Three ways to go solar with no significant outlay.
Most businesses assume commercial solar requires significant capital expenditure. It doesn't have to. Depending on your business structure and property, one or more of these routes will apply to you.
1. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — £0 upfront
A third-party funder pays for your solar installation in full. You agree to buy the electricity the system generates at a fixed rate — lower than your current grid tariff — for a contracted period, typically 10–25 years. You get immediate bill savings from day one, with no capital outlay and no maintenance responsibility.
- No upfront cost and no balance sheet impact
- Immediate savings — buy cheaper solar electricity instead of grid power
- Fixed electricity rate provides budget certainty for the contract term
- Alliant manages the entire process with our PPA funding partners
2. Full Expensing — 100% tax relief in year one
Since April 2023, UK companies can deduct 100% of the cost of qualifying plant and machinery — including commercial solar systems — from their taxable profits in the year of installation. For a company paying 25% corporation tax, a £100,000 solar installation effectively costs £75,000 after tax relief.
- Deduct 100% of the installation cost against your corporation tax bill
- Applicable to companies investing in qualifying plant and machinery
- Can be combined with asset finance so cash outlay stays minimal
- Alliant provides all documentation required for your accountant
3. Business grants and asset finance
Several government grants are available specifically for commercial solar, including the Improving Farm Productivity Grant for agricultural properties, support for community organisations, and sector-specific schemes. Asset finance spreads the cost over monthly payments — typically lower than the monthly energy saving, so the system is cash-flow positive from month one.
- Grants for farms, community organisations and certain business sectors
- Asset finance structured below monthly energy savings
- Alliant works with commercial finance providers to facilitate applications
- Combine with full expensing for maximum financial efficiency
Want the numbers for your building?
Use our commercial savings calculator to model PPA savings from satellite roof analysis.
From first call to first saving — here's the process.
- 1
Free survey and system design
Alliant engineers visit your site, assess your roof, and design a system sized to your energy usage. You receive a proposal with projected generation, savings, and financial modelling — no cost, no obligation.
- 2
Funding route agreed
Based on your business structure and energy usage, we agree the right funding route: PPA, full expensing, asset finance, or a combination. For PPA, we introduce you to funder partners and manage the agreement.
- 3
Grid connection (DNO) application
Alliant submits the Distribution Network Operator application on your behalf. Approval timelines vary — we manage this process and keep you updated throughout.
- 4
Installation — minimal disruption
Most commercial installs complete in one to three days, planned around your operational schedule. Our MCS-certified engineers handle everything from panels to inverter commissioning.
- 5
System live — savings start
Your system is commissioned, monitored, and handed over with full documentation including your MCS certificate. Energy savings begin from the first full day of generation.
What Alliant has delivered — in numbers.
Real installations from real UK businesses. Every figure is from actual metered data, not modelled estimates.
| Client / Sector | System | Annual saving | Payback | ROI | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Distribution — Logistics | 108 panels + 62kW battery | £22,389 | 2.9 yrs | 38.7% | Battery + solar combo |
| Hillsborough Golf Club — Sports | 17.3kW, 3 elevations | £3,319 | 3.4 yrs | 33.7% | Multi-elevation roof |
| Beauchief Tennis Club — Community | 8.8kW Sunsynk | £2,420 | 3.0 yrs | 37.5% | Sub-3-yr payback |
| Hillsborough Sports Arena — Community | 22kW community-owned | £5,261 | 3.5 yrs | 32.8% | Community ownership |
| Moorwood Farm — Agriculture | 90 panels | £7,052 | 4.8 yrs | 24.6% | Farm grant eligible |
| Geoff Cox Automotive — Retail | 68 panels showroom | £6,816 | 5.8 yrs | 21.0% | Showroom install |
| Tropical Ices — Food Distribution | 168 panels, 68.88kWp | £13,700 | 5.0 yrs | 24.0% | Large flat roof |
| Pinder Brothers — Manufacturing | 19.68kWp ballast | £3,700 | 5.0 yrs | 22.3% | Listed building context |
Most UK businesses with a commercial property qualify.
Fully-funded options are available for a wide range of UK business types and property configurations. Here are the main criteria:
| Factor | Ideal for PPA / full funding | May limit some options |
|---|---|---|
| Property ownership | Owner-occupier with freehold or long leasehold | Short-term lease or uncertain tenure |
| Annual electricity spend | £12,000+/year — stronger case for all routes | Very low consumption reduces savings |
| Roof condition | Structurally sound, suitable for solar mounting | Roofs needing significant repair first |
| Energy use pattern | High daytime use (manufacturing, retail, logistics) | Primarily evening use without battery |
| Business structure | Ltd company, PLC, LLP, CIC | Sole trader (PPA less common; grants still apply) |
| Property size | Roof area 100m²+ for meaningful system size | Very small roofs limit capacity |
Not sure if you qualify? A free 20-minute survey call is the fastest way to find out — we'll tell you clearly which funding routes apply before you spend any time on paperwork.
Find out which route fits your business.
Free, no-obligation eligibility call — 20 minutes.
MCS-certified. NICEIC-approved. TrustMark-registered. Fully insured.
| What we offer | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| MCS-certified installation | Required for Smart Export Guarantee and grant schemes. Without it, you can't be paid for electricity you export. |
| NICEIC-approved electricians | All electrical work is certified by NICEIC-approved engineers. Mandatory for commercial grid connection. |
| TrustMark registered | Government-endorsed quality mark. Independently assessed on workmanship, customer service and trading standards. |
| HIES consumer protection | Deposit protection up to £2,500. Your money is protected before installation begins. |
| PPA funder relationships | Established relationships with commercial PPA funders — faster approvals and better terms than direct. |
| Full project management | DNO application, grant administration, installation scheduling, commissioning and MCS certificate — end to end. |
| 25-year performance guarantee | 15-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee on all commercial installations. |
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Is a PPA right for all businesses?
PPA works best for businesses with high and consistent daytime electricity consumption — manufacturers, logistics, retail, hospitality. For lower or primarily night-time use, asset finance or full expensing may deliver a better return. We'll tell you which route suits you after the survey.
What happens at the end of a PPA contract?
You typically have the option to extend, purchase the system at a reduced rate, or have it removed. Most businesses choose to purchase outright — at that point the electricity is entirely free. Specific options depend on the funder agreement.
Does commercial solar affect our business rates?
HMRC guidance currently treats rooftop solar panels as plant and machinery, not a property improvement that triggers business rates reassessment. We recommend confirming with your rating surveyor for your specific circumstances.
How long does planning permission take?
Most rooftop commercial installs fall under Class J Permitted Development and need no planning application. Listed buildings or some conservation areas require consent — Alliant identifies this at the survey stage.
How disruptive is the installation?
For most commercial properties, installation takes one to three days. Alliant plans schedules around your operating hours. Most businesses continue operating normally throughout.
What maintenance does it need?
Very little. An annual clean (often manageable with standard building maintenance) and an MCS-certified inspection every three to five years. Alliant monitors installed systems remotely and contacts you if a fault is detected.
Can we add battery storage later?
Yes — battery storage can be retrofitted to most existing solar installations. Adding it at install time is cheaper and simpler. Alliant installs GivEnergy and Puredrive commercial battery systems.
