Three ways to put solar on your roof. Pick the one that fits your balance sheet.
UK commercial solar isn't one-size-fits-all. The right route depends on your tax position, your appetite for capex, and whether you want to own the asset outright.
Best returns
Outright Purchase
Buy the system on the balance sheet and own the asset from day one.
Pros
Full Expensing: 25% first-year Corporation Tax relief on capex
Highest 10-year net saving of any route
You keep every kWh of generation and every export payment
System is an appreciating hedge against grid price rises
Trade-offs
Requires upfront capital or debt facility
You carry the O&M relationship
Best for: Profitable UK companies with capex headroom and a corporation tax bill to offset.
Balance-sheet friendly
Operating Lease
A finance provider owns the system; you pay a fixed monthly rental over 5-10 years.
Pros
Zero upfront capex
Rental is a P&L cost, often offset entirely by day-one energy savings
Fixed, predictable payments
Option to purchase at end of term
Trade-offs
Total cost higher than outright purchase
Cannot claim Full Expensing (lessor does)
Best for: Businesses that want the savings now without deploying cash, and value predictability.
Zero capex
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
A third party funds, owns and operates the system. You buy the power it generates at a discounted fixed unit rate.
Pros
No capex, no debt, no O&M responsibility
Immediate day-one saving vs. grid tariff
Fixed unit rate for 15-25 years hedges against future price rises
Option to buy the system out at agreed points
Trade-offs
Lowest cumulative saving of the three routes
Long-term contract with a third party on your roof
Best for: Organisations that cannot deploy capex (public sector, charities, tight-margin operators).
Not sure which route fits?
Get the numbers first. We'll walk through the options on the discovery call.