Commercial solar in Orkney Islands

Solar in Orkney Islands in figures

What the figures show

Capacity in Orkney Islands has grown by 62% since the end of 2020, close to the UK as a whole (69%). In 2025 alone it rose from 2.1 MW to 2.3 MW.

There are 50.9 installations for every 1,000 households, below the Scotland median of 78.4 and below the UK median of 67.0. That is 252nd of 361 council areas, and 24th of 32 in Scotland.

At 4.2 kW on average, most installations here are home-sized, so business roofs make up a small share of what is installed so far.

What a business roof in Orkney Islands could generate

Modelled with PVGIS for the centre of Orkney Islands, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 843 kWh per kWp a year. That is 343rd 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

Scotland has its own planning system: National Planning Framework 4 is the national policy, and non-domestic rooftop solar is covered by the Scottish permitted development order, with conditions. A building warrant may also be needed where the roof structure is altered. Ground-mounted arrays usually need an application to Orkney Islands 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 Scotland 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 Scotland.

Nearby council areas

• Moray, about 102 miles away
• Highland, about 114 miles away
• Aberdeenshire, about 118 miles away
• Shetland Islands, about 120 miles away
• Aberdeen City, about 125 miles away
• Na h-Eileanan Siar, about 145 miles away

Or see every council area and the Scotland 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.