Commercial & Farm Solar and Battery Storage in Scotland

For most farms, yes. Barns, sheds and outbuildings usually have large, unshaded roofs ideal for solar PV. If you use electricity during the day for milking, refrigeration, grain drying or lighting, self-consumption alone can deliver meaningful bill reductions. A site survey is the best way to assess your roof area, orientation and usage profile.

A typical commercial system ranges from 10 kW to 100 kW depending on your roof area and energy demand. As a rough guide, each kilowatt of solar PV requires about 5 to 7 square metres of roof. Ground-mounted arrays are an option where roof space is limited or unsuitable. A site survey will determine the optimal system size for your property.

Yes. Battery storage is particularly valuable for businesses that use electricity outside daylight hours or on time-of-use tariffs. A battery lets you store excess solar generation or charge from cheap overnight grid electricity, then use it during peak periods. This reduces peak demand charges and increases self-consumption. Sizing depends on your daily usage and tariff structure.

Most commercial rooftop solar installations are permitted development in Scotland, provided the panels do not protrude significantly beyond the roof surface and the building is not listed or in a conservation area. Ground-mounted arrays over 9 square metres require planning permission. Larger systems may also need DNO approval before installation. We handle all notifications and applications through our MCS-certified partners.

Payback depends on your electricity usage, tariff, roof orientation and system size. Businesses with high daytime consumption typically see shorter payback periods because they consume most of the solar generation directly. Export payments through the Smart Export Guarantee add further value for surplus electricity. A site survey with your actual energy data is the best way to estimate a realistic payback period.