Commercial solar · Sizing calculator

Commercial solar system size calculator (UK)

Sizing a commercial solar system means balancing three constraints: your daytime electricity demand, your usable roof area, and your available capex. Use our free calculator to get an instant kWp recommendation, or read the sizing method below.

Sizing calculator at a glance

System size
Sizing calculator
Panels
Calculated from your consumption
Roof area
Calculated from your kWp
Annual generation
Estimated at ~950 kWh/kWp/year (UK average)
Installed cost
£700–£950/kWp installed
After Full Expensing
25% off net cost for limited companies
Annual saving
£180–£240 per kWp/year
Payback
3.5–6 years typical

Best fit business types

  • Any UK business exploring commercial solar
  • Owner-occupiers weighing capex vs PPA
  • Multi-site portfolios planning roll-out
  • Facilities managers producing feasibility briefs
  • Finance teams stress-testing payback

Design and spec notes

  • Consumption-led sizing: 1 kWp per 1,000 kWh annual daytime consumption.
  • Roof-led sizing: ~150 W/m² of usable south-facing roof.
  • Budget-led sizing: capex ÷ £800/kWp ≈ system size.
  • Cross-check all three before committing.

Related reading

FAQ — Sizing calculator systems

How accurate is the sizing calculator?

Within about 15% of a full feasibility study — enough to inform go/no-go decisions. A structural and DNO check is required before order.

What if my roof is smaller than my consumption suggests?

Fit the largest system the roof supports, then consider a solar carport or ground-mount for the residual — or a sleeved PPA for portfolio coverage.

Free feasibility review

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
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