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businesses have the strongest financial case for commercial solar of any sector in the UK. High continuous loads, large roof areas, and significant energy spend combine to deliver 3–5 year paybacks.", "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/assets/commercial-solar-DydTBMj7.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alliant Energy Team", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/about" }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "MCS Registered Engineer", "jobTitle": "MCS Registered Engineer" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-05-19" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can solar be installed while manufacturing continues?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — in almost all cases. Roof installation doesn't require production to stop. The only brief interruption is final electrical commissioning, scheduled during planned maintenance or a weekend." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What about dust, vibration or other manufacturing-specific conditions?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Panels are designed for outdoor industrial exposure. For sites with significant particulate emissions (foundries, woodworking, stone processing), we consider panel tilt and layout to maximise self-cleaning by rain." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can we claim Enhanced Capital Allowances as well?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "ECAs for energy-efficient equipment were largely replaced by Full Expensing. Solar and battery storage qualify directly under Full Expensing. Confirm with your accountant which route is most advantageous." } } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) Spoke guide · Commercial # Solar for Manufacturers: A Guide to Cutting Energy Bills Manufacturing businesses have the strongest financial case for commercial solar of any sector in the UK. High continuous loads, large roof areas, and significant energy spend combine to deliver 3–5 year paybacks. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 19 May 2026 [Get a Manufacturing Quote](/quote) [Case Studies](/case-study) On this page - [Why manufacturing](#why) - [What it looks like](#looks) - [Full Expensing maths](#tax) - [Process heat](#heat) - [Scope 2 emissions](#scope2) - [Pinder Brothers](#case) - [FAQ](#faq) Ready to act? Free quote in one working day. [Get a Quote →](/quote) The economics of commercial solar depend on self-consumption. Manufacturers run CNC machines, injection moulders, compressors, conveyors and HVAC during the exact hours solar generates — self-consumption of 80–90% is common. ## Why manufacturing is the best sector for solar By contrast, offices and retail may have good daytime loads but lower total electricity use. Manufacturers often spend £50,000–£500,000/year on electricity. At those levels, a 200kWp system saving £40,000/year reaches payback in under 5 years — before Full Expensing. ## What a typical manufacturing solar installation looks like A medium-sized UK manufacturer occupying a 5,000–10,000m² site typically installs between 100kWp and 300kWp: - 100kWp: ~600m² of roof, ~90,000 kWh/year, ~£18,000–£25,000/year saving - 200kWp: ~1,200m² of roof, ~180,000 kWh/year, ~£36,000–£50,000/year saving - 300kWp: ~1,800m² of roof, ~270,000 kWh/year, ~£54,000–£75,000/year saving Installation typically uses ballasted flat-roof mounting (no roof penetrations) or pitched-roof rail systems. Most industrial roofs — steel profiled, membrane, concrete — are suitable. ## The Full Expensing calculation for manufacturers System cost Full Expensing saving Effective cost Annual saving Payback (after tax) £100,000 £25,000 £75,000 ~£22,000 ~3.4 years £200,000 £50,000 £150,000 ~£42,000 ~3.6 years £300,000 £75,000 £225,000 ~£60,000 ~3.75 years No equivalent For manufacturers paying corporation tax, Full Expensing effectively funds 25% of the installation in year one. No other capital investment in energy efficiency delivers comparable immediate tax efficiency. ### Model the numbers for your facility Free site survey and HHD-based commercial proposal. [Get a Quote](/quote) [Request a Callback](/request-callback) ## Process heat and beyond Solar PV reduces electricity costs. For manufacturers with significant heat demand, a heat pump combined with solar can address both — particularly relevant for food processors and plastics manufacturers. Solar generates electricity; the heat pump uses it to produce heat at 3–4× efficiency. ## Reducing Scope 2 emissions Manufacturers increasingly face pressure on Scope 2 emissions from customers, investors and compliance obligations. Solar directly displaces grid electricity with zero-carbon generation — a component of many net-zero and science-based target commitments. The financial and ESG cases reinforce each other. ## Case study: Pinder Brothers Pinder Brothers is a manufacturing business for which Alliant installed a commercial solar system, sized to the facility's daytime production load. Full details on our case study page. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can solar be installed while manufacturing continues? Yes — in almost all cases. Roof installation doesn't require production to stop. The only brief interruption is final electrical commissioning, scheduled during planned maintenance or a weekend. ### What about dust, vibration or other manufacturing-specific conditions? Panels are designed for outdoor industrial exposure. For sites with significant particulate emissions (foundries, woodworking, stone processing), we consider panel tilt and layout to maximise self-cleaning by rain. ### Can we claim Enhanced Capital Allowances as well? ECAs for energy-efficient equipment were largely replaced by Full Expensing. Solar and battery storage qualify directly under Full Expensing. Confirm with your accountant which route is most advantageous. Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks. © 2026 Alliant Energy Ltd. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms) MCS Registered · TrustMark · NICEIC [Chat with AI](/chat) [Call back](/request-callback) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Get a Brochure](/brochure) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Chat with AI](/chat)