Can I install solar panels on a leased commercial building?
Yes — solar can be installed on a leased UK commercial building, provided the landlord gives written consent, usually through a licence for alterations plus a roof licence or lease variation. The three normal routes are tenant-funded, landlord-funded with cost recovery, or a third-party PPA. A remaining lease term of at least seven years makes a tenant-funded system far easier to justify.
Last updated 18 September 2026.
Key facts at a glance
| Landlord consent | Required — licence for alterations, plus roof licence |
|---|---|
| Workable lease term (tenant-funded) | 7+ years remaining |
| Short lease alternative | PPA or landlord-funded install |
| Who keeps the savings | Whoever buys the electricity on site |
| Landlord benefit | Better EPC, MEES compliance, letting appeal |
| End of term | Agree removal, handover or transfer up front |
The three routes that work in practice
Tenant-funded: you pay, you own it, you keep the savings, and the lease documents what happens at expiry. Landlord-funded: the landlord pays and recovers through rent, a service charge or a green lease clause, which suits short tenancies and multi-let estates. Third-party PPA: a funder owns the system and sells you the electricity at a fixed rate, removing capex and usually the ownership argument with it.
What to settle before design starts
Six points decide whether a leasehold project runs smoothly: roof access and structural responsibility, who owns the equipment, who keeps generation savings and export income, insurance and maintenance obligations, rights of access for the installer and O&M team, and the end-of-term position — removal, handover at nil value, or purchase. Agreeing these in principle before survey saves weeks later.
- Check the lease for alteration, alienation and roof rights
- Confirm remaining term and any break clauses
- Establish whose meter the generation feeds
- Record consent in writing before ordering equipment
Related reading
FAQ
Can a landlord refuse solar panels?
Yes, unless the lease says otherwise. Most refusals come from concerns about roof warranty, structural loading and reinstatement — all of which a structural report and a clear reinstatement clause usually resolve.
What if my lease has under five years left?
A tenant-funded purchase rarely pays back in time. A PPA or a landlord-funded system with a rent adjustment is normally the better structure.
Request your free feasibility review
Share a few details and our team will send a no-obligation review of your site — indicative system size, annual generation, savings and payback. Prefer to explore numbers yourself first? Run the calculator or contact us directly.
- MCS & RECC accredited installer
- Response within one working day
- No cost, no obligation