Commercial Solar by Sector

UK-wide solar analysis for 15 commercial and industrial sectors. Each page shows typical system sizes, consumption profiles, self-consumption rates, and planning trends.

Solar for warehouses

Logistics and storage facilities with large, unshaded roofs — typically the highest-yielding rooftop sites in the UK commercial stock.

250-2000 kWp typical·45% self-consumption

Solar for logistics

Distribution centres, haulage depots, and last-mile fulfilment sites. Often part of large industrial estates with grid capacity.

500-5000 kWp typical·60% self-consumption

Solar for manufacturing

Production facilities with significant daytime electricity demand — strong match for self-consumption PPA structures.

300-3000 kWp typical·80% self-consumption

Solar for food & beverage

Food processing, cold storage, beverage bottling. High baseload and refrigeration demand — self-consumption typically exceeds 75%.

250-2000 kWp typical·80% self-consumption

Solar for agriculture

Farms, dairies, glasshouses, and agri-processing. Often eligible for ground-mount solar in addition to rooftop.

100-1000 kWp typical·60% self-consumption

Solar for retail

Retail parks, supermarkets, DIY and big-box stores. Strong daytime self-consumption profile.

150-750 kWp typical·70% self-consumption

Solar for hotels

Hotels and hospitality estates with 24/7 baseload and significant hot-water demand — solar pairs well with battery storage here.

80-500 kWp typical·55% self-consumption

Solar for healthcare

Hospitals, care homes, and clinics. 24/7 demand profiles and long-term occupancy make PPA attractive.

150-1500 kWp typical·75% self-consumption

Solar for education

Schools, colleges, universities. Weekday-heavy consumption with summer-holiday caveats — contract structure matters.

100-800 kWp typical·55% self-consumption

Solar for public sector

Council buildings, emergency services, public services. Often covered by framework PPA vehicles.

100-600 kWp typical·65% self-consumption

Solar for offices

Commercial office estates. Daytime demand profile aligns well with solar generation curve.

50-500 kWp typical·60% self-consumption

Solar for leisure

Leisure centres, gyms, event venues. Variable demand but often rural sites with generous roof and grid access.

80-600 kWp typical·50% self-consumption

Solar for automotive

Dealerships, vehicle service centres, automotive manufacturing. Mix of retail and industrial energy demand.

100-800 kWp typical·65% self-consumption

Solar for data centres

Data centres with enormous 24/7 baseload — solar only ever covers a fraction of demand but grid-offset value is strong.

1000-10000 kWp typical·95% self-consumption

Solar for construction

Builders' yards, concrete plants, plant hire depots. Industrial estates with significant rooftop area.

100-700 kWp typical·55% self-consumption