Logistics & Haulage
Commercial Solar for Logistics and Haulage Sites
Logistics is one of the UK's most energy-intensive commercial sectors — and one of the fastest at decarbonising. Solar at the depot, paired with EV truck charging, is now standard for forward-leaning operators.
200kW–1MW
Typical system
4–6 yr
Payback
£60k+
Annual saving (250kW)
Scope 1
Direct emissions cut
UK haulage and logistics businesses face a triple decarbonisation pressure: customer Scope 3 emission requirements, the 2035 ICE-truck phase-out, and the ESOS Phase 4 reporting cycle from 2027. Solar at the depot is the highest-ROI move for most operators — and pairs cleanly with the inevitable transition to electric trucks.
The Logistics Solar Use Case
A typical UK haulage depot has:
- An office building (5,000–20,000 ft²) — base electrical load for IT, lighting, cooling.
- A workshop or maintenance bay (5,000–25,000 ft²) — high transient load for compressors, lifts, lighting.
- A vehicle wash, refuelling area, and increasingly an EV truck charging compound.
- Total commercial electricity consumption: 150,000 kWh–2,000,000 kWh/year.
The roof areas are often substantial (workshops are typically large, single-bay buildings) and solar pairs naturally with the EV transition.
Sub-Sectors
- General haulage (Eddie Stobart, Wincanton, Maritime, Bibby)
- Parcel & courier (DPD, Hermes, DHL, Royal Mail, Amazon Logistics)
- Cold-chain logistics (Reed Boardall, Magnavale, Nichols)
- Supermarket distribution own-fleets
- Removals & relocation (Pickfords, Britannia)
- Construction & plant logistics (M Group, A-Plant)
- Fleet leasing depots (Arval, Lex Autolease, ALD)
Solar + EV Truck Charging — The 2026 Default
UK truck operators are progressively transitioning from diesel to battery-electric. The Mercedes eActros, Volvo FH Electric, DAF XF Electric, and MAN eTGX are deployed in volume from 2026. A 7.5t–44t electric truck typically needs:
- 250–600 kWh of overnight charge (44t at 80% from 20% SoC)
- 150–350 kW DC fast chargers at depot
- Predictable daily charge cycles aligned to the rest period
Solar on the depot roof generates 200–800 kWh/day per 100kW installed — directly offsetting either the daytime depot load or the evening EV charging cycle. Battery storage shifts midday solar to evening charging, turning the depot into a private EV refuelling hub.
Why Logistics Customers Now Demand Solar Evidence
Major UK shippers (Tesco, John Lewis, M&S, Royal Mail, NHS) require carbon disclosure from their logistics partners as part of Scope 3 emissions reporting. Operators with documented on-site renewable generation gain procurement advantage.
Typical Project: 250kW Depot Solar
- System size: 250kW (550 panels)
- Roof area used: ~1,400 m² (typical workshop + office combined)
- Annual generation: ~237,500 kWh
- Self-consumption: 75%
- Year-1 saving: £62,000–£68,000
- Install cost: £215,000–£260,000
- Simple payback: 3.5–4.0 years
- 25-year saving: £1.6M+
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UK haulage depots good for solar?
Yes. Depot workshops have large flat roofs, daytime workshop loads, and increasingly EV truck charging — three factors that drive strong solar economics. Typical paybacks of 3.5–5 years.
How does solar work with EV truck charging?
Solar generates during the day; trucks charge during rest periods. Battery storage between solar and chargers smooths timing. Integrated solar + battery + DC charger systems are designed for depot operators.
Can solar offset Scope 1 fleet emissions?
Direct fleet emissions are Scope 1. Solar offsets the electricity used to charge electric vehicles — that does reduce Scope 1 emissions by displacing the alternative diesel use as fleets electrify. Solar also reduces Scope 2 emissions (depot grid electricity).
How big a solar system fits a typical UK haulage depot?
Most depots accommodate 100kW–800kW depending on workshop and office roof area. Hyperscale 3PL depots often install 1MW+.
What grants apply to logistics solar?
Standard UK incentives apply: the AIA (100% first-year tax deduction), SEG export income, and VAT recovery for VAT-registered businesses (commercial installs are standard-rated; 0% VAT is domestic-only). The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund closed in July 2025 with no successor, and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has had no open window since November 2024.
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