Commercial Solar Installers South West
MCS-certified commercial solar across Bristol, Plymouth, Exeter, Cornwall, Somerset and all of the South West. The UK's highest solar irradiance region — best ROI in England.
The South West is the UK's premier region for commercial solar return on investment. With Cornwall and Devon averaging over 1,100 kWh of solar irradiance per kWp per year — the highest in England — a commercial solar system generates more electricity here than anywhere else on the mainland. Combined with strong commercial electricity tariffs and the full range of UK tax incentives, South West businesses achieve some of the fastest solar payback periods in the country.
1,100+
kWh/kWp/yr Cornwall
~28p
Grid Rate per kWh
3.5–5 Yrs
Payback Period
460%+
25-Year ROI
South West Commercial Solar by Area
Bristol
Avonmouth, Aztec West, Filton
Bath
Oldfield Park, Bath Business Park
Exeter
Sowton Industrial, Exeter Business Park
Plymouth
Langage, Millbay, Estover
Cornwall
Hayle, Pool, Newquay Aerohub
Somerset
Bridgwater, Taunton, Yeovil
Wiltshire
Swindon, Salisbury, Melksham
Devon
Exeter, Plymouth, Barnstaple
Why the South West Has the Best Commercial Solar ROI in England
Solar irradiance is the single most important factor in commercial solar ROI — the more sunlight your panels receive, the more electricity they generate, and the more bill savings you accumulate every year. The South West's geography puts it ahead of every other English region:
- Cornwall: 1,100–1,120 kWh/kWp/yr — equivalent to parts of northern France
- Devon and Dorset: 1,080–1,100 kWh/kWp/yr
- Somerset and Bristol: 1,060–1,090 kWh/kWp/yr
- Wiltshire and Gloucestershire: 1,040–1,070 kWh/kWp/yr
In practical terms: a 100kW commercial solar system at Truro generates approximately 105,000–110,000 kWh per year — compared to around 90,000–95,000 kWh for the same system in Manchester. At 28p per kWh, the South West system delivers £4,200–£5,600 more in annual energy savings. Over 25 years, that's over £100,000 more value from the same capital investment.
South West Sector Strengths for Solar
Agriculture and Food Production
The South West is England's leading region for dairy farming, arable production, and food processing. Farms and food manufacturing sites have high, consistent daytime electricity loads — perfect for solar self-consumption. Farm buildings (barns, grain stores, milking parlours) typically present large, unobstructed roof areas that can accommodate systems of 100kW–500kW. Our partner CCS Heating and Renewables specialises in farm and food production solar across Cornwall and Devon.
Tourism and Hospitality
Holiday parks, hotels, and leisure centres across the South West are ideal solar customers. Daytime peak demand (heating pools, powering bars and restaurants, running laundry facilities) aligns perfectly with solar generation hours. A 200kW solar system on a mid-size holiday park in Cornwall saves approximately £54,000 per year and typically pays back in under 4 years.
Logistics and Distribution
The Avonmouth/Severnside industrial zone west of Bristol is one of the UK's busiest import/distribution hubs. Large flat-roofed logistics buildings here are ideal for large-scale solar: 500kW–2MW systems are common. Our partner D&R Energy handles commercial solar for logistics and manufacturing clients across Bristol, Somerset, and North Somerset.
Commercial Solar Costs — South West 2026
| Size | Cost | After AIA | Annual Saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50kW | £33,000 | £24,750 | £13,500 | 3–4 yrs |
| 100kW | £68,000 | £51,000 | £27,000 | 3.5–4 yrs |
| 250kW | £162,000 | £121,500 | £64,000 | 3–4 yrs |
| 500kW | £315,000 | £236,250 | £128,000 | 3–4 yrs |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does commercial solar cost in the South West?
A 100kW commercial solar system in the South West typically costs £69,000–£89,000 installed. After 100% Annual Investment Allowance at 25% corporation tax, the net cost falls to £52,000–£67,000. At the South West's average commercial electricity rate of 26–29p per kWh and with irradiance levels of 1,060–1,120 kWh/kWp/yr, payback is typically 3.5–5 years.
