricultural buildings
30–250 kW
Hotels and leisure facilities
20–100 kW
HMOs and apartment blocks
10–50 kW (common areas)
Small commercial units
10–30 kW
Commercial Solar System Sizes and ROI
Commercial solar ROI is typically faster than residential because businesses consume more electricity during daylight hours — increasing self-consumption and reducing payback time.
| System Size | Annual Output | Annual Saving (25p/kWh) | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kW | 8,500–10,000 kWh | £2,125–£2,500 | 6–8 years |
| 30 kW | 25,500–30,000 kWh | £6,375–£7,500 | 5–7 years |
| 50 kW | 42,500–50,000 kWh | £10,625–£12,500 | 5–7 years |
| 100 kW | 85,000–100,000 kWh | £21,250–£25,000 | 4–6 years |
| 250 kW | 212,500–250,000 kWh | £53,125–£62,500 | 4–5 years |
Output based on Greater Manchester irradiance (950 kWh/kWp/year). Actual figures depend on self-consumption rate, roof orientation, and shading.
Financial Incentives for Commercial Solar
0% VAT on installation
Solar panel installation is zero-rated for VAT in the UK. Businesses pay no VAT on the full system cost.
Full Expensing (Capital Allowance)
Deduct 100% of the solar system cost in the year of purchase. A £100,000 system costs £75,000 net at 25% corporation tax.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
Surplus electricity exported to the grid earns 15–24p/kWh via your electricity supplier.
Smart Export Guarantee for businessesEnhanced EPC rating
Solar installations improve a building's EPC rating — important for commercial landlords under MEES requirements.
Finance options
Commercial solar can be financed via asset finance, lease, or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — no capital outlay required.
Flat Roof and Pitched Roof Commercial Installations
| Roof Type | Installation Method |
|---|---|
| Flat roof (ballasted) | Weighted mounting frames — no roof penetrations. Panels tilted to 10–15° to optimise output. Most popular for commercial flat roofs. |
| Flat roof (mechanically fixed) | Brackets fixed directly to the roof structure — better for high-wind locations or lightweight roofs. |
| Metal/cladding roof | Rail-and-clamp system fixed to roof purlins through the cladding. Very common on warehouses and industrial units. |
| Pitched tile/slate | Standard rail-and-hook mounting, as per residential installation. |
| Ground-mounted | Steel frame on concrete or screw-pile foundations. Used where roof space is limited. May require planning permission. |
Grid Connection for Commercial Systems
Commercial solar systems above 3.68 kW (per phase) require a G99 application to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) — Electricity North West in Greater Manchester. Greentech manages the full DNO application process as part of the installation contract.
| System Size | DNO Process |
|---|---|
| Up to 3.68 kW/phase | G98 notification only — inform DNO, proceed immediately |
| 3.68 kW–50 kW/phase | G99 application — typically 8–16 weeks to approve |
| 50 kW–1 MW | G99 with engineering assessment — 12–24 weeks typical |
| Above 1 MW | Transmission-level connection — separate process with National Grid |
Commercial Battery Storage
Pairing solar with commercial battery storage maximises self-consumption and can unlock additional revenue through demand response and grid services.
Demand shifting
Charge batteries from solar during the day, discharge during evening peak hours when grid electricity costs more.
Demand charge reduction
Batteries can cap peak demand, reducing demand charges on commercial tariffs.
Grid services (FFR/BM)
Large battery systems (250 kWh+) can participate in National Grid frequency response, generating additional income.
Backup power
Battery + solar provides partial backup during grid outages — essential for data-critical operations.
EV charging integration
Commercial batteries can buffer EV charging loads, avoiding grid upgrade costs for multiple charge points.
Why Choose Greentech for Commercial Solar?
MCS Certified
Required for SEG registration and most commercial finance/grant applications.
In-house design team
We size systems using half-hourly consumption data from your smart meter — not rule-of-thumb estimates.
Single-contract delivery
Survey, design, DNO application, scaffolding, installation, commissioning, and monitoring — one team, one contract.
Commercial experience
Installed on warehouses, schools, offices, and multi-tenancy commercial properties across Greater Manchester.
Monitoring and O&M
All commercial systems include a monitoring portal. We offer ongoing O&M contracts for larger sites.
Finance introductions
We introduce you to specialist commercial solar finance brokers offering asset finance, lease, and PPA structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
Commercial Solar UK
Our national commercial solar service overview.
Residential Solar Manchester
Solar panel installation for Manchester homes from £4,999.
Battery Storage
Commercial and residential battery storage systems.
Heat Pumps Manchester
Air source heat pump installation with £7,500 BUS grant.
Solar Panel Costs UK
Complete pricing guide for solar panel systems.
SEG Best Rates
Smart Export Guarantee rates for commercial export.
