Key facts
| Council area | South Ayrshire |
| Population | 46,182 (Ayr locality, Scotland's Census 2022) |
| Network operator | SP Energy Networks (SP Distribution, Central and Southern Scotland) |
| Main employment areas | Heathfield Industrial Estate; Prestwick International Aerospace Park |
| Indicative yield | About 903 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in Scotland |
Where businesses are in Ayr
- Heathfield Industrial Estate: Trade counter and industrial location on Callender Road, reached from the A77 at the Whitletts Roundabout. LCP's scheme there has five terraced units totalling 18,670 sq ft.
- Prestwick International Aerospace Park: Aerospace park at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which the Ayrshire Growth Deal describes as Scotland's largest established aerospace cluster.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Aircraft maintenance (Prestwick): In March 2026 Ryanair announced £40m to grow its Prestwick maintenance facility from six to 10 bays with 450 engineering roles, and in October 2026 GE Aerospace announced £30m for a new 55,000 sq ft engine overhaul building at Prestwick.
- Health and public services: University Hospital Ayr is the town's main general hospital, part of NHS Ayrshire and Arran's headquarters is in Ayr, and the Scottish Ambulance Service has its south west regional headquarters at Heathfield.
Large, simple roofs on distribution sheds and modern industrial units are usually the quickest and cheapest to fit. Older mill, factory and workshop buildings can work well too, but often need a structural survey first, and roofs from before 2000 may contain asbestos cement: see asbestos roofs.
Grid connection
Ayr is served by SP Energy Networks (SP Distribution, Central and Southern Scotland). Almost every commercial system needs G99 approval from the network operator before it is switched on, and the question is usually how much the local network can take back. Where export is limited, a G100 export limitation scheme can let a larger array connect. See G99 and DNO applications.
Planning in Ayr
Planning in Ayr is decided by South Ayrshire council under Scotland's own system. Non-domestic rooftop solar is often permitted development under the Scottish rules, but not on listed buildings, in National Scenic Areas or within 3 km of an aerodrome.
Points that come up locally:
- The Ayr Central Conservation Area covers about 63.9 hectares and 144 postcodes, so check whether a building is inside it before planning roof panels in the centre.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Ayr could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 903 kWh per kWp a year.
| Item | Illustrative figure |
|---|---|
| System | 100 kWp, south facing at 30 degrees |
| Installed cost | £900 per kWp, so £90,000 excluding VAT |
| Generation | About 90,300 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £15,170 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,355 earned |
| Total a year | About £16,525 |
| Simple payback | About 5.4 years before tax relief |
Illustrative, not a quote: the same sums as our commercial solar calculator. A company paying corporation tax can usually shorten the payback with capital allowances.
Funding and support
- Business Energy Scotland SME Loan: Interest-free loans of £1,000 to £130,000. Cashback of 75% of eligible costs, up to £20,000 for energy efficiency measures and up to £10,000 for heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal, with a maximum of £30,000 per business. Applications are processed on a rolling basis all year round, subject to loan funds. The page says the scheme is not accepting new applications for solar PV projects. Check the scheme's own page for eligibility and closing dates.
National reliefs apply too: see grants and reliefs in Scotland.
Solar across South Ayrshire
At the end of 2025, South Ayrshire had 3,368 solar PV installations with 12.1 MW of capacity, up 152% since 2020, according to government figures. The South Ayrshire page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Irvine, about 11 miles away
- Kilmarnock, about 12 miles away
- Cumnock, about 14 miles away
- Ardrossan, about 14 miles away
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: Ayr
- lcpgroup.co.uk: heathfield industrial estate
- ayrshiregrowthdeal.co.uk: u s satellite company to bring 575 jobs
- scottishfinancialreview.com: ryanair in 40m prestwick airport expansion
- geaerospace.com: ge aerospace announces ps30 million investment part ps57
- heritagecheck.co.uk: ayr central
- businessenergyscotland.org: sme loan
- Yield: PVGIS 5.3 (European Commission Joint Research Centre), SARAH3 data, 14% system losses, for the town centre, modelled 4 November 2026.
- Council area figures: DESNZ, renewable electricity by local authority 2014 to 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the electricity network operator in Ayr?
SP Energy Networks (SP Distribution, Central and Southern Scotland). Most commercial solar systems need its G99 approval before they are switched on. The operator follows the postcode, so confirm yours with the Energy Networks Association postcode tool.
How much would a 100 kWp solar system generate in Ayr?
About 90,300 kWh a year for a south-facing roof at 30 degrees, modelled with PVGIS for the town centre. At 70% used on site at 24p and the rest exported at 5p, that is worth about £16,525 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Ayr 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. It is free, with no obligation. Get a free survey.
Related pages
- South Ayrshire3,368 installations, 12.1 MW of solar and about 