Office buildings are at the heart of the UK’s commercial life. They provide the spaces where ideas are developed, relationships are built, and businesses grow. From city centres to business parks, these buildings support a wide variety of industries, each with its own demands for comfort, efficiency, and reliable infrastructure.
Energy plays a vital role in creating productive work environments, from lighting and heating to running essential technology. As businesses increasingly look for workplaces with strong sustainability credentials, landlords and managers of office buildings have a unique opportunity to stand out. Integrating solar power not only reduces running costs but also demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that appeals to both current and future tenants.
What Absolar has done for us here at the science park in terms of mapping the solar radiation that falls on the roofs of the buildings is extendable to any collection of buildings around the country. It's great to have a sit down with them and talk about what they could do to help your business.
Robin Chave, CEO of University of Southampton Science Park
Solar panel systems help office buildings reduce energy bills, improve ESG targets, and generate additional revenue from energy trading. Although the capital costs vary by system sizes, most projects on an office building have achieved a payback period within 5 years, through energy savings and other incentives. Here are 5 key benefits from investing in solar panels for office buildings.
Office buildings have large rooftop areas, able to receive sufficient irradiance for solar panels to generate electricity. By installing rooftop solar panels, businesses can drastically reduce their electricity consumption from the grid and lower monthly energy bills. For any office buildings in the UK, you can request a free solar survey here.
Using representative market values in 2025, a typical office building based solar project delivers >30% Internal Rate of Return (IRR), with an average payback period of less than 4 years. With a lifespan of 30+ years, solar offers long-term energy price stability and strong financial performance for commercial landlords and UK businesses.
Solar panel investments on commercial buildings are considered a capital improvement that can significantly enhance the value of the property. With access to asset-based finance through Absolar's Finance Partners, your business can unlock renewable energy solutions without upfront capital, helping to maintain healthy cashflow while upgrading your sustainability credentials.
When your solar system generates more power than the building consumes, Absolar enables you to export the excess electricity back to the grid. By selling surplus energy to certified suppliers, you create a new income stream while supporting the UK's transition to cleaner energy.
More businesses in the UK are taking leadership roles in climate action. Installing commercial solar panels is one of the most effective ways to cut carbon emissions, improve energy security, and demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. Commercial solar helps you attract more forward-thinking companies and progress towards Net Zero.
At Absolar, engineering is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to quality starts with rigorous site analysis and design, ensuring every solar installation is tailored for optimal performance and longevity. We don't cut corners; we design systems to last, using proven technologies and components that meet the highest industry standards. Every detail, from panel placement to cable routing, is carefully considered to ensure safety, durability, and efficiency.
For any commercial solar project in the UK, our in-house engineering team brings together decades of experience across electrical, structural, and renewable energy disciplines. This expertise allows us to anticipate and solve challenges before they become problems, giving our clients complete confidence throughout the project lifecycle. From feasibility studies to final commissioning, we operate with a no-nonsense mentality - clear communication, sound decisions, and no surprises.
We believe that true engineering excellence lies not just in technical skill, but in accountability. That’s why we stand behind our work, with robust quality assurance processes, performance monitoring, and post-installation support.
Absolar are proud to support UK businesses in their transition to clean, renewable energy through expertly delivered commercial solar installations. Our team bring deep technical expertise and local knowledge to every project. We have helped organisations across the UK reduce their energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and gain greater energy independence with systems tailored to their operational needs.
The UK has bold sustainability goals, and we’re proud to be playing a role in supporting that ambition. Absolar’s approach begins with a precise assessment using proprietary technology, which uses high-resolution LiDAR mapping and advanced AI analysis to evaluate every building accurately.
After presenting the assessment results to your team, our in-house solar designers will ensure each project delivers long-term performance and maximum return on investment. With every installation, we aim to achieve 100% customer satisfaction and engineering excellence, contributing to a greener, more resilient energy future for business's mission.
