How much does commercial solar cost?
Priced June 2026
Commercial rooftop solar runs £900–£1,200 per kWp installed — so a 50kWp system is ~£42,000–£60,000. Payback is often 5–8 years.
Businesses use most generation on-site during the day, so commercial payback typically beats domestic.
Commercial solar cost by system size
Cost per kWp falls as systems get bigger. These are typical UK installed prices for commercial rooftop arrays:
| System | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30kWp | £27,000 | £31,000 | £36,000 |
| 50kWp | £42,000 | £50,000 | £60,000 |
| 100kWp | £80,000 | £95,000 | £110,000 |
| 250kWp | £190,000 | £225,000 | £260,000 |
| System | Installed cost | Per kWp | Annual output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30kWp | £27,000–£36,000 | ~£1,033/kWp | 25,500 kWh/yr |
| 50kWp | £42,000–£60,000 | ~£1,000/kWp | 42,500 kWh/yr |
| 100kWp | £80,000–£110,000 | ~£950/kWp | 85,000 kWh/yr |
| 250kWp | £190,000–£260,000 | ~£900/kWp | 212,500 kWh/yr |
Tax relief makes the real cost lower
Commercial solar usually qualifies for capital allowances, letting a business offset much of the spend against taxable profits — so the effective cost is below the headline figure. Confirm the exact relief with your accountant.
Costs by building type
Roof type, structure and use change the install, so costs vary by sector. For sector-specific pricing and case studies see specialist guides on commercial solar installation, warehouse solar, office building solar and farm solar.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial solar system cost in the UK?
Commercial rooftop solar typically costs £900–£1,200 per kWp installed, so a 50kWp system is around £42,000–£60,000 and a 100kWp system £80,000–£110,000. Larger systems cost less per kWp.
Can businesses claim tax relief on solar panels?
Yes — commercial solar usually qualifies for capital allowances, and businesses can offset much of the cost against taxable profits. The exact relief depends on your tax position, so confirm with your accountant.
What is the payback on commercial solar?
Because businesses use most generation on-site during working hours, commercial payback is often faster than domestic — frequently 5–8 years depending on energy use and roof.