Solar panels for print and packaging businesses (UK)
Print and packaging is a mid-to-high electricity intensity sector with strong daytime consumption. Flexographic and litho presses, drying tunnels, laminators and cutting lines all run during standard shifts — a good match for rooftop solar with 65–80% self-consumption.
Print & packaging — sector snapshot
Why solar fits print & packaging
- Modern factory roofs — clean, unshaded, well-oriented.
- Process loads (presses, drying, cooling) run in-shift, matching solar.
- Brand owners (FMCGs) increasingly source packaging on Scope 3 targets.
- Sustainable packaging positioning helps win contracts.
- Rising ETS costs on gas dryers push electrification — grows electricity demand.
Design considerations
- Solvent-recovery and drying tunnels — highly interactive with battery time-shifting.
- Roof-plant density (extract, chillers) varies widely — always survey.
- Ink-solvent VOC systems require care around panel and cabling location.
- Air-compressor load-matching is often the fastest self-consumption win.
Funding routes
Full Expensing for limited companies. Some IETF Phase 3 grants have covered print-sector electrification. Asset finance and PPA both routinely used at 150 kWp–1 MWp.
Related reading
FAQ — solar for print & packaging
Do print factories have suitable roofs?
Modern flexo and corrugator plants (post-1990) usually have strong, uncluttered metal roofs ideal for solar. Older litho plants may need a structural survey.
Does solar affect print colour consistency?
No — power quality on properly designed commercial solar is well within UK press manufacturer tolerances.
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