A recent thought-leadership article co-published by Vail Williams and Absolar, titled “Solar PV – Shining a Light on This Power Potential”, highlights a major opportunity: unlocking solar potential on commercial properties could accelerate the UK's clean energy transition.
Over the past decade, solar PV has become dramatically more affordable, unit costs have fallen by over 80%, yet the UK still uses just a fraction of the potential available on business rooftops . In 2022, 556 MW of capacity was installed in the first half of the year [Colville, 2022], raising total installed capacity to around 15–16 GW [Greenmatch, 2024].
Despite this growth, rooftop solar remains under-deployed. Only 4.1% of UK homes have solar panels, and while there are about 500 solar farms, rooftop generation offers significant untapped opportunity [Gill, 2023].
The opportunity lies in commercial and industrial properties. With 424 million sq ft of warehousing alone, there’s immense potential for rooftop solar [UK Warehouse Association, 2023]. Vail Williams and Absolar argue these assets should be a central focus in the drive toward net-zero.
There is a significant opportunity to drive more solar energy in the UK, by over-cladding existing commercial property with PV cells.
--- David Thomas, Head of Energy & Sustainability
Solar PV can also make lettable space cheaper to power and heat, attracting tenants and buyers with reduced business running costs, whilst giving the property a competitive advantage over similar properties without it.
This, together with the potential of solar PV installation to increase the value of the asset, all whilst reducing carbon footprints and improving EPC ratings, makes it a compelling power proposition.
As ever with property, before embarking on the solar PV journey, there are some key considerations to take into account.
Solar PV energy systems are affordable, reliable and low impact, but it can be hard for occupiers and landlords of commercial property to understand what their potential is”
--- Dr Phil Wu, Director of Absolar
Absolar’s AI-driven solar surveys, leveraging LiDAR, satellite imagery, and irradiance modelling, help portfolio owners prioritise properties based on payback and operational suitability.
The collaboration doesn't stop at identifying solar-ready roofs. The Vail Williams and Absolar piece outlines the broader range of considerations needed for successful deployment:
The joint article positions both organisations to guide clients not just through technical appraisal, but an end-to-end process—from strategic identification to legal compliance and performance monitoring.
The Vail Williams – Absolar partnership highlights a clear roadmap to scale commercial rooftop solar across the UK:
As EPC regulations tighten and occupiers demand better energy credentials, this holistic approach empowers landlords and tenants to turn rooftops into sustainable revenue and reputational assets.
Whether you're exploring solar options, applying for a grant, or just have a question, we're here to help.
📍 Visit us: Engineering Centre, Southampton Science Park, Southampton, SO16 7NP
📞 Phone: 02382 680 106
✉️ Email: info@absolar.co.uk
🌐 Website: www.absolar.co.uk
👉 Or use our AI-powered solar calculator to request a Remote Solar Survey report for your property.
Follow us for updates: LinkedIn
© 2024 Absolar Solutions Limited
