Climate targets, rising energy prices and growing customer demand for sustainability mean commercial solar is no longer just a “nice to have”, it’s a sound business investment. The good news for many UK businesses is that grant programmes now exist to reduce the upfront cost of solar installations, making the payback faster and projects more attractive for firms of all sizes.
In this article I’ll explain the grant funding currently available through BEAS, what types of businesses qualify, the kinds of solar measures that can be funded, and how EcoSolar UK can help you plan, apply and deliver a successful project tailored to your commercial or industrial building. I’ll include practical examples and guidance along the way.
What grant funding is available for solar in the UK?
One of the most important schemes to know about right now is the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS). BEAS offers free energy assessments for qualifying SMEs and provides 50% match-funded grants for eligible energy-saving measures, with grant awards available up to £100,000. Crucially for the solar sector, BEAS explicitly lists solar panels as a project type that can be supported.
BEAS is aimed at helping businesses cut energy use, lower costs and reduce carbon emissions by funding practical measures. The combination of a free technical audit plus matched funding means businesses can obtain expert guidance to design a robust solar solution while significantly lowering the capital required to install photovoltaic (PV) systems or battery storage.
Who is eligible for BEAS grants?
Understanding eligibility early avoids wasted time. Key BEAS rules businesses should check:
- They must be an SME: fewer than 250 employees and turnover under about £42 million (or balance sheet under about £36 million) in many cases.
- They must have an annual energy use of at least 25,000 kWh (electricity and/or gas).
- They must operate from a commercial address and have been responsible for paying energy bills for the business.
- They must register for the free energy assessment before applying for a grant.
In addition, for solar-specific funding under BEAS the maximum grant for solar PV may be capped at around £50,000 or 50% of cost, whichever is smaller.
It’s important to note that even if you meet eligibility, you must go through the audit and application process before committing to spend.
What solar measures can BEAS fund?
BEAS supports a wide range of energy-efficiency measures, and importantly for commercial customers it lists solar panels among funded options. Typical projects include:
- Roof-mounted commercial PV systems sized to suit warehouses, factories, offices and retail units.
- Battery storage to capture daytime generation for use during peak rates (often combined). (While the scheme wording is broader, many businesses use PV + storage as a combined solution.)
- Complementary efficiency works that improve overall system performance (e.g., lighting upgrades, controls, insulation). This can be helpful where a combined upgrade increases the total savings and strengthens the grant case.
Because BEAS is match-funded, a business that wants, for example, a £100,000 solar project would need to provide £50,000 of the project cost (i.e., the business share) while BEAS could provide the remaining £50,000, substantially cutting the barrier to entry for larger commercial projects.
Why grant-funded solar makes strong commercial sense
There are several compelling reasons why businesses should seriously consider solar installations backed by grant funding:
- Lower upfront cost, faster payback. With the grant covering up to 50% of the cost, the business share is reduced, and the payback period improves.
- Improved ROI on larger roofs. Industrial and warehouse roofs often deliver the lowest cost-per-kWh when fitted with PV because of the available area, making grant-supported projects even more efficient.
- Energy resilience and price-risk mitigation. Adding battery storage with solar reduces exposure to volatile grid prices and supports business continuity during outages.
- Sustainability credentials. With net-zero plans, tender responses or corporate sustainability reporting increasingly requiring demonstrable emissions reductions, solar helps tick those boxes.
- Technical guidance included. The free energy assessment via BEAS gives you a validated plan before committing financially, reducing risk of poorly designed systems.
In essence, grant-funded solar shifts the business case from “nice to have” to “smart strategic investment”.
How EcoSolar UK supports grant-funded projects
EcoSolar UK specialises in bespoke, commercial and industrial solar projects — from initial feasibility to long-term maintenance. The company offers:
- Pre-installation planning and feasibility surveys, including roof condition and shading analysis, so the grant application stands on robust technical data.
- Complete solar PV design and installation for businesses of all sizes, ensuring systems are sized to match energy consumption and building constraints.
- Battery storage integration when required, to maximise self-consumption and resilience.