The solar PV system has been a significant investment for us as a business but one that we hope represents our commitment to the future and to sustainable business practices. We might be over 100 years old but we’re not standing still, we’re always looking to the future, adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers.
Matt Sheen, CEO at Draper Tools
I had the privilege of unveiling Draper Tools' ambitious 900+ solar panel installation at their North Baddesley site this week. This is already generating 73% of the facility’s power needs and is set to prevent over 100 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
Delivered by local solar specialists Absolar, this project sets a strong example of how businesses can lead the way in sustainability while also securing long-term energy savings.
Caroline Nokes, MP
An exceptional service from start to finish. Planning, preparation and installation of our 489 PV panels was completed with clear and detailed communication and there was no interference to day-to-day operations. Highly recommended.
Chris Hobbs, Business Development Director at Hobbs the Printer
From the very first meeting, I was won over and every touch point since has just reinforced my view of Absolar. They are brilliant and at what they do - and infectiously passionate about it. The initial proposal was logically laid out, compelling and contained all the financial justification elements a business would need (this made a potentially subjective decision highly objective). Having had our system for 3 years, we have experienced amazing ongoing collaboration and support. I could not be happier with our PV system and the support we get from Absolar… just awesome...
Dr Stephen Rowe, Managing Director at DEKRA UK
Office | Laboratory
The Epsilon House building is situated in the University of Southampton Science Park and is a two-floor, multi-tenanted property with a standing seam Kalzip roof. The property experiences high energy consumption during office hours due to the research labs and offices situated inside the building.
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Office | Commercial
Located in the centre of Cambridge in a Conservation Area with severely restricted access, the head office of Bidwells LLP is a 3-storey office building equipped with state-of-the-art office spaces and facilities. The building has recently been renovated with a new roof using a Sarnafil membrane covering material. As a result, the solar PV system was custom designed to be compatible with the specialist roof covering whilst retaining the warranty, utilising integrated mounting system to construct the unique solar PV system.
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Manufacturing | Industrial
Located in Newport, Isle of Wight, Diametric specialises in precision engineering and occupies a two-storey industrial unit. The building is constructed with a metal trapezoidal roof. Their energy consumption profile peaks during weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. As a client of NatWest, Diametric approached Absolar to find solutions to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
...
Office | Laboratory
The Epsilon House building is situated in the University of Southampton Science Park and is a two-floor, multi-tenanted property with a standing seam Kalzip roof. The property experiences high energy consumption during office hours due to the research labs and offices situated inside the building.
...
Office | Commercial
Located in the centre of Cambridge in a Conservation Area with severely restricted access, the head office of Bidwells LLP is a 3-storey office building equipped with state-of-the-art office spaces and facilities. The building has recently been renovated with a new roof using a Sarnafil membrane covering material. As a result, the solar PV system was custom designed to be compatible with the specialist roof covering whilst retaining the warranty, utilising integrated mounting system to construct the unique solar PV system.
...
Manufacturing | Industrial
Located in Newport, Isle of Wight, Diametric specialises in precision engineering and occupies a two-storey industrial unit. The building is constructed with a metal trapezoidal roof. Their energy consumption profile peaks during weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. As a client of NatWest, Diametric approached Absolar to find solutions to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
...
Our latest whitepaper is designed to help businesses and commercial landlords navigate the opportunities and challenges of solar energy adoption. This in-depth guide explores the key steps to developing successful commercial solar projects, whether you own a single property or manage a diverse portfolio. Drawing on our real-world experience, the whitepaper covers everything from assessing rooftop suitability to understanding performance guarantees and compliance requirements.
Crucially, it also breaks down the latest financing options available, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), capital investment models, and landlord-tenant cost-sharing strategies. For commercial landlords, we offer practical guidance on how to structure solar projects that align with lease terms and add long-term value to your properties. Whether you're looking to reduce operational costs, meet ESG targets, or attract sustainability-minded tenants, this whitepaper is your essential roadmap to making solar work for your business.