Commercial and agricultural solar in Northern Ireland
Farm sheds and industrial roofs are the best solar sites in Northern Ireland. Large unshaded spans, no scaffolding constraints, and a load profile that peaks exactly when the panels are producing.
- Free survey, fixed written quote
- Manufacturer warranties registered
- NICEIC-approved electricians
- Grid paperwork handled
The short answer
Is commercial solar worth it in Northern Ireland?
Key figures
- Typical system size
- 20 kWp – 500 kWp
- Cost per kWp
- £550 – £900 depending on scale
- Self-consumption
- 80–95% for daytime-load businesses
- Typical payback
- 4–7 years
- Grid approval
- G99 application to NIE Networks
- Tax treatment
- Generally Annual Investment Allowance eligible
Who we work with
Sectors where the numbers stack up
The common factor is daytime load. If your electricity demand peaks between nine and five, solar in Northern Ireland works harder for you than it does for any household.
Dairy and livestock farms
Milking, plate cooling, vacuum pumps and refrigeration run through the middle of the day. Shed roofs are large, unshaded and structurally simple. A 50 kWp array on a dairy is one of the most reliable investments in NI agriculture.
Poultry and grain
Ventilation and drying loads are substantial and daylight-aligned. Multiple sheds allow phased installation, spreading capital cost across financial years while building generation.
Light industrial and warehousing
Compressors, extraction, lighting and process loads. Flat and shallow-pitch roofs suit ballasted or mechanically fixed mounting, subject to a structural loading assessment we carry out before design.
Retail, hospitality and offices
Air conditioning and refrigeration peak precisely when generation does. Fleet and customer EV charging can be added to the same connection, turning a compliance cost into a revenue line.
Our commercial process
Feasibility before capital
Commercial projects fail on grid capacity and roof structure far more often than on panel choice. We test both before you commit anything.
- Half-hourly consumption analysis to size against real load
- Roof structural loading assessment
- Yield modelling with shading and soiling losses
- NIE Networks capacity check and G99 application
- Export limitation design where the connection requires it
- Financial model — payback, IRR and lifetime savings
- Capital allowance summary for your accountant
- Phased installation planning to minimise downtime
- O&M package with performance monitoring and annual inspection
FAQs
Commercial solar questions
Is commercial solar worth it in Northern Ireland?
Usually more so than domestic. Businesses consume most of their electricity during daylight hours, which means self-consumption rates of 80–95% rather than the 35% a typical household achieves without a battery. With commercial import rates and Annual Investment Allowance relief, payback of four to seven years is common.
How much does commercial solar cost per kWp?
Cost per kWp falls sharply with scale. A 30 kWp farm shed array typically lands around £700–£900 per kWp installed, and a 200 kWp commercial roof around £550–£750 per kWp. Ballasted flat-roof systems and roofs needing structural strengthening sit at the higher end.
Do I need G99 approval for a commercial system?
Almost certainly. Anything above 3.68 kW per phase requires a G99 application to NIE Networks and approval before connection. Larger systems may also need an export limitation device or a network reinforcement contribution. We scope this at the feasibility stage so it does not derail the programme.
Can solar be installed on an agricultural shed roof?
Yes, and they are often the best sites in Northern Ireland — large unshaded spans, simple access, and daytime loads from milking parlours, refrigeration, grain drying and ventilation. Fibre cement sheet roofs need a structural check and appropriate non-penetrating fixings, both of which we assess at survey.
Is commercial solar tax deductible?
In most cases commercial solar qualifies for the Annual Investment Allowance, allowing the full capital cost to be set against taxable profits in the year of expenditure. Treatment depends on your circumstances, so confirm the position with your accountant before you order.
Get a commercial feasibility study
Send us twelve months of half-hourly data and a roof plan. We will come back with generation, self-consumption, payback and the grid position — before you spend anything.