- Servicing and maintenance contracts to protect performance and maximise lifetime yield, a key consideration for any funded project.
Because EcoSolar is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited, clients benefit from an established quality and environmental management framework, useful evidence when preparing grant submissions.
This means EcoSolar doesn’t just install panels; they partner throughout the project lifecycle, making the most of grant funding mechanisms and delivering real outcomes.
Applying BEAS and delivering your EcoSolar project
Here’s how a business might proceed:
- Initial check: Confirm your business meets BEAS eligibility (SME, 25,000 kWh+ annual energy use, commercial address). The BEAS site provides an energy usage calculator.
- Register for BEAS and request an assessment: BEAS offers a free energy audit which will identify solar suitability alongside other cost-saving measures.
- Feasibility and quote: EcoSolar will undertake site surveys, create a tailored PV and storage design and provide the capital cost estimate needed for the matched-funding application.
- Submit match-funding application: Use the BEAS application route, including the energy assessment findings and EcoSolar’s technical specification and cost breakdown.
- Award and installation: Once the grant is approved, EcoSolar schedules and delivers the installation, ensures compliance and hands over the system with performance guarantees.
- Post-install monitoring and maintenance: EcoSolar provides servicing to keep your system delivering expected returns and to support any future funding audit requirements.
By following this clear sequence, the business ensures that the grant scheme is used effectively and that the solar installation delivers maximum value.
Typical commercial use-cases
To bring things into sharper focus, here are hypothetical scenarios where solar and grant funding delivers strong business outcomes:
- A warehouse operator with a large flat roof and high daytime electricity demand: A matched-funded solar installation via BEAS might reduce the upfront cost by half, deliver significant lifetime savings and increase resilience.
- A manufacturing plant with high process loads: The energy audit identifies solar PV plus improving lighting and machinery controls. The combined project qualifies for BEAS match funding, improving overall internal return on investment.
- A retail distribution centre that has high electricity use during daytime operations, ample roof space, and strong case for solar plus battery make it ideal. The grant enables the business to move ahead sooner rather than delaying until ROI alone is unattractive.
These are realistic business types with large roof or industrial/warehouse operations, which match the characteristics many installers and funding schemes look for to validate solar projects.
Helpful tips when preparing a BEAS application
- Have accurate energy bills ready: BEAS requires evidence of prior energy usage. The Energy Usage Calculator helps estimate, but actual bills strengthen your case.
- Bundle measures where sensible: Combining solar PV with lighting or machinery efficiency can increase the total energy savings and may strengthen your grant case.
- Prepare roof surveys and structural reports: The audit will want to confirm your site is suitable for solar. EcoSolar can provide these documents.
- Factor in maintenance and insurance: Grant funding typically covers capital works; ongoing upkeep is essential for long-term returns. EcoSolar offers maintenance packages to simplify this.
Don’t assume the grant covers everything: As noted, for solar specifically the maximum may be capped (e.g. £50,000 for solar under some schemes) so verify the terms.
Why choose EcoSolar UK?
EcoSolar delivers full turn-key commercial and industrial solar solutions with an emphasis on quality, compliance and long-term performance. Their services include pre-installation planning, full installation, battery integration and maintenance, paired with the practical experience to support grant applications and energy assessments. EcoSolar’s accreditations (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other industry certifications) provide additional confidence when applying for matched funding. Their focus is on delivering the best service in solar power technology, bringing sustainability into the heart of what they do.
How we can help you right now
If you feel ready to explore this further, here’s how EcoSolar can support you immediately:
- Contact EcoSolar with your recent energy bills, your business location and an idea of your roof size or building type – they’ll help check grant eligibility.
- Arrange for a free feasibility discussion where EcoSolar reviews your site, estimates potential generation and savings, and outlines what size system might suit you.
- Assist you with registering for the BEAS free assessment, interpreting the results, preparing a capital cost budget and guiding you through the grant application process
- Once you’re approved, EcoSolar manages the installation, ensures compliance, hands over your system and offers ongoing maintenance support.