Is Solar Worth It for UK Manufacturing in 2026?

For most UK manufacturers, energy is now one of the largest uncontrollable operating costs on the balance sheet.

Since 2021, UK wholesale electricity prices have shown unprecedented volatility. Although peak crisis pricing has eased, industrial tariffs remain materially above historical norms.

According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, average non-domestic electricity prices remain significantly higher than pre-2020 levels, even after stabilisation measures.

At the same time, grid constraint pressures reported by National Grid ESO continue to reshape how new generation connects to the network.

So in 2026, the question is not ideological.

It is financial.

1. The Manufacturing Energy Profile: Why It Matters

Manufacturing sites are structurally well suited to solar for three reasons:

•High daytime consumption

•Predictable base load

•Large roof footprints

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows manufacturing remains one of the most electricity-intensive commercial sectors in the UK.

When solar generation coincides with machinery load, self-consumption rates often exceed 70–80%.

That alignment is what makes the economics work.

2. What the Numbers Look Like in 2026 (Realistic Scenario)

Let’s consider a mid-sized UK manufacturer.

500 kWp rooftop system

Annual generation: ~450,000 kWh

Installed cost range: £450k–£550k

Expected system life: 25+ years

If grid electricity is contracted at ~22p/kWh, and solar’s levelised cost sits between 6–9p/kWh over 25 years, the margin differential becomes material.

Indicative outcomes:

• Annual savings: £60,000–£75,000

• Payback period: 4–6 years

• IRR: commonly 15–20%+

Even using conservative modelling, solar continues to outperform many internal capital projects in terms of return.

For reference, UK commercial solar capacity has continued to expand year-on-year according to the Solar Energy UK market reports — not because of subsidies, but because of economics.

3. What About Capital Constraints?

Manufacturers often prioritise capex for machinery and expansion.

In 2026, solar projects are typically structured as:

• Cash purchase

• Asset finance / hire purchase

• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

Under a PPA, the business installs solar at zero cost and purchases electricity at an agreed discounted rate relative to projected grid pricing.

This structure has become increasingly common in industrial settings.

4. The Strategic Case Beyond Energy Savings

EBITDA Impact

Reducing operating costs directly increases EBITDA. For owner-managed manufacturers, this impacts valuation multiples and refinancing conditions.

Supply Chain & ESG Pressure

Larger procurement frameworks increasingly request carbon reporting data aligned with Scope 2 reductions. Solar provides measurable reductions.

Energy Risk Hedging

Solar does not eliminate exposure — but it hedges a significant portion of it for 25 years.

In volatile sectors, predictability has tangible value.

5. Grid Constraints: Barrier or Design Challenge?

The National Grid has repeatedly highlighted connection bottlenecks in certain UK regions.

However, grid constraints rarely eliminate feasibility — they alter system design.

Solutions may include:

• Export limitation devices

• Designing primarily for self-consumption

• Battery storage integration

• Phased connection strategy

Grid complexity is a technical issue, not a financial impossibility.

6. The Cost of Delay

If a properly designed 500 kWp system generates £65,000 in annual savings:

A 3-year delay represents ~£195,000 in unrealised benefit.

Energy prices would need to fall dramatically and remain suppressed long-term to justify postponement — a scenario few analysts currently project.

When Solar May Not Be Suitable

Solar may require deeper evaluation if:

• Lease terms are short

• Daytime load is minimal

• Export restrictions severely limit sizing

A professional feasibility assessment including structural survey and DNO review is essential.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

For most UK manufacturing businesses that:

• Operate primarily in daylight hours

• Spend six figures annually on electricity

• Control their roof space

• Plan to remain long term

Commercial solar in 2026 remains:

Financially compelling.

Strategically stabilising.

Operationally proven.

The difference lies in engineering discipline and financial structuring — not in the panels themselves.