Commercial solar surveys in Leeds

Key facts

Grid connection with Northern Powergrid

Leeds is served by Northern Powergrid, through its Yorkshire licence. Commercial systems above the G98 limits need G99 approval before they connect, and the operator assesses whether the local network can accept your export. Licence boundaries can vary at the edges, so confirm the operator for your postcode with the Energy Networks Association postcode tool.

The Aire Valley and the M62 corridor have seen a lot of new warehousing, and big sheds can generate far more than they use at weekends. If export headroom is limited, an export limitation scheme under G100 or a battery can let you install a larger array without waiting for reinforcement. Our page on G99 and DNO applications explains what is submitted and how long it can take.

Planning in Leeds and West Yorkshire

Leeds City Council is the planning authority for the city, which covers a large area including Leeds Bradford Airport, Thorpe Park Leeds and the Aire Valley Leeds enterprise zone. Some of the biggest logistics parks serving Leeds sit in neighbouring districts, such as Wakefield Europort near junction 31 of the M62, which falls to Wakefield Council.

In England, permitted development rights for non-domestic rooftop solar were widened in December 2023 and the previous 1 MW limit was removed. Conditions still apply to panels on flat roofs, listed buildings and conservation areas. That matters in Holbeck and the city centre: Temple Works, the former flax mill with its Egyptian-style frontage, is Grade I listed, and the surrounding area has other listed mill buildings.

Where solar fits the Leeds economy

Leeds has a large financial and professional services sector, alongside health, universities, digital, manufacturing and logistics. For commercial solar the strongest candidates are usually:

• Logistics and manufacturing in the Aire Valley, Cross Green and Stourton, where large roofs meet long operating hours. See our page on warehouses.
• Hospitals and university campuses with high, steady daytime demand.
• Offices and business parks such as Thorpe Park, where demand peaks in the working day and flat roofs are common.

Clean air and fleet charging

Leeds prepared a charging clean air zone and installed cameras, but after a joint review with government in 2020 the scheme was judged no longer necessary because vehicle fleets had become cleaner faster than expected, and it was not introduced. There is no daily charge for vehicles entering the city. Fleet electrification still matters for many Leeds businesses, and solar can supply much of the daytime charging at a depot; our EV charging for business page explains how to size the two together.

Roofs and buildings in Leeds

• Victorian mills and warehouses in Holbeck, Hunslet and along the River Aire, many converted to offices. Older timber and cast-iron structures need a structural survey before panels go on, and listed buildings need consent.
• 1960s to 1980s industrial estates such as Cross Green and Stourton, where asbestos cement roofs are common and must be surveyed first.
• Modern distribution sheds in the Aire Valley and along the M62 and M1 with profiled metal roofs, usually straightforward.
• Flat-roofed offices in the city centre, where ballasted or low-tilt systems are used. See flat roofs.

Expected generation

A well-oriented commercial array in Leeds typically produces about 830 to 930 kWh per kWp a year (indicative). The European Commission's PVGIS model gives close to 950 kWh per kWp for an ideally angled south-facing array with standard losses, and nearer 755 for a low-pitch east-west flat roof layout. Your own figure depends on orientation, pitch and shading from nearby buildings, which the survey models.

How the free survey works

Fill in the short form with the address and a rough idea of your electricity use. We review it and call you to understand the site. If it looks suitable we arrange a free survey with one MCS certified installer matched to the building, and your details go to that installer only. The survey can be in person or virtual; a virtual first look often works well for modern sheds with good drawings. There is no obligation to proceed. See our Yorkshire and the Humber page for the wider region.