Commercial solar surveys in Yorkshire and the Humber

Key facts for commercial solar in Yorkshire and the Humber

The network in Yorkshire and the Humber

Northern Powergrid runs the distribution network across the region. Its Yorkshire licence area covers South and West Yorkshire, the East Riding, Hull and northern Lincolnshire, while parts of North Yorkshire fall in its Northeast licence area. Some sites near the Pennine edge and the southern boundary may be in a neighbouring operator's area, because licence boundaries do not follow county lines. Check with the Energy Networks Association postcode tool.

Commercial systems above G98 limits need G99 approval before they connect. The Humber has a concentration of large generation and industrial demand, and grid capacity in parts of the region can be tight. Where full export is not available, an export limitation scheme under G100 lets a larger array connect, and a battery can capture midday surplus. Our G99 and DNO applications guide explains the steps.

Yield across the region

Yields vary more within Yorkshire than in most regions. In our PVGIS model (version 5.2, SARAH2 data, 14% system losses), a south-facing 1 kWp array at the optimum tilt in Leeds gives about 950 kWh a year, and an east-west layout at 10 degrees about 780 kWh. Near Hull, on the drier east side, the south-facing figure rises to about 1,000 kWh. Pennine valley sites can lose generation to hills and to morning mist, so the survey's shading analysis matters here.

Planning and clean air zones

Planning follows the national rules for England, including the December 2023 widening of permitted development for non-domestic rooftop solar. The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, part of the Peak District, and National Landscapes such as Nidderdale and the Howardian Hills have tighter conditions. Saltaire is a World Heritage Site. See our planning permission guide.

Two charging clean air zones operate:

• Sheffield runs a Class C zone covering the inner ring road and city centre. It charges non-compliant buses, coaches, taxis, HGVs, vans and minibuses, but not private cars.
• Bradford also runs a Class C zone covering the same vehicle types, over a wider area of the city.

Leeds decided not to introduce a charging zone. For businesses running vans into Sheffield or Bradford, the zones are a reason to consider electric vehicles, and depot charging can raise the share of solar used on site. See EV charging for business.

Buildings and economy that suit solar

• Humber ports and industry. Immingham, Grimsby, Hull and Goole make the Humber one of the UK's busiest port areas, with process industry and energy sites along the estuary and the Humber Freeport. Large, continuous loads use almost all generation on site.
• Steel and advanced manufacturing. Sheffield and Rotherham have a long steel and engineering history, and the Advanced Manufacturing Park near Rotherham hosts modern research and production buildings. See our factories page.
• West Yorkshire manufacturing. Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield have textiles, printing, engineering and food manufacturing, often in older mill buildings that need a structural check.
• Logistics. The M62, M1 and A1(M) corridors carry major distribution parks, including around Wakefield, Doncaster and Normanton. Most are modern buildings with profiled metal roofs, which are usually straightforward to fix to, though spare roof load capacity still needs confirming. See our warehouses page.
• Farming and food. The East Riding has large arable farms, and North Yorkshire has livestock, dairy and food processing, with grain stores and cold stores that suit solar.

Support and finance

Businesses in the region use the national schemes for England: capital allowances, the business rates exemption for eligible onsite generation and storage plant to 31 March 2035, and the Smart Export Guarantee. See grants and support in England and confirm tax treatment with your accountant.

Cities with their own page

• Leeds: West Yorkshire's commercial centre, its offices and nearby industrial estates.
• Sheffield: the Clean Air Zone, steel and advanced manufacturing.

How the free survey works in Yorkshire and the Humber

Send the short form and we will call to discuss the site and your use. If it looks suitable, we arrange a free survey, in person or virtual, with one MCS certified installer matched to the site. In valley locations the installer should model horizon shading from surrounding hills as well as nearby buildings. For older stone mill buildings in West Yorkshire, expect a structural survey before the design is finalised. Your details go to that installer only, and there is no obligation to proceed.