Office solar insights
Articles, guides, and analysis on solar PV for UK office buildings.
Economics
Why office buildings hit higher self-consumption than warehouses
Office demand profiles match PV generation almost perfectly — here's why self-consumption is the single biggest economic lever in commercial solar.
Compliance
MEES 2030 and office buildings — the £6 billion question
Around 21% of UK office stock currently sits below EPC B. Here's what MEES 2030 means for landlords, occupiers, and the £6bn capex bill ahead.
Battery storage
Battery storage for offices — when it pays back and when it doesn't
The economics of adding battery storage to an office solar installation: TRIAD avoidance, DUoS red-band shifting, capacity market revenue, and when it stops making sense.
Sizing
How many solar panels does an office building need?
A simple framework for sizing solar PV on office buildings — based on actual load profile, not square-metre rules of thumb.
Planning
Planning permission for solar on commercial offices — what you actually need to know
Permitted development, prior approval at 50kWp, listed buildings, and conservation areas — the planning route for office solar in 2026.
ESG
Scope 2 emissions and office solar — what your sustainability report needs
How on-site solar reduces Scope 2 emissions under the GHG Protocol, and what reporting documentation FTSE-tenant audits expect to see.
EV charging
Workplace EV charging and solar — why they belong together
OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme grants, daytime EV charging from solar generation, and the integrated business case for offices.
Finance
Solar PPA vs asset finance vs cash — what works best for office buildings
Four ways to fund office solar in 2026, and how to pick between them based on lease length, balance sheet, and exit strategy.
Economics
Are commercial solar panels worth it for offices in 2026?
A direct answer to the most common UK office solar question, with worked-out economics across five typical building profiles.
Business case
How to write the board business case for office solar
A structured template for the board capex paper that gets office solar projects approved, with the financial framing decision-makers actually want.
Cost
How much do commercial solar panels cost in the UK in 2026?
Real installed costs per kWp for UK commercial solar in 2026, with tier breakdowns by system size and a worked office example.
O&M
Office solar maintenance — what an O&M contract actually covers
What's included (and what isn't) in commercial solar Operations & Maintenance contracts, and how to evaluate proposals.
Quality
Commercial solar warranties — what to look for in 2026
The four warranty layers on commercial solar installations, what they cover, and how to evaluate installer claims.
Project management
Office building solar — the 12-month timeline from feasibility to commissioning
A realistic 12-month timeline for a typical UK office solar project, with dependencies and the steps that drive schedule.
Economics
Smart Export Guarantee tariffs for offices — what to expect in 2026
Comparison of UK Smart Export Guarantee tariffs in 2026, how to pick the right one for an office solar install, and what export revenue to expect.
Carports
Are solar carports worth it for office buildings?
Solar carport economics for UK office buildings: when canopy structure premium pays back, integration with workplace EV charging, and the design considerations.
EPC
Solar PV vs LED lighting — which delivers a bigger EPC uplift?
Head-to-head comparison of solar PV and LED relighting as EPC improvement measures for UK commercial office buildings.
Insurance
Solar PV insurance for office buildings — what you need to know
Insurance considerations for commercial office solar installations: building insurance impact, public liability, business interruption, and IWA.
Technical
What is the 120% rule for commercial solar panels?
The 120% rule (DC-to-AC ratio) explained for UK commercial solar designers and procurers — what it means, why it matters, and the trade-offs.
PPA
What is a Solar PPA and is it right for your office building?
Solar Power Purchase Agreements explained for UK office occupiers and landlords — how they work, when they win, when they don't.
Risk
Why are some businesses removing solar panels?
The reality behind solar panel removal stories — what causes it, how often it happens, and how to avoid it on a commercial install.