The small commercial rooftop solar market of installations between 50kW to 250kW is growing steadily, with 170MW installed at 1,200 sites. The STA, however, believes growth is being limited by a lack of confidence among businesses and rooftop owners.

Commercial rooftop solar makes up a mere 5% of all UK solar deployment to date, with a only 70 large-scale (250kW+) rooftop installations in the UK.

The STA states there is huge potential for rooftop solar energy across the UK and has published the new checklist to boost buyer confidence.

STA CEO Paul Barwell says many companies want to follow the example of large corporations and install rooftop solar: “From Apple and Amazon to Marks & Spencer and Walmart, many well-known companies are going solar to reduce their carbon footprint and because they want the reliable and clean power supply solar provides during work hours.”

He added: “We hope our Confidence Checklist will empower more commercial sector managers to install solar on the roofs of their company premises.”

Commercial confidence

STA technical specialist Chris Roberts, who developed the checklist with the help of STA members, said: “Speaking to our members and interested commercial companies, it is clear that many commercial managers will benefit from guidance to help them navigate the installation of a solar scheme, which can be complex.”

The Government is currently working to remove barriers to the deployment of large rooftop solar, with plans to allow installations of up to 1MW to go ahead without planning permission.

Mr Barwell said: “We need ambitious rooftop targets and changes to the policy framework by Government to ensure commercial rooftop solar can fulfil its potential in future, but there is no reason why companies cannot take the initiative to go solar today.”

The full Confidence Checklist

Matt Field

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