What is the Installation Process for Commercial Solar Panels in the UK?

Commercial solar installations have become an increasingly popular choice for UK businesses, offering both financial and environmental benefits. The installation process involves a series of crucial steps to ensure a smooth, safe, and efficient end product. Using our many years of experience, here’s our simple overview of each phase in the commercial solar installation journey.

The Eden delivery process

Site assessment with the install team

1. Site Assessment

The first step involves an energy usage assessment which helps determine the size and scale of the system required, ideally using existing half hourly electricity data for the building. Thereafter, a detailed site assessment is undertaken, which includes evaluating the available roof or ground space, shading factors, and overall structural integrity. Qualified engineers assess the suitability of the site to maximise sunlight exposure and ensure the structure (if a building) can bear the load of the panels.

Our in-house design team tailor to your needs

2. System Design

After a site assessment, our design team design a system tailored to your business's specific energy needs and site conditions. The design phase includes deciding on panel types, inverter specifications and potential battery storage options. At this stage, the layout is planned to ensure maximum efficiency, safety, and compliance with industry standards. Additionally, the electrical connections to the grid and to on-site systems are planned to meet current regulations and avoid issues during installation.

3. Consents and Permissions

In the UK, commercial solar installations typically require certain approvals. Businesses may need planning permission from local councils (unless permitted development rules apply), especially for ground-mounted systems or installations in conservation areas. Distribution Network Operator (DNO) approval is often necessary to connect to the grid, ensuring the local network can handle the new electricity source. Some larger ground or car port systems might also require ground and/or environmental assessments, adding time and cost to the consent process. None of these are showstoppers, but awareness and proper sequencing will save time.

4. Legal Agreements

Where a solar installation is fully funded by Eden (using our PPA product), legal agreements will be required, including a lease and power purchase agreements. If you are self-funding the system, then a construction contract is drafted to clearly outline the scope, costs, and expected timeline. Agreements should also address ownership terms, warranty conditions, and maintenance responsibilities to avoid misunderstandings.

Professional installers build to spec with minimum disruption to your business

5. Installation

Once all design, planning and legal matters are settled, the actual installation begins. This phase typically includes mounting the panels, connecting inverters, wiring to the building’s power system and setting up monitoring systems. Professional installers ensure that all of th system’s elements are securely fastened, weatherproof, and correctly aligned. The installation process itself can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending upon the system's size and complexity.

Standards are kept very high to ensure safety, compliance and system efficiency

6. Commissioning

After installation, the system undergoes a commissioning phase, where engineers perform final checks to confirm that everything is working as designed. This involves testing the electrical connections, inverters, and monitoring system. During commissioning, the DNO may also conduct an inspection to approve the grid connection, enabling the system to operate fully. Once commissioning is complete, the system is ready to generate power.

7. Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

After commissioning, regular maintenance ensures the solar array continues to perform optimally. Most commercial solar installations benefit from annual inspections, inverter testing, and panel cleaning. A well-maintained system can produce energy in excess of 85% of design capacity for 25 years or more. Many businesses also opt for remote monitoring services, enabling them to track performance and detect potential issues before they impact output.

Our in-house O&M team monitor your system to ensure that it is performing to its optimal level.

Take your step to a more sustainable future

Installing commercial solar panels in the UK involves a structured, multi-step process, from the initial site assessment to long-term maintenance. By following each step diligently, businesses can enjoy the benefits of renewable energy while ensuring the longevity and performance of their solar system.

Fortunately, Eden Sustainable have been developing and installing commercial solar installations since 2014 and so are well-placed to assist you with every step of the development. If you’re thinking about making the switch to a more sustainable energy future then contact us via our website and we’d love to help you unlock the benefits.