What a desk feasibility should include
PVSyst yield modelling
Full PVSyst simulation of your specific roof or land area with P50 and P90 generation estimates, shading analysis, and inverter clipping calculation. Industry-standard yield modelling, not marketing brochure numbers.
Indicative capex breakdown
Itemised capex estimate with 12 line items — modules, inverters, mounting, DC/AC cabling, switchgear, scaffolding, DNO fees, MCS, structural sign-off, commissioning, PM, contingency. Not a single bundled number.
AIA-adjusted financial model
Full 4-metric DCF: simple payback, discounted payback, IRR, 25-year NPV. AIA tax relief calculated against your specific corporation tax position. Year-by-year cash flow projection for 25 years.
4-route finance comparison
Side-by-side comparison of cash + AIA, asset finance, operating lease, and PPA routes. Year-one cash position, total cost of ownership, IRR per route. Plus grant eligibility screen (PSDS, IETF, regional).
DNO constraints check
ENA Connections portal lookup for your specific substation. G98 vs G99 assessment. Reinforcement risk flagged. Connection cost estimate. Timeline projection from DNO application to commissioning.
Sector load profile modelling
Sector-specific self-consumption modelling against your half-hourly meter data. Identifies battery storage opportunity. Quantifies DUoS red-zone shaving potential. ESG / Scope 2 emissions impact.
How the quote process works
Three stages from initial enquiry to commissioned solar system. Each stage has clear deliverables, defined timelines, and explicit decision points — no surprises, no committee-meeting delays, no scope creep.
Stage 1: Desk feasibility (5 working days, free)
Submit your basic information via the quote form. Have ready the information an installer will usually ask for (typically: copy of recent electricity bills, photo of main fuse cupboard, roof drawings or address for satellite imagery review). The report covers everything in the "What's in your feasibility" section above — PVSyst yield, capex breakdown, financial model, finance routes, DNO assessment, sector modelling. You make a go/no-go decision based on the desk feasibility before any site visit or hard commitment. Most clients spend 2-4 working days reviewing the feasibility, often forwarding to finance director or trustees for review. Approximately 60% of desk feasibilities proceed to Stage 2; 40% don't proceed (either economics don't pencil for that site, or timing/priorities change). Either way, zero cost to you.
Stage 2: Site survey (1-2 weeks elapsed, free for sub-100 kW)
The survey takes 2-4 hours on site and covers: full roof inspection (mounting points, condition, asbestos status, structural capacity), electrical survey (switchgear capacity, supply phase configuration, metering, earthing), shading assessment with Solmetric SunEye or equivalent, drone roof scan if useful, structural engineer's review if structural concerns flagged in desk feasibility. Ask whether a site survey fee applies at your project size, and whether any fee is refundable against the project if you proceed. The fee covers structural engineer's time, drone survey, and the senior installer's day on site.
Stage 3: Fixed-price quote (10 working days after site survey)
Ask the installer to issue the fixed-price quote within 10 working days of the site survey. The quote document is typically 12-25 pages and includes: itemised cost breakdown (12 line items minimum), updated PVSyst yield model with site-specific shading and inverter clipping factored in, updated 4-metric DCF (simple payback, discounted payback, IRR, 25-year NPV), finance route comparison with named lender and indicative monthly payment if asset finance route preferred, project timeline week-by-week from contract to commissioning, named project manager + named site supervisor + named commissioning engineer, insurance certificates (£5m+ public liability + £5m+ professional indemnity), and reference list with 3-5 similar-scale UK installs contactable directly. Quotes should be fixed-price, valid 30 days, with milestone payment terms (typically 30/30/30/10). Avoid change-order ambiguity — if scope changes, agree the change price separately.
Beyond the quote: install + commissioning
After contract signature, the install process runs through: (1) DNO application (G99 fast-track 4-8 weeks or full G99 6-18 months), (2) module + inverter procurement (4-12 weeks lead time depending on brand and quantity), (3) scaffolding erection (1-3 days), (4) panel installation (2-15 days depending on system size), (5) electrical commissioning (1-3 days), (6) DNO witness test (G99 only, 1 day attended by DNO engineer), (7) handover documentation pack (as-built drawings, datasheets, warranties, manuals, PVSyst model). Total contract-to-commissioning timeline: 10-16 weeks for sub-50 kW G99 fast-track projects; 24-36 weeks for 100-500 kW G99; 36-64 weeks for 500 kW+. Ask the installer to project-manage the entire process with weekly progress reports, a named PM as your single point of contact, and full transparency on any timeline variances.
