Guides, Tools & Information

A PPA is a contract where a solar provider installs panels on your property at no upfront cost, and you purchase the electricity generated at a rate lower than your current supplier. The provider owns and maintains the system while you benefit from reduced energy costs.

Most commercial solar installations don't require planning permission, but some exceptions apply for listed buildings or conservation areas. Your PPA provider will handle any necessary applications as part of the service.

Once contracts are signed, most commercial installations are completed within 4-8 weeks. The actual installation work typically takes just a few days, with the rest of the time used for grid connection and commissioning.

In most cases the system is gifted to the client for free or for a nominal £1 sum. Electricity from the panels is entirely free thereafter and if there is any export (unused power) involved the excess is sold back to the national grid currently at a default payment of 6p per kWh. Alternatively the client can choose to sell the power to any major supplier at a much higher rate than 6p. These prices will depend on the amount of export kWh and what a supplier will pay for it. These types of export contracts can and do vary considerably from suppliers and are generally one or two years rolling contracts that will need renewing.