Commercial solar finance: buy the system, or buy the power.
Commercial solar can be bought outright, or supplied under a power purchase agreement. Here is how each route works in general terms, so you know what to ask us about.
Two ways to fund solar for your business.
01
Outright purchase
Your business pays for the system and owns it. The electricity it generates is yours to use.
How buying outright works02
Power purchase agreement
Your business agrees to buy the electricity the system generates, under a contract, rather than buying the system.
How a PPA works
Buying the system outright.
You pay for the installation and the system belongs to your business. Electricity it generates that your site uses is electricity you do not buy from the grid.
What it means
- Your business owns the system
- Monitoring, maintenance and repairs are available through our asset management service
- Battery storage and EV charging can be planned alongside it
How a power purchase agreement works.
A PPA is a contract to buy renewable energy. Instead of buying the system, your business agrees to buy the electricity it generates.
- 01
Panels on your site
- 02
Electricity for your building
- 03
A price per unit, set out in the contract
Why businesses consider them
- Agreements can give price certainty over the length of the contract, depending on how the price is set
- Renewable electricity generated on your own site, which can support sustainability targets
- We will talk through whether a PPA suits your site
The terms of any agreement are set out in the contract for your site.
Common questions
A PPA is a contract to buy renewable energy. Instead of buying a solar system, your business agrees to buy the electricity it generates.
That depends on the agreement. In general, a PPA price can be fixed for the length of the contract or can follow the market value of energy. The terms for your site are set out in the agreement.
Battery storage and EV charging can be planned alongside commercial solar. Talk to us about how that fits whichever route you choose.
Our asset management service covers monitoring, maintenance and repairs, planned around your site.
It depends on your business, your site and your plans. We will talk both routes through with you.
Choosing a route
Which route suits your business?
There is no single right answer. These questions usually decide it.
Capital
Would you rather invest in the system, or keep capital free for other things?
Ownership
Do you want your business to own the system?
Your premises
How long do you expect to stay at your site?
Looking after it
Would you rather manage the system yourself, or have it looked after?
We will talk both routes through for your site.
Ask which route suits youThis page explains the options in general terms. It is not financial, tax or legal advice.
Talk to us about funding solar for your business.
- 01
Talk to an advisor
Request a callback and one of our advisors will talk through the options for your business.
- 02
Get a full proposal
We follow up with a full proposal, including designs and specifications.
- 03
Installation and aftercare
We install at a time that suits your business, with maintenance available afterwards.
Prefer to call?
0800 772 3572Or 01752 936 247, Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00, Saturday 08:00 to 16:00.