Business & Farms
Commercial Solar and Battery Storage in Edinburgh
Quick answer: Commercial solar suits Edinburgh businesses that use most of their electricity in daylight, such as offices, shops, schools and Lothians farms. The value depends on daytime usage, your tariff, roof or land space and export. A no-obligation site survey measures each factor, and installation is carried out through MCS-certified partners.
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Business electricity is usually used when the sun is up, which makes commercial roofs some of the best places for solar in Scotland. We arrange surveys, design and installation for Edinburgh businesses, public buildings and Lothians farms. We install through MCS-certified partners.
Who it is for
- Offices and professional practices
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Retail and high-street shops
- Hotels, restaurants and hospitality
- Schools and community buildings
- Farms and estates in the Lothians
What we install
Commercial solar PV
Roof-mounted or ground-mounted arrays sized to your building, daytime load and grid connection.
Battery storage
Store surplus midday generation and use it later, or shift demand away from peak tariff hours.
EV charging
Workplace and fleet chargers that can run from your own solar generation during the day.
Heat pumps for larger buildings
Air source systems for offices, halls and farm buildings, designed from a full heat loss survey.
How savings work for a business
Every site is different, so we do not publish typical savings. What a system is worth to you comes down to four factors, each measured at survey:
Daytime usage
The more electricity you use while the sun is up, the more of your own generation you use directly instead of buying it from the grid.
Your tariff
Your unit rate, standing charges and any time-of-use pricing decide how much each kWh you generate or store is worth to the business.
Roof and land space
Available area, orientation, shading and roof structure set how large a system can be and how much it can generate across the year.
Export
Surplus electricity can be exported under a smart export tariff. Export rates are usually lower than import rates, so using power on site counts most.
How it works
No-obligation site survey
A surveyor reviews your roof or land, electrical supply, meter data and how the site uses power through the day.
Design
You receive a system design and written quote covering generation estimates, grid application and any planning points.
Installation
Work is carried out through MCS-certified partners, scheduled around your opening hours, livestock or production.
Aftercare
Commissioning, monitoring set-up and documentation, with warranty and guarantee terms confirmed in writing.
Finance: Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status.
Business enquiry
Tell us about your site and we will arrange a no-obligation survey.
Prefer to talk? 0141 230 0198
Commercial solar questions
Is solar worth it for an Edinburgh business?
For many businesses, yes. Solar works best where most electricity is used during daylight hours, such as offices, shops, workshops and farms with daytime loads. A site survey compares your half-hourly usage, tariff and roof space to show what share of your electricity panels could supply before you commit to anything.
Can you install solar on a farm or agricultural building?
Yes. Barns, sheds and agricultural buildings across the Lothians often have large roofs that suit solar, and ground-mounted arrays are possible where roof space is limited. Our partners check roof structure, grid connection capacity and how electricity is used on the farm, including dairies, grain drying and workshops, before designing a system.
Do we need a battery as well as solar panels?
Not always. A battery helps when your site generates more than it uses at midday, or when you want to shift usage away from peak tariff hours. Businesses that use most of their power in daylight may see little benefit. The survey models both options so you can decide with clear information.
Do commercial installations need planning permission or grid approval?
Many roof-mounted commercial systems fall under permitted development, but listed buildings, conservation areas and ground-mounted arrays may need planning consent. Larger systems also need approval from the local network operator before connection. Our installation partners handle the grid application and advise on planning, so you know what is needed before work starts.
How long does a commercial solar project take?
Timescales depend on system size and grid approval. A small business roof can often be fitted in a few days once designs are agreed, while larger sites take longer. The site survey, design and grid application usually come first, and your written quote sets out a realistic programme for your building.
Ready for your Edinburgh quote?
Tell us about your home in two minutes. We arrange a survey, then send a written quote.
No obligation · We install through MCS-certified partners · Scottish homes and businesses