What solar irradiance does the South West receive?
The South West receives the highest solar irradiance of any English region. Cornwall and Devon average 1,100–1,120 kWh per kWp per year, Somerset averages 1,080–1,100 kWh/kWp/yr, and Bristol and Gloucestershire receive 1,050–1,080 kWh/kWp/yr. This means South West solar systems generate more electricity per installed kWp than almost anywhere else in England.
Do I need planning permission for commercial solar in the South West?
Most commercial rooftop installations in the South West qualify as Permitted Development. Exceptions include listed buildings (particularly prevalent in Bath, the Cotswolds, and many Devon and Cornish market towns), and installations in World Heritage Sites or AONBs. Ground-mounted systems above 500kW typically require full planning permission across the South West.
Which South West areas do you serve?
We cover the full South West: Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Key logistics and industrial centres include Avonmouth/Severnside, Exeter Business Park, Plymouth's Millbay and Langage, and the Newquay Aerohub Enterprise Zone.
What grants are available for South West businesses?
South West businesses can access AIA (100% year-1 tax deduction), Smart Export Guarantee, Industrial Energy Transformation Fund for eligible manufacturers, and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for NHS, schools, and councils. Cornwall and Devon also have access to UKSPF-funded business energy grants through their combined authorities.
Free Survey — South West
No obligation. Covering Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Cornwall and all of the South West.
Request Your Free Survey →Commercial Solar Across the South West: County-by-County
The South West receives the highest solar irradiance of any UK region — 4.0-4.2 peak sun hours per day in Devon and Cornwall, 3.9-4.1 in Somerset and Dorset. A 100 kWp system in Plymouth generates 85,000-90,000 kWh annually — significantly more than the same system in the Midlands or North of England. The financial returns on commercial solar in the South West are consequently among the strongest in the UK.
| County | DNO | Peak Sun Hours | Key Commercial Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | SSEN | 4.1-4.3 | Tourism, food/drink, agriculture, mining heritage |
| Devon | SSEN (west) / NGED (east) | 4.0-4.2 | Agriculture, tourism, logistics, healthcare |
| Somerset | NGED | 3.9-4.1 | Agriculture, food processing, defence (Yeovil) |
| Dorset | SSEN (west) / NGED (east) | 3.8-4.0 | Tourism, logistics, agriculture, aerospace |
| Wiltshire | NGED | 3.8-4.0 | Defence, logistics, food manufacturing |
| Gloucestershire | NGED | 3.7-3.9 | Aerospace (Filton), logistics, food |
| Bristol | NGED | 3.7-3.9 | Professional services, logistics, education |
South West Solar Grants and Regional Support
The South West benefits from a range of support mechanisms beyond UK-wide AIA and SEG. The Heart of the South West LEP and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP both operate business energy grant programmes. The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) has historically supported agricultural solar in the region. Cornwall benefits from Enhanced Capital Allowances for certain enterprise zone investments.
- ✓UK Shared Prosperity Fund: business investment support via local LEPs and growth hubs
- ✓Cornwall and Isles of Scilly: Local Industrial Strategy includes clean energy as priority sector
- ✓Salix Finance: 0% loans for public sector bodies throughout the South West
- ✓IETF (Industrial Energy Transformation Fund): grants for manufacturers above 250 kWh/tonne
- ✓South West Water: solar procurement programme for treatment works (large PPA/rental schemes)
SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) covers much of the western South West, including Cornwall, west Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire. Their distributed generation team has handled a high volume of commercial solar applications and has efficient processes for standard commercial G99 applications. NGED covers Bristol, Gloucestershire, east Somerset and east Devon.
