Commercial solar surveys in Aberdeen

Key facts

Grid connection with SSEN

Aberdeen is in the north of Scotland licence area run by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), not SP Energy Networks, which serves Glasgow and Edinburgh. Commercial systems above the G98 limits need G99 approval from SSEN before they connect. Boundaries can vary at the edges of licence areas, so confirm your operator with the Energy Networks Association postcode tool.

The north of Scotland has a great deal of renewable generation already connected, so local export capacity is worth checking early. Sizing the array to your daytime demand, adding a battery or using a G100 export limitation scheme are common ways to keep the connection simple. See our page on G99 and DNO applications.

Planning in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen City Council covers the city, including Dyce and Kirkhill near Aberdeen Airport, Bridge of Don, and the Altens and East Tullos industrial estates in the south. Westhill, a centre for subsea engineering, is in Aberdeenshire, as are the towns along the main routes north and south.

The council's Energy Transition Zone masterplan covers about 250 hectares in the south of the city, including Altens and East Tullos and land beside the new South Harbour at Nigg Bay, aimed at offshore wind and other energy transition businesses.

Scotland has its own planning system. Its permitted development rights for rooftop solar were widened in 2024, removing the previous 50 kW limit for non-domestic buildings, with listed buildings and World Heritage Sites excluded and conditions for flat roofs and conservation areas. Union Street and Old Aberdeen are among the city's conservation areas. Check current conditions with the council before relying on them.

The local economy and solar

Aberdeen's economy is built around oil and gas, subsea engineering and a growing energy transition sector, alongside food and drink, seafood processing, the port, universities and health. Engineering workshops, testing facilities, warehouses and cold stores with daytime demand tend to suit solar well. For energy sector businesses, on-site generation can also support carbon reporting; see our carbon reporting guide.

The Low Emission Zone and vehicle charging

Aberdeen's Low Emission Zone covers part of the city centre, with penalties for non-compliant vehicles from June 2024. It applies to most vehicles, including private cars. At the time of writing the initial penalty is £60, doubling for repeat contraventions up to £480 for cars and vans and £960 for buses, coaches and HGVs; check the council's LEZ pages for the boundary and exemptions.

Most industrial estates sit outside the zone, but service fleets heading into the centre may still need compliant vehicles. Electric vans charged from a depot roof can be a practical answer; see EV charging for business.

Roofs and buildings in Aberdeen

• Granite buildings in the city centre and Old Aberdeen, many listed or in conservation areas, with slate roofs and limited space for panels.
• 1970s and 1980s industrial units and offices built during the North Sea boom at Dyce, Altens, Tullos and Bridge of Don. Some have asbestos cement roofs, and older metal roofs from that era may be nearing the end of their coating life, so roof condition is often the first question.
• Newer energy sector buildings at Westhill and in the Energy Transition Zone, with modern profiled roofs.

Exposure to strong coastal winds means fixings, edge zones and ballast need proper design.

Expected generation

Aberdeen is the most northerly city on this site, but the north east coast is relatively dry and summer days are long. A well-oriented array typically produces about 800 to 880 kWh per kWp a year (indicative), with a bigger gap between summer and winter output than further south. The European Commission's PVGIS model gives close to 900 kWh per kWp for an ideally angled south-facing array with standard losses, and nearer 700 for a low-pitch east-west layout.

How the free survey works

Tell us about the site using the short form. We review it and call you to understand the building and your energy use. If it looks suitable we arrange a free survey with one MCS certified installer matched to the site, and your details go to that installer only. For sites further out in Aberdeenshire a virtual first survey can save time. There is no obligation. See our Scotland page for the wider picture.