Solar in Reading in figures
| Solar PV installations, end of 2025 | 3,309 |
| Installed capacity, end of 2025 | 14.1 MW |
| Capacity, end of 2024 | 12.3 MW |
| Capacity, end of 2020 | 5.9 MW |
| Generation in 2025 | 13 GWh |
| Installations per 1,000 households | 48.9 (UK median 67.0) |
| Average size per installation | 4.3 kW |
| Rank by capacity | 279th of 361 UK council areas; 49th of 64 in South East |
What the figures show
Capacity in Reading has grown by 138% since the end of 2020, faster than the UK as a whole (69%). In 2025 alone it rose from 12.3 MW to 14.1 MW.
There are 48.9 installations for every 1,000 households, below the South East median of 74.2 and below the UK median of 67.0. That is 262nd of 361 council areas, and 54th of 64 in South East.
At 4.3 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 Reading could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the centre of Reading, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,013 kWh per kWp a year. That is 156th of 361 council areas; the UK median is 998 kWh.
| Item | Illustrative figure |
|---|---|
| System | 100 kWp, south facing at 30 degrees |
| Installed cost | £900 per kWp, so £90,000 excluding VAT |
| Generation | 1,013 kWh per kWp, about 101,300 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70%, so 70,910 kWh at 24p = £17,018 saved |
| Exported | 30%, so 30,390 kWh at 5p = £1,520 earned |
| Total a year | About £18,538 |
| Simple payback | About 4.9 years before tax relief |
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
Reading 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 East 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
- Wokingham, about 4 miles away
- Bracknell Forest, about 11 miles away
- West Berkshire, about 12 miles away
- South Oxfordshire, about 12 miles away
- Hart, about 12 miles away
- Windsor and Maidenhead, about 14 miles away
Or see every council area and the South East 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much solar is installed in Reading?
At the end of 2025, Reading had 3,309 solar PV installations with a combined capacity of 14.1 MW, which generated about 13 GWh in 2025, according to government figures. That covers homes, businesses and ground-mounted schemes.
How much would solar on a business roof in Reading generate?
About 1,013 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof at 30 degrees, modelled with PVGIS for the centre of Reading. A 100 kWp system would make roughly 101,300 kWh a year. Orientation, pitch and shading change this, and a site survey models your own roof.
Can a business in Reading get a free solar survey?
Yes. Answer six short questions and we match the site with one MCS certified installer, who surveys it on site or by video call. The survey is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. Get a free survey.
Related pages
- South EastTwo network operators, strong south coast yields, Kent horticulture, Thames Valley offices and Solent logistics, and the clean air zones that affect fleets.
- Council areasSolar installations, capacity, growth and modelled yield for all 361 UK council areas, with a page for each and a CSV download.
- Commercial solar calculatorEstimate commercial solar savings and payback, with the generation, price and cost assumptions shown and sourced, and the limits of a simple estimate explained.
- EnglandCurrent solar support in England for businesses, schools, public bodies, community groups and farms, plus rates, planning and who to contact.
Commercial solar costIllustrative prices per kWp by system size, extra costs, running costs, VAT and tax.