Solar Panels for Factories

Energy costs for Manchester factories have climbed sharply over the past three years. We have observed increases of 40 to 60 per cent on some contracts we have reviewed. This is not a temporary fluctuation; it represents a fundamental change in the cost of running a production line.

Solar power systems quickly alter this equation.

Factory rooftops in Manchester are often large, flat, and south-facing. They are ideal for solar installations. Yet most remain completely empty, collecting rain instead of generating power. We see this every week when we visit sites across Trafford Park and the wider industrial belt. Thousands of square metres of unused roof space could cut electricity bills by 30 to 50 per cent from year one.

The Numbers Are Difficult to Overlook

A typical factory running heavy machinery during daylight hours will self-consume most of the power generated. This offsets grid electricity at peak prices. Commercial solar installations in the UK typically achieve payback periods of five to seven years. For energy-intensive factories, this period is often shorter.

Factories in Manchester are adopting solar energy for several reasons, rather than delaying:

• Business rates relief on rooftop solar remains in effect under current rules.
• Most factory installations qualify as permitted development, meaning no planning application is required.
• The Smart Export Guarantee provides payment for surplus energy exported to the grid.
• Capital allowances allow businesses to offset the full cost against taxable profits in the first year.

The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) connection process in the North West has also become more predictable. We have established strong working relationships with Electricity North West. This helps us to process applications without undue delay.

Many factory owners do not realise the significance of their daytime load profile until we present the data. Our energy consulting service includes detailed load profile analysis that maps exactly when your factory consumes power and how solar can reduce peak demand charges.

Delaying this investment does not save money. It incurs cost. Every quarter without solar power means paying grid-rate electricity for energy that could have been generated on-site.

We have carried out hundreds of installations across Manchester. While every factory is unique, the installation process follows the same established steps.

The process unfolds as follows:

1. Site survey and structural assessment. Our team visits your factory to inspect the roof. We check its load-bearing capacity and map out any obstructions, such as skylights or extraction units. We also assess your electrical infrastructure. This typically takes half a day.
2. Solar system design. We use your energy consumption data and the survey results. This allows us to design a system accurately sized to your specific usage. Our designs are bespoke, built around your production schedule and demand profile, not based on assumptions or generic templates.
3. DNO application and planning. Most factory installations in Manchester qualify as permitted development, meaning full planning permission is not typically needed. However, we still manage the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) application. This often overlooked stage can take four to eight weeks, depending on the network capacity in your area.
4. Installation. For a typical factory roof around Trafford Park, on-site installation usually takes two to three weeks. We coordinate our work around your shifts. This ensures minimal disruption to your production. Panels are installed, inverters are mounted, and cabling is routed back to your main distribution board.
5. Commissioning and grid connection. Once wiring and testing are complete, we commission the system. We then confirm the grid connection is live. You will see generation data immediately via our solar monitoring platform.
6. Handover and training. We provide your facilities team with a thorough walkthrough of the monitoring platform. We avoid jargon, offering clear guidance on system performance and when to contact us.

The entire process, from initial survey to system switch-on, typically spans eight to twelve weeks. Our commercial solar installation service manages every stage for Manchester factories, from structural surveys through to DNO paperwork and final commissioning.

We coordinate directly with your roofing contractor if any remedial work is required before panel installation. While many roofs are suitable, older factory buildings occasionally need minor reinforcement. We identify such requirements early to prevent surprises during installation.

Would you like to explore your factory roof's generation potential? Contact us today.

More factories in Manchester are integrating electric vehicles into their fleets. This includes delivery vans, company cars, and forklifts. Each of these vehicles requires charging.

We frequently observe a common scenario: a factory installs EV chargers, then receives unexpectedly high demand charges. This occurs because the additional power is drawn from the grid during peak hours, resulting in a substantial bill. However, when EV charger installation is combined with a solar system, electricity is generated on-site. Your vehicles then charge using power from your own roof. The grid impact is minimal.

Why the Combination Works So Well for Factories

Factory roofs are typically expansive. This allows for sizing a solar array to accommodate both your production loads and your charging infrastructure. We have worked on sites around Trafford Park where the available roof space could support 200kW or more of generation capacity. This is sufficient to power internal equipment and maintain a bank of external chargers, all from a single system.

This integrated setup offers several practical advantages:

• Solar generation peaks during daytime hours, coinciding with when fleet vehicles are typically parked and available for charging.
• Workplace EV charging also qualifies for capital allowances, improving the tax position in addition to energy savings.
• Smart charge management allows prioritisation of solar power, drawing from the grid only when generation levels are lower.
• Integrating solar batteries into the system stores excess daytime generation, available for overnight or early morning top-ups.

We manage both aspects of this solution: solar system design, DNO application for increased capacity, and EV charging solutions. This means one project, one team, and one primary contact. For factories with high evening demand, our solar battery storage systems capture surplus daytime generation and discharge it during peak tariff periods, all managed as one integrated project.

Beyond your own fleet, more businesses are installing workplace EV charging for staff. This has become a legitimate recruitment tool. Skilled workers now expect such facilities.

If you are already considering solar, adding EV charging simultaneously can reduce installation costs. This is because much of the electrical infrastructure, including trenching, cabling, and switchgear, overlaps. Completing both at once offers efficiency. If you would like to discuss how this could benefit your site, please contact us.