Solar power for energy intensive manufacturing

Solar panels for industrial buildings

Manufacturing sites and factories in the UK offer some of the strongest use cases and commercial returns for solar PV.

Large roof areas, predictable daytime electricity demand and long operating hours mean that, when systems are designed properly, solar can deliver long‑term reductions in energy costs while reducing exposure to volatile grid prices.

Mypower designs and installs award‑winning industrial solar PV systems for manufacturers, factories, logistics operators, cold stores, food producers and industrial estates across the UK.

Is solar PV suitable for industrial buildings?

Solar PV is well suited to many industrial site, but it isn’t a blanket solution for every building.

Industrial and manufacturing facilities typically use a significant proportion of their electricity during daylight hours, which aligns well with when solar generation occurs. Where that demand is consistent, on‑site solar can be used directly, maximising value and reducing reliance on grid electricity.

That said, performance and returns depend on several factors, including roof structure, available roof area, electrical infrastructure and how energy is used on site. This is why system design, not just panel count, matters.

Mypower takes a practical, engineering‑led approach to assessing industrial solar projects. If a site is not technically or commercially suitable, we’ll say so.

We serve a wide range of manufacturing and industrial businesses, spanning sectors such as precision manufacturing, packaging, food production and processing.

Stewart Golf, a UK‑based manufacturer of electric golf trolleys, now meets over 50% of its annual electricity demand from its on‑site solar PV system, generating power at nearly 70% less than grid electricity.

Leeways Packaging Services, a family‑owned manufacturer of thermoformed packaging, consumes around 2.4 million kWh of electricity per year. Their solar PV system now supplies close to 20% of that demand, again producing electricity at around 70% less than their previous grid unit cost.

Long‑term electricity at a materially lower unit cost

Industrial businesses are typically exposed to grid electricity prices of circa 20p per kWh and above, with ongoing volatility making long‑term budgeting difficult.

Mypower designs industrial solar PV systems using independent modelling software to forecast output over a 25‑year operating life. When capital cost, operating and maintenance allowances are spread across that output, solar electricity generated on site typically delivers power at around 5p per kWh.

This represents roughly a 75% reduction in unit energy cost compared to grid‑supplied electricity today. Just as importantly, the majority of this cost is effectively fixed, helping industrial operators reduce exposure to future price shocks and bring greater certainty to financial forecasting.

Proven performance: recent industrial projects

Mypower’s industrial work focuses on businesses with high, consistent electricity demand, where self‑consumption is maximised and economics are most robust.

Sherwood Stainless – Industrial Manufacturing

System size: 694 kWp (1,652 panels installed)
Annual generation: 586,670 kWh
Annual electricity demand met by solar: 40+%
Equivalent electricity cost: 4.97p per kWh over system life
Simple payback: 4.1 years
Annual CO₂ reduction: 121.5 tonnes

For Sherwood Stainless & Aluminium Ltd, solar PV now supplies a meaningful proportion of daytime production energy at a known long‑term cost, reducing reliance on grid electricity and improving margin resilience.

Donaldson Timber - Energy intensive Processing

System size: 1 MWp (2,468 panels installed)
Annual generation: 889,828 kWh
Projected first‑year savings: £177,777
Equivalent electricity cost: 4.66p per kWh
Simple payback: 3.7 years

With energy forming a significant component of processing costs, Donaldson Timber uses solar PV as a long‑term electricity procurement strategy, locking in low‑cost power for decades rather than remaining fully exposed to market pricing.

Designed for industrial and cold storage operations

Industrial sites, including manufacturing, processing and cold storage, typically operate extended hours or continuously, with electricity demand that aligns well with solar generation.

That makes these businesses particularly well suited to solar PV, as a high proportion of energy can be used directly on site, strengthening project economics and shortening payback periods.

Mypower works with a broad range of industrial customers including voestalpine Metsec, Premiere Kitchens, and cold‑storage operators such as Walsh Mushrooms, Daylesford and AJK Cold Stores.

Environmental gains

Not only can industrial solar panels cut costs significantly but they can substantially reduce the carbon footprint of your business. Coveya Ltd, a leading conveyor manufacturer, had a 250kW solar PV system installed by Mypower. Their solar panels will help them avoid 75 tonnes of CO2 annually, which will signifcantly reduce the company's carbon footprint and help lessen their effect on the climate crisis. In addition to environmental gains, Coveya will save more than £880,000 on electricity costs over the next 25 years.

Highly reliable, little maintenance

Good quality industrial solar panels offer the best value for money. Most are warrantied for at least 25 years and, in 25 years' time, they will still be producing over 85% of the electricity they produce today. The actual lifetime of solar panels is estimated to be much longer, at around 40 years. Their uncomplicated design means that little maintenance is required and very little can go wrong with them. To keep your solar panels generating output at their maximum, they should be cleaned annually.

“Making any new investment into technology that is an unknown to you takes a lot of research, meeting numerous suppliers and getting a consensus of target results to be achieved. After my detailed research I always felt a roll out to a bigger system was likely. I engaged with an engineer to help me with the final selection. Ben Harrison of Mypower worked hard to gain the order, planned and installed the system with a very high degree of professionalism. We are very happy with the results to date."

Alan Walsh, Chairman, Walsh Mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do industrial solar panels cost?

Typically costs £75,000 to £100,000 for a 100kWp/250 panel system

Industrial solar PV system costs are driven by a number of factors such as roof type, accessibility and electrical infrastructure. A detailed survey is usually required for an accurate costing. A typical industrial system pricing can range from around £750/kWp to approximately £1,000/kWp, or £75,000 to £100,000 for the installation of a 100kWp/250 panel system. The cost of a solar PV system is typically recovered within the first 4-6 years of operation, sometimes less depending on the price of the grid supplied electricity it is replacing.

Are solar panels cost effective in the UK?

Yes, especially large systems

Yes, solar panels in the UK are typically cost-effective, particularly for large industrial solar PV systems. Alongside the financial benefits of having solar panels, they also significantly reduce a company's carbon footprint and help lessen their effect on climate change.

How large is an industrial solar panel?

Usually around 1.8m by 1.1m

Industrial solar panels are typically around 1.8m by 1.1m in size. In some situations, such as utility scale installations, it makes sense to use slightly larger panels that are around 2.3m by 1.1m in size.

Depending on the electricity demands of the site and availability of suitable roof space, industrial solar PV systems can provide a significant volume of low-cost clean energy to a business. For example, a 500kWp (approx. 1,200 panels) system in the UK will typically generate over 400,000kWh of electricity per annum. This electricity is produced at an equivalent cost that is typically over 80% lower per unit (kWh) than buying from the grid.

Industrial Case Studies

Take a look at what we have been up to recently

All Case Studies

Markey Group

Voestalpine Metsec plc

Sherwood Stainless & Aluminium Ltd

Leeways Packaging Services Ltd

Securing your future

Solar energy offers companies the ability to forward buy their energy at a fixed rate. Now is the time to get ahead of the game and your competition. Contact Mypower for advice and we’ll be happy to discuss the potential of solar power for your business.

If you would like more information along with the facts and the figures on how you can benefit from industrial solar please

get in touch on 01242 620894 or visit our contact page.

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