Commercial solar in Cornwall

Solar in Cornwall in figures

What the figures show

Capacity in Cornwall has grown by 14% since the end of 2020, slower than the UK as a whole (69%). In 2025 alone it rose from 656.8 MW to 683.0 MW.

There are 138.7 installations for every 1,000 households, above the South West median of 108.0 and above the UK median of 67.0. That is 24th of 361 council areas, and 8th of 27 in South West.

The average installation is 19.7 kW, about twice a typical home system, so larger commercial, farm and ground-mounted systems make up a good share of the capacity.

What a business roof in Cornwall could generate

Modelled with PVGIS for the centre of Cornwall, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,020 kWh per kWp a year. That is 111th of 361 council areas; the UK median is 998 kWh.

Same sums as our commercial solar calculator: illustrative, not a quote. East- or west-facing roofs, shading and how much power you use in daylight all move these figures, and a company paying corporation tax can usually shorten the payback with capital allowances. See the cost guide for price ranges by system size.

Planning and grid connection

Cornwall follows the national planning rules for England. Permitted development rights for non-domestic rooftop solar were widened in December 2023, including removal of the old 1 MW limit, but conditions still apply, especially for listed buildings and conservation areas. Ground-mounted arrays and carports usually need an application to the council, or to a national park authority inside a national park. Our planning permission guide sets out the conditions.

Most commercial systems need G99 approval from the local network operator before they are switched on. The operator follows the postcode rather than the council boundary: our South West page covers the operators in the region, and the Energy Networks Association postcode tool confirms yours. See G99 and DNO applications.

For funding, see grants and reliefs in England.

Nearby council areas

• Plymouth, about 24 miles away
• West Devon, about 30 miles away
• South Hams, about 37 miles away
• Torridge, about 37 miles away
• Teignbridge, about 45 miles away
• Torbay, about 48 miles away

Or see every council area and the South West page.

Where these figures come from

Installations, capacity, generation and households: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Regional Renewable Statistics, renewable electricity by local authority 2014 to 2025 (workbook). They cover all solar PV, homes and businesses, including ground-mounted schemes. Yield: PVGIS 5.3 (European Commission Joint Research Centre), SARAH3 data and 14% system losses, for the council area's centre point (ONS boundaries, December 2024), modelled 4 November 2026. Distances are between centre points.