Benefits
Future-Proof Your Business Energy Strategy
Energy volatility is now a persistent risk for UK firms, with electricity costs, carbon reporting, and EPC standards vital to business stability. Commercial building roofs are assets that can generate energy, boost compliance, and improve resilience when integrated effectively.
Cut Your Electricity Bills
Generate power on-site and reduce reliance on fluctuating grid prices. Solar helps stabilise long-term operating costs and shields against future tariff hikes.
Improve Your Energy Rating
On-site renewable generation can enhance your building’s EPC performance and overall energy profile, helping to position your property more favourably in a tightening regulatory environment.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Solar directly reduces scope 2 emissions by decreasing grid electricity use. It offers measurable environmental benefits that enhance ESG reporting and sustainability goals.
Increase Property Value
Energy-efficient, self-generating buildings are becoming more appealing to investors and tenants. Solar power can boost asset desirability, support rental positioning, and enhance long-term capital value.
Stay Ahead of the Regulations
Energy standards and EPC requirements keep evolving. Installing solar now helps shield your building from future compliance pressures and lowers the risk of expensive reactive upgrades.
Make Your Roof Work Harder
From solar to bio-solar solutions, your roof can provide energy efficiency, biodiversity benefits, and long-term asset resilience without sacrificing waterproof integrity.
Ballasted Flat Roof Systems
Designed for large commercial and industrial buildings, ballasted systems enable secure installation without penetrating the waterproofing layer. Ideal for warehouses, distribution centres, and retail estates where structural integrity and minimal disruption are priorities.
Lightweight Integrated Solar Systems
For roofs with loading limitations or refurbishment projects benefit from lightweight solutions that reduce structural demand while maintaining performance. They are especially suitable for older buildings and metal deck structures.
Solar Façade Systems
Vertical solar installations offer extra generation capacity in areas where roof space is limited or architecturally restricted. They are suitable for commercial developments aiming for integrated energy design.`
Solar Glazing & Architectural Integration
Solar glazing facilitates energy production within atriums, walkways, and entrance structures. These systems blend architectural functionality with renewable performance.
Solar Funding Options
Grants and Funding for Commercial Solar
Access to funding can significantly strengthen the economic case for commercial rooftop solar. While the availability of direct grants varies by sector and eligibility, a range of structured funding and finance options are available to support installation without straining capital expenditure. From government-backed decarbonisation schemes to Power Purchase Agreements and fully funded delivery models, solar investment can be aligned with your organisation’s financial strategy as well as its energy goals.
CAPEX Purchase
Pay upfront
With a capital purchase, your organisation funds the system upfront and keeps full ownership of the asset. All electricity savings stay within the business, which usually offers the strongest long-term financial return. This option is most suitable for organisations with available capital and control of the building over the long term.
Pay as You Save
Leasing options
Under a lease or pay-as-you-save arrangement, the system is financed through staged payments over a specified period. Energy savings from on-site generation help offset those repayments, reducing the need for significant upfront capital. This method can safeguard cash flow while ensuring the solar installation remains fully integrated with your building.
Fully Funded PPA
Power purchase agreement
A Power Purchase Agreement involves third-party funding and ownership of the solar installation. Your organisation agrees to buy the electricity generated at a predetermined rate, which is usually lower than grid prices. This removes the need for capital expenditure, although the long-term financial return is lower than with an ownership model.
Solar Funding Comparison Tool
Explore how different funding structures influence cashflow, payback and lifetime performance before progressing to a detailed roof-specific quote.
Additonal Support & Incentives
Sometimes, organisations can access government-supported decarbonisation schemes, regional funding programs, or tax incentives. Their availability depends on the sector, eligibility requirements, building type, energy demand, and project scope, and should be evaluated accordingly.
Funding Must Match the Roof
Solar funding decisions should mirror the condition of the roof itself. If the waterproofing is nearing the end of its lifespan or structural upgrades are necessary, these issues should be addressed before or alongside the solar installation. Financing a system on a roof that is not fit for purpose can lead to unnecessary risk and extra costs.
Installation & Maintenance
From Survey to Commissioning, We’ve Got You Covered
Every commercial solar project begins with the roof. Structural capacity, waterproofing condition, and remaining roof lifespan must be evaluated before panels are installed. Allbase Solar oversees the entire process, from initial survey to commissioning, ensuring that solar integration supports long-term roof performance as well as energy output.
Survey and suitability checks
We confirm what’s viable on site before any design decisions are locked in.
- Roof condition, access and shading checked
- Inverter location and cable routes reviewed
- Orientation and pitch confirmed for accurate modelling
- Suitability outcome and practical next steps
- Constraints flagged early to avoid surprises
- Inputs gathered for a realistic estimate
System design and yield estimate
Survey inputs become a clean layout, sensible sizing, and transparent assumptions.
- Panel layout based on usable area and setbacks
- Inverter selection and optional battery sizing
- Yield estimate produced from site inputs
- Outline design summary and system specification
- Yield explained in plain language
- Options only where they add real value
Quotation and savings model
Clear scope, lead times, and a savings estimate tied to your electricity-rate assumptions.
- Scope and inclusions defined clearly
- Programme and lead times confirmed
- Savings model built from design assumptions
- A transparent quote with deliverables
- Indicative payback and annual saving estimate
- Simple route to approve and schedule
Installation and on-site works
Planned installation with staged checks, designed to keep disruption low.
- Mounting, panels and electrical connections installed
- Inverter and battery fitted where specified
- Integrity and isolation checks completed
Commissioning, monitoring and handover
Testing, monitoring setup, and a walkthrough so you can see performance from day one.
- Commissioning and functional testing
- Monitoring/app setup and walkthrough
- Final checks and sign-off documents
- Monitoring ready immediately
- Handover pack and guidance notes
- Support route if anything looks off
Aftercare, monitoring checks and maintenance
Ongoing support plus planned maintenance options to help protect performance and keep everything working as intended.
- Support interpreting monitoring and performance
- Guidance on usage patterns and battery settings
- Maintenance visits available for inspections and checks
- A clear support route and response expectations
- Optional maintenance plan to keep systems running well
- Advice on add-ons and future upgrades
Solar FAQs for Commercial Roofs
Planning a commercial rooftop solar project raises practical questions about roof suitability, funding, installation, and long-term performance. This section addresses the most common queries we receive from business owners, facilities managers, and property stakeholders, helping you understand what’s involved before proceeding to a survey or quotation.
Most pitched, flat and low-slope roofs can be assessed for suitability. Key factors include roof condition, remaining waterproofing lifespan, available space, shading, and structural capacity.
Not always. If the waterproofing system is approaching the end of its lifespan, it’s usually best to refurbish it first or include roof works in the project, so the solar system isn’t installed on a roof that will soon need attention. Check our roofing renewal program for more information.
Most commercial installations are planned to minimise disruption, with access, delivery routes, and working hours agreed upon in advance. The aim is to keep operations running as normally as possible.
Timescales vary depending on site size and complexity, but the process usually spans from survey and design to installation and commissioning, with clear milestones agreed upon before work begins.
Common routes include CAPEX purchase, lease/pay-as-you-save, and PPAs. Depending on your organisation, there may also be tax incentives or sector-specific decarbonisation funding.
Your daytime electricity consumption, export arrangements, roof orientation and shading, system size, and your tariff are all factors. That’s why using the full calculator provides the most accurate site-specific projections.
Yes. Biosolar systems can combine PV with green roof build-ups where the roof design and structural loading are appropriate. Find out more about our bio solar and green roof options.
Yes. Allbase Solar projects are carried out nationwide by approved teams.
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