Commercial solar panel cost and payback by UK region
Non-domestic solar systems of 10-50 kW cost an average of £1,167 per kW in 2025/26 (DESNZ, from MCS records), so a 30 kW system averaged about £35,010. Each kW generates 710-871 kWh a year across Great Britain's regions (PVGIS). At a small business's electricity price of 28.59p per kWh, with all of it used on site, that pays back in roughly 5.0-6.5 years; about twice as long if you use only half.
By region
Cost is the regional average for 10-50 kW systems (all installation types). Generation is for a south-facing array at the city shown. Payback is for a 30 kW system.
| Region | Cost per kW | Generation measured at | kWh per kW a year | Payback, 30 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,214 | London | 845 | 5.0–10.1 years |
| Wales | £1,257 | Cardiff | 871 | 5.0–10.1 years |
| East of England | £1,241 | Cambridge | 855 | 5.1–10.2 years |
| South West | £1,289 | Bristol | 854 | 5.3–10.6 years |
| North East | £1,162 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 769 | 5.3–10.6 years |
| West Midlands | £1,233 | Birmingham | 805 | 5.4–10.7 years |
| South East | £1,330 | Reading | 851 | 5.5–10.9 years |
| East Midlands | £1,253 | Nottingham | 801 | 5.5–10.9 years |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,237 | Leeds | 780 | 5.5–11.1 years |
| North West | £1,248 | Manchester | 745 | 5.9–11.7 years |
| Scotland | £1,321 | Glasgow | 710 | 6.5–13.0 years |
Non-domestic averages by size band (Great Britain)
| Size band | Installations | Average cost per kW |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 kW | 76,081 | £1,650 |
| 4-10 kW | 6,484 | £1,320 |
| 10-50 kW | 5,163 | £1,167 |
How this is worked out
- Cost: DESNZ mean cost per kW of Total Installed Capacity for 2025/26, from MCS-certified installations. It includes equipment, installation and connection. DESNZ only covers systems up to 50 kW; larger systems usually cost less per kW.
- Generation: PVGIS (European Commission) for 1 kW facing south at the default tilt, with 14% system losses.
- Value: generation × the share used on site × the DESNZ price for small businesses (28.59p per kWh incl. CCL, 2026 Q2). Exported power is counted at nothing, so payback is conservative if you are paid for exports.
- Not included: maintenance, inverter replacement, panel ageing, finance costs, grants and tax relief. These are averages for planning, not a quote.
Sources
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) cost data: Total Installed Capacity, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
- Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS), European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Prices of fuels purchased by non-domestic consumers in the United Kingdom (QEP 3.4.1 and 3.4.2), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero