Commercial solar in Cumberland

Solar in Cumberland in figures

What the figures show

Capacity in Cumberland has grown by 35% since the end of 2020, slower than the UK as a whole (69%). In 2025 alone it rose from 80.2 MW to 86.0 MW.

There are 64.9 installations for every 1,000 households, above the North West median of 52.1 and below the UK median of 67.0. That is 191st of 361 council areas, and 9th of 35 in North West.

The average installation is 10.6 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 Cumberland could generate

Modelled with PVGIS for the centre of Cumberland, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 819 kWh per kWp a year. That is 354th 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

Cumberland 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 North 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

• Westmorland and Furness, about 27 miles away
• Dumfries and Galloway, about 40 miles away
• Lancaster, about 49 miles away
• Wyre, about 58 miles away
• County Durham, about 58 miles away
• Scottish Borders, about 61 miles away

Or see every council area and the North 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.