Commercial solar — side-by-side comparisons
Decide faster with head-to-head comparisons of funding, technology and system-design options.
Lease vs Buy vs PPA — commercial solar funding compared
The three main ways to fund commercial solar in the UK — outright purchase (with or without asset finance), operating lease, or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — deliver very different economics, tax outcomes and levels of control. This side-by-side guide covers when each option wins.
Solar only vs Solar + battery for business
Battery storage adds capex but lifts self-consumption, protects against grid outages, and unlocks flexibility revenue. For most UK commercial sites in 2026, batteries pay back independently in 6–9 years — sometimes faster when paired with solar.
On-site PPA vs Sleeved PPA — commercial solar contracts
Both structures let a business buy solar electricity at a below-grid rate without owning generation assets. On-site PPAs sit behind your meter; sleeved PPAs use a licensed supplier to virtually deliver power from a remote asset. The right choice depends on scale, timeline and whether you have suitable on-site space.
Rooftop vs Solar Carport — commercial installation compared
Rooftop remains the default for commercial solar in the UK — cheapest per kWp, quickest to install, minimal planning. Solar carports cost 40–70% more per kWp but unlock EV charging integration, generate shade and rain cover, and use land that already sits within site boundaries.
Monocrystalline vs Bifacial — commercial solar panels compared
Modern commercial solar panels are almost universally monocrystalline. The choice is now between standard front-side-only monocrystalline (mono PERC / TOPCon) and bifacial modules that also capture reflected light from the underside — with different capex, mounting requirements, and yield.