Commercial Solar Across the South West: County-by-County
The South West receives the highest solar irradiance of any UK region — 4.0-4.2 peak sun hours per day in Devon and Cornwall, 3.9-4.1 in Somerset and Dorset. A 100 kWp system in Plymouth generates 85,000-90,000 kWh annually — significantly more than the same system in the Midlands or North of England. The financial returns on commercial solar in the South West are consequently among the strongest in the UK.
| County | DNO | Peak Sun Hours | Key Commercial Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | SSEN | 4.1-4.3 | Tourism, food/drink, agriculture, mining heritage |
| Devon | SSEN (west) / NGED (east) | 4.0-4.2 | Agriculture, tourism, logistics, healthcare |
| Somerset | NGED | 3.9-4.1 | Agriculture, food processing, defence (Yeovil) |
| Dorset | SSEN (west) / NGED (east) | 3.8-4.0 | Tourism, logistics, agriculture, aerospace |
| Wiltshire | NGED | 3.8-4.0 | Defence, logistics, food manufacturing |
| Gloucestershire | NGED | 3.7-3.9 | Aerospace (Filton), logistics, food |
| Bristol | NGED | 3.7-3.9 | Professional services, logistics, education |
South West Solar Grants and Regional Support
The South West benefits from a range of support mechanisms beyond UK-wide AIA and SEG. The Heart of the South West LEP and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP both operate business energy grant programmes. The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) has historically supported agricultural solar in the region. Cornwall benefits from Enhanced Capital Allowances for certain enterprise zone investments.
- ✓UK Shared Prosperity Fund: business investment support via local LEPs and growth hubs
- ✓Cornwall and Isles of Scilly: Local Industrial Strategy includes clean energy as priority sector
- ✓Salix Finance: 0% loans for public sector bodies throughout the South West
- ✓IETF (Industrial Energy Transformation Fund): grants for manufacturers above 250 kWh/tonne
- ✓South West Water: solar procurement programme for treatment works (large PPA/rental schemes)
SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) covers much of the western South West, including Cornwall, west Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire. Their distributed generation team has handled a high volume of commercial solar applications and has efficient processes for standard commercial G99 applications. NGED covers Bristol, Gloucestershire, east Somerset and east Devon.
Commercial Solar Across the South West: County-by-County
The South West receives the highest solar irradiance of any UK region — 4.0-4.2 peak sun hours per day in Devon and Cornwall, 3.9-4.1 in Somerset and Dorset. A 100 kWp system in Plymouth generates 85,000-90,000 kWh annually — significantly more than the same system in the Midlands or North of England. The financial returns on commercial solar in the South West are consequently among the strongest in the UK.
| County | DNO | Peak Sun Hours | Key Commercial Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | SSEN | 4.1-4.3 | Tourism, food/drink, agriculture, mining heritage |
| Devon | SSEN (west) / NGED (east) | 4.0-4.2 | Agriculture, tourism, logistics, healthcare |
| Somerset | NGED | 3.9-4.1 | Agriculture, food processing, defence (Yeovil) |
| Dorset | SSEN (west) / NGED (east) | 3.8-4.0 | Tourism, logistics, agriculture, aerospace |
| Wiltshire | NGED | 3.8-4.0 | Defence, logistics, food manufacturing |
| Gloucestershire | NGED | 3.7-3.9 | Aerospace (Filton), logistics, food |
| Bristol | NGED | 3.7-3.9 | Professional services, logistics, education |
South West Solar Grants and Regional Support
The South West benefits from a range of support mechanisms beyond UK-wide AIA and SEG. The Heart of the South West LEP and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP both operate business energy grant programmes. The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) has historically supported agricultural solar in the region. Cornwall benefits from Enhanced Capital Allowances for certain enterprise zone investments.
- ✓UK Shared Prosperity Fund: business investment support via local LEPs and growth hubs
- ✓Cornwall and Isles of Scilly: Local Industrial Strategy includes clean energy as priority sector
- ✓Salix Finance: 0% loans for public sector bodies throughout the South West
- ✓IETF (Industrial Energy Transformation Fund): grants for manufacturers above 250 kWh/tonne
- ✓South West Water: solar procurement programme for treatment works (large PPA/rental schemes)
SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) covers much of the western South West, including Cornwall, west Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire. Their distributed generation team has handled a high volume of commercial solar applications and has efficient processes for standard commercial G99 applications. NGED covers Bristol, Gloucestershire, east Somerset and east Devon.