What changes from place to place
| Factor | What differs | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Network operator | Six distribution network operator groups cover Great Britain; NIE Networks covers Northern Ireland | G99 and DNO applications |
| Solar yield | Indicatively around 800 to 1,050 kWh per kWp a year, higher in the south | Solar payback |
| Planning | England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own rules | Planning permission guide |
| Support | Grants, loans and reliefs vary by nation | Grants |
| Export payments | The Smart Export Guarantee applies in Great Britain, not Northern Ireland | Smart Export Guarantee |
The survey works the same way everywhere: in person or by video, carried out by one MCS certified installer matched to your site. Choose your region or nation below for the local detail.
Regions and nations
- LondonUK Power Networks connections, London Plan energy policy for major developments, ULEZ and fleet charging, and what London roofs typically produce.
- South EastTwo network operators, strong south coast yields, Kent horticulture, Thames Valley offices and Solent logistics, and the clean air zones that affect fleets.
- East of EnglandUK Power Networks connections, strong yields, the Felixstowe and A14 logistics corridor, arable farming and food processing across Norfolk, Suffolk and the Fens.
- South WestThe strongest yields in mainland Britain, a network with limited export capacity in places, Bristol and Bath clean air zones, dairy farming and Severnside logistics.
- West MidlandsNGED connections, the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, automotive and metals manufacturing, M6 and M42 logistics, and fruit and hop farming in the west.
- East MidlandsNGED connections, Golden Triangle logistics, Lincolnshire farming and food processing, Derby manufacturing and the Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy.
- North WestTwo network operators, realistic northern yields, Trafford Park, the Port of Liverpool, Cheshire chemicals and Cumbrian farming, and Greater Manchester's non-charging clean air plan.
- North EastNorthern Powergrid connections, the Tyneside Clean Air Zone, Teesside and Sunderland manufacturing, Tyne and Tees ports, and Northumberland farming.
- Yorkshire and the HumberNorthern Powergrid connections, Sheffield and Bradford clean air zones, Humber ports and industry, M62 and M1 logistics, and East Riding arable farming.
- ScotlandSP Energy Networks and SSEN connections, NPF4 and Scottish permitted development, the four city low emission zones, the Scottish rates exemption and realistic yields.
- WalesNGED and SP Energy Networks connections, Planning Policy Wales and Welsh permitted development, the Welsh rates exemption to 2035, and farm, factory and port roofs.
- Northern IrelandNIE Networks and the G98/NI and G99/NI process, no Smart Export Guarantee, council-led planning, and the agri-food and manufacturing buildings that suit solar.
Major cities
- AberdeenSSEN G99 approvals in the north of Scotland, planning across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, the Low Emission Zone and energy industry roofs at Dyce, Altens and Tullos.
- BelfastNIE Networks G99/NI connections, council planning since 2015, no Smart Export Guarantee, and roofs at Belfast Harbour, Mallusk and the city's old linen buildings.
- BirminghamGrid connections with National Grid Electricity Distribution, planning across Birmingham and Solihull, the Class D Clean Air Zone and typical factory roofs.
- BristolNGED South West grid approvals, planning across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, the Class D Clean Air Zone and Avonmouth's large logistics roofs.
- CardiffNGED South Wales grid approvals, Welsh permitted development for non-domestic solar, the proposed workplace parking levy, and roofs from Wentloog to Cardiff Bay.
- EdinburghSP Energy Networks G99 approvals, World Heritage Site and listed building planning, the Low Emission Zone, and roofs at Leith, Newbridge and the business parks.
- GlasgowSP Energy Networks G99 approvals, Scottish permitted development, the city centre Low Emission Zone and roofs from Hillington Park to Eurocentral.
- LeedsNorthern Powergrid G99 approvals, planning across Leeds and neighbouring West Yorkshire councils, Aire Valley and M62 logistics roofs and listed mill buildings.
- LiverpoolSP Energy Networks G99 approvals, planning across Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral, port and logistics roofs and listed dock buildings.
- ManchesterG99 with SP Electricity North West, planning across Manchester, Trafford and Salford, the non-charging clean air plan and the city's mill, warehouse and shed roofs.
- NewcastleNorthern Powergrid G99 approvals, planning across Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside, the Class C Clean Air Zone and Tyneside's industrial roofs.
- NottinghamNGED East Midlands grid approvals, planning across Nottingham, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe, the Workplace Parking Levy and the city's lace warehouses and modern sheds.
- SheffieldNorthern Powergrid G99 approvals, Sheffield and Rotherham planning, the Class C Clean Air Zone for vans and HGVs, and steel and engineering roofs.
- SouthamptonSSEN grid approvals, planning across Southampton, Eastleigh, Test Valley and the New Forest, port and logistics roofs and some of the best yields in the UK.
Related pages
- G99 and DNO applicationsG98 versus G99, what goes into a DNO application, connection offers, export limitation under G100, reinforcement costs and how the survey checks your supply.
GrantsAn honest overview of funding for commercial solar across the UK: tax reliefs, rates exemptions, VAT, export payments, loans and the schemes run in each nation.- Planning permissionPermitted development for commercial rooftop solar and car park canopies in England, prior approval, heritage limits, ground-mounted schemes and the other UK nations.
How a survey worksEach step from enquiry to costed proposal, what to prepare and what you receive.