Across these sectors Absolar have installed solar PV systems that have successfully reduced energy bills without any disruption to their business operations.
Large roof space availability. Significant energy bill reduction with additional income stream from energy export.
High electricity demand from office appliances, matching solar PV generation pattern.
As an energy-intense industry, manufacturing facilities benefit significantly from having free, clean solar energy.
Consistent building upgrade with property value and ESG benefits. Significant operational cost savings.
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Optimal roof space available for solar panels. Low installation costs and potential for export income
Significant energy demand could be offset by solar energy, reducing operational costs.
Complex roof structure requires solar simulation modelling, matching demand profile with solar generation.
High energy usage by printing equipment offset by renewable electricity, significantly reducing operational costs
Large rooftop spaces for electricity generation, reducing operational costs significantly.
Energy simulation to match consumption profile with roof space assessment.
Improving ESG, reducing energy costs, future-proof building with energy system upgrade.
Electricity usage in computing equipment met by renewable energy, improving ESG and energy independence.
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Constant electricity demand from the use of CNC machines has been offset by clean, free solar electricity.
Absolar designed and delivered the solar programme that made the University of Southampton Science Park the first science park in the UK to reach 1 MW of installed capacity. We can do the same for yours, starting with a free remote survey of every building on your campus.
Science parks are home to some of the UK's most dynamic businesses, bringing research, technology and entrepreneurship together in one environment. Their energy profile reflects that: laboratories, server rooms, cleanrooms and offices with high, consistent daytime demand across dozens of rooftops.
That demand pattern is exactly what solar serves best. When science parks embrace renewable energy they reduce operating costs across the estate, strengthen their appeal to sustainability-minded occupiers, and reinforce their position as leaders in technology-driven change.
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 business park or any science park, or in fact 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 us.
Robin Chave, CEO of University of Southampton Science Park
Southampton Science Park is both our home and our proof point. Working with the Park's leadership team, Absolar delivered a phased solar strategy across the entire campus.
The journey began with a campus-wide scan using Absolar's LiDAR and AI technology. Every building was assessed for engineering suitability, then cross-referenced with economic factors such as lease lengths and tenancy agreements. That let the board make data-led decisions and prioritise the most viable rooftops first, starting with a 235 kWp installation on a multi-tenanted building.
The programme has since expanded into battery storage, with a grid-integrated solar and battery system at Gamma House replacing a conventional diesel backup generator.
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Most installers assess one building at a time. Absolar assesses the whole estate at once.
Using high-resolution LiDAR mapping and AI analysis, we evaluate every rooftop across your campus remotely: roof size, orientation, shading, structural capacity and obstructions such as plant and skylights. Results are cross-referenced with lease structures, tenancy agreements and half-hourly consumption data so each building is ranked by both engineering feasibility and financial return.
Your board receives a clear, prioritised investment plan. Install the strongest performers first, then let early savings fund the later phases. Performance across the whole portfolio is then monitored through our smart monitoring platform, with generation data available to share with tenants and stakeholders.
Science park buildings combine substantial roof area with high daytime consumption from labs, computing and office equipment. Rooftop solar cuts grid consumption from day one, and the savings compound across a multi-building portfolio.
Using representative market values, a typical science park solar project delivers over 30% internal rate of return, with average payback under five years. With a system lifespan of 30+ years, solar provides long-term energy price stability for both the estate and its occupiers.
Solar is a capital improvement that enhances building value and portfolio sustainability credentials. Through Absolar's finance partners, asset-based funding lets estates install without upfront capital, protecting cashflow while the systems pay for themselves.
When generation exceeds a building's consumption, Absolar arranges export to the grid under competitive tariffs, creating an additional income stream, particularly at weekends and during holiday periods when campus demand drops.
Tenants increasingly ask for evidence of green electricity in their operations. On-site solar gives resident businesses verifiable clean energy at competitive rates, strengthening the park's occupier proposition and supporting shared net zero goals.
As a member of the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA), Absolar is proud to support science parks in their transition to clean, renewable energy. Absolar itself is a University of Southampton spin-out, incubated at Southampton Science Park, so we understand the innovation campus environment from the inside.
Our in-house team brings deep technical expertise to every project, from feasibility and design through installation, commissioning and long-term performance monitoring. Every project is delivered with clear communication, sound engineering decisions and no surprises.
At Absolar, engineering is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to quality starts with rigorous site analysis and design, ensuring every installation is tailored for optimal performance and longevity. We design systems to last, using proven technologies and components that meet the highest industry standards.
Our in-house engineering team brings decades of experience across electrical, structural and renewable energy disciplines, allowing us to anticipate and solve challenges before they become problems. We stand behind our work with robust quality assurance, performance monitoring and post-installation support.
There are established structures for multi-tenanted buildings, including landlord-owned systems supplying tenants with green electricity at competitive rates. Lease lengths and tenancy agreements are factored into our assessment from the start, exactly as we did across Southampton Science Park.
No. The portfolio approach is designed to be phased. Buildings are ranked by feasibility and return, the strongest performers are installed first, and early savings help fund later phases.
Better than most expect. During January 2026, one of the wettest months on record for southern England, generation at Southampton Science Park reached 95% of the previous January's output despite 39% higher rainfall.
Yes. At Gamma House on Southampton Science Park we replaced a diesel backup generator with an integrated solar, battery and grid-connected system, improving both sustainability and business continuity.
Every system we install is monitored through our smart monitoring platform, tracking generation, savings and carbon data across the whole estate, with figures you can share with tenants, boards and stakeholders.
Request a free remote survey. Using LiDAR and AI, we assess every building on your campus without a site visit and report back with a prioritised, board-ready investment plan.
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
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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
Commercial | Science Park
The work is taking place at Gamma House, where a conventional diesel-run backup power generator is to be replaced with a significantly more sustainable solution that cleverly integrates on-site solar generation, battery storage and grid connectivity.
Back-up power is essential for all business continuity, yet projects of this nature remain relatively uncommon due to their technical complexity and the investment required to deliver effective systems that meet both operational requirements and wider ESG objectives. This complex project has only been made possible through deep collaborative work with experts in renewables, data science, IT and physical infrastructure.
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Commercial | Equestrian
Hurst Grange Farm House is a characterful equestrian facility located in the rural setting of Hurst, near Reading. The site features traditional farm structures and outbuildings that provide ample roof space for renewable energy generation, supporting the high energy demands of a working equestrian estate.
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Engineering | Industrial Unit
Located within Holton Heath Trading Park, the building forms part of a modern industrial complex constructed with a steel portal frame, brick and metal-clad elevations, and a steel profile roof. Units in this development include a main warehouse or workshop space, loading doors for vehicle access, and integrated office accommodation, all of which contribute to a complex energy demand profile that has been assessed by Absolar during the initial design process.
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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.
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