What to insist on in a commercial solar quote
Three things to insist on in any UK commercial solar quote. (1) An MCS-certified installer — there are installers in every UK region (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Newcastle, Liverpool, Southampton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Oxford, and more — see locations). (2) An honest feasibility — a desk feasibility should be free with no obligation and should say when the economics do not pencil; a good installer will tell you not to proceed. (3) Sector knowledge — this site covers all UK commercial sectors with sector-specific design, finance and operational guidance: factories, warehouses, hotels, schools, care homes, cold storage, food + beverage, offices, and more.
What a desk feasibility does not include (and why)
Not included: on-site structural engineer's report (delivered as part of site survey if commissioned), formal grid form for G99 application (drawn up after contract signature), detailed shading analysis with Solmetric SunEye (site survey only — desk feasibility uses Google Earth and PVSyst horizon estimate), specific module and inverter brand selection (preliminary in desk feasibility, finalised at quote stage), bank-grade financial model with credit committee sensitivity analysis (available at quote stage; ask for the underlying spreadsheet).
Commercial solar quote — common questions
How do I get a quote for commercial solar panels in the UK?
Three steps for a credible UK commercial solar quote in 2026. (1) Gather 5 documents: last 12 months electricity bills (or half-hourly meter data), photo of main fuse/meter cupboard, building floor plan or roof drawing, ownership/landlord status, latest company accounts (for asset finance route). (2) Send an enquiry via the form below — a typical submission takes 90 seconds with the basic information. We reply by email. (3) A desk feasibility from an installer should cover: PVSyst yield model with P50/P90, indicative capex range and itemised breakdown, AIA-adjusted net effective cost, 4-route finance comparison, DNO constraints check, and sector-specific load profile modelling. From there, ask the installer for a fixed-price quote after the site survey, with the date it will arrive.
How long does it take to get a commercial solar quote?
Two stages in the UK commercial solar quote process: (1) Desk feasibility, which a good installer completes from your basic information (no site visit required, PVSyst modelling done from roof drawings and meter data); ask the installer to confirm the date it will arrive. (2) Fixed-price quote, which follows the site survey; ask the installer to confirm the date. Total elapsed time from initial enquiry to fixed-price quote in hand: typically 3-4 weeks. From fixed quote to install commissioning: 8-16 weeks for sub-50 kW systems (G99 fast-track DNO), 24-36 weeks for 100-500 kW (full G99 DNO), 36-64 weeks for 500 kW+. Total elapsed time enquiry to live solar: 3-12 months depending on system size.
Are commercial solar quotes free in the UK?
Yes — desk feasibility quotes are free, no obligation, no upsell. The desk feasibility includes PVSyst yield modelling, capex estimation, finance comparison, and DNO constraints check — all worth £500-£1,500 if procured separately from a consultancy. The only paid-for stage is the site survey itself for projects above 100 kW (typically £400-£1,200 depending on site complexity, fully refundable if you proceed with us). For sub-100 kW SME projects, site survey is also free as part of the quote process.
How many commercial solar quotes should I get?
Always at least 3 quotes from MCS-certified installers — that's the industry guidance and the right number for due diligence. More than 3 (5-7 quotes) is overkill and slows your decision; 1 quote leaves you exposed to over-pricing. Compare quotes on 7 dimensions, not just headline price: (1) itemised line items (12 categories minimum), (2) module brand and warranty, (3) inverter brand and warranty, (4) PVSyst yield model with P50/P90, (5) 4-metric DCF financial output, (6) installer accreditations + insurance + references, (7) project timeline + named PM. Cheapest is rarely best. Get all 3 quotes from MCS-certified installers in your area.
What information do I need to provide to get a commercial solar quote?
Minimum information for a desk feasibility: postcode, building type (office/warehouse/factory/etc), approximate annual electricity spend or annual kWh, and your name and contact details. Better information delivers a tighter quote: roof drawings or photo, last 12 months bills, half-hourly meter data if available, building age, listed/conservation status. Comprehensive information (delivered with desk feasibility): half-hourly meter data, roof structural drawings, switchgear photos, building plans, asbestos status, business growth plans (for sizing decisions). The enquiry form below takes 90 seconds with minimum info, and further detail can be sent by email afterwards.