Key facts
Typical rangeMany small-business projects start around 10-30kW, depending on roof area and daytime use.
FundingLook for council, growth hub and local net-zero grants first; national support is not a universal commercial solar grant.
ExportSEG may pay for eligible exported power, but self-use usually drives the business case.
Lease checkTenants need roof rights, landlord consent and clarity on what happens at lease end.
Quote evidenceBills, postcode, business type, roof photos, MPAN and whether you want battery or EV charging included.
Small business solar budget guide
| Site type | Likely starting size | Quote notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shop or cafe | 10-20kW | Check refrigeration, lighting, daytime load and landlord consent. |
| Clinic or office | 10-30kW | Model weekday use, air conditioning and future EV charging. |
| Workshop | 15-50kW | Check machinery loads, roof access and DNO/export position. |
| Small warehouse | 30-50kW | Roof structure and half-hourly data become more important. |
How to make the quote grant-ready
- Do not begin installation before grant approval if the scheme forbids retrospective spend.
- Ask the installer to state expected generation, self-use, export and annual carbon saving.
- Keep supplier quotes, business-rate evidence, Companies House or trading evidence and landlord consent together.
- Use local grant language carefully: many funds require productivity, decarbonisation or local economic benefit evidence.
Sources checked
- GOV.UK - Find government grants
- GOV.UK - business green funding
- Ofgem - Smart Export Guarantee
- GOV.UK - VAT Notice 708/6
- HMRC - solar panels capital allowances
- GOV.UK - full expensing and first-year allowances
- GOV.UK - green business rates measures
- GOV.UK - Rural England Prosperity Fund example
- Salix - Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
- GOV.UK - Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund
- Planning Data - non-domestic solar permitted development
Great British Energy is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the government-owned Great British Energy at gbe.gov.uk. Funding rules change; verify against official sources before committing spend.