The Commercial Solar Installation Process
Quick Answer
What is the commercial solar installation process from start to finish?
The commercial solar installation process runs through eight stages: enquiry and desk feasibility, on-site survey, system design and proposal, DNO grid application, contract and scheduling, physical installation, commissioning and energisation, then monitoring and aftercare. From signed contract to a live, exporting system most UK projects take 6 to 16 weeks — the single biggest variable is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) connection approval, not the rooftop works.
Installs under 50kWp can connect under G98 notification (notify-and-go), while systems of 50kWp and above need a full G99 application with a typical 65-working-day DNO determination window. Panel mounting itself usually takes only a few days to two weeks on a single roof.
Complete guide to the commercial solar panel installation process. From site survey to commissioning — understand every stage, timeline, and what to expect.
Installing commercial solar panels is a carefully managed process designed to deliver maximum performance with minimum disruption. This guide walks you through every stage so you know exactly what to expect.
8 Stages
Steps
6-16 Weeks
Timeline
Minimal
Disruption
Your Installation Journey, Step by Step
Every commercial solar project follows a proven eight-stage process, from your first enquiry through to long-term monitoring and support.
Typical Project Timelines
How long your project takes depends primarily on system size and the DNO application process. Here are typical timelines from signed contract to energisation.
What You Need to Provide
To get your project moving quickly, it helps to have the following information ready. Do not worry if you are missing some items — we can work with what you have and gather the rest during the survey stage.
Why Businesses Choose Us
Installation Process FAQs
Related Resources
Ready to Get Started?
The first step is a free, no-obligation conversation about your energy goals. Request a callback or site survey and we will guide you through the entire process.
Highlights
- MCS certified with extensive commercial experience
- Full project management from survey to commissioning
- DNO applications and grid connections handled for you
- Dedicated aftercare and remote monitoring included
- Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
- 25-year performance guarantees on all installations
- Cost Guide 2026
- Detailed pricing for every system size
- /commercial-solar-installation-costs
- Solar Calculator
- Model your specific savings instantly
- /commercial-solar-calculator
- Financing Options
- PPA, lease, and purchase compared
- /commercial-solar-panel-financing
- Grants & Incentives
- Available UK funding and tax relief
- /commercial-solar-grants
- Free no-obligation site survey
- Bespoke system design and proposal
- Full project management included
- Typically installed within 6-16 weeks
The Commercial Solar Installation Process, Stage by Stage
Understanding the commercial solar installation process up front removes the two things business owners worry about most: disruption to trading and uncertainty over timescales. A well-run project is sequenced so that survey, design, grid approval and procurement all advance in parallel where possible, and the physical install — the only stage that touches your premises — is compressed into the shortest practical window.
The process breaks into eight distinct stages:
- 1. Enquiry & desk feasibility — we model your roof from satellite imagery and 12 months of half-hourly (HH) meter data to size the array against your actual load profile, not a guess. A 100kWp system (£75k–£105k) typically suits a 1,500–2,000m² roof.
- 2. On-site survey — a structural and electrical check: roof condition, purlin spacing, asbestos screening, switchgear capacity, and a route for the DC and AC cabling back to your distribution board.
- 3. System design & proposal — bespoke string layout, inverter selection, shading analysis, a yield estimate (≈950–1,000 kWh per kWp in the South, ≈880 in the North), and a fixed-price quote with modelled payback of 4–7 years, or roughly 3–4.5 years once Annual Investment Allowance relief (a roughly 25% cash benefit at the 25% corporation-tax rate) is applied.
- 4. DNO grid application — G98 notification below 50kWp; a full G99 application (≈65 working days) for 50kWp+ exports. We handle the paperwork with your network operator — UKPN, NGED, SSEN, ENWL, Northern Powergrid, SP Energy Networks or SP Manweb depending on your region.
- 5. Contract & scheduling — works booked around your operating hours; scaffold and access arranged.
- 6. Installation — mounting, panels, inverters, isolators and cabling. A single-roof commercial install runs from a few days to about two weeks.
- 7. Commissioning & energisation — testing, MCS certification, your G98/G99 sign-off, and SEG export registration (8–20p/kWh).
- 8. Monitoring & aftercare — remote performance monitoring plus a 25-year performance warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a commercial solar installation take from start to finish?
What are the stages of the commercial solar installation process?
Do I need a DNO application for a commercial solar installation?
How much disruption does commercial solar installation cause to my business?
What do I need to provide before a commercial solar installation can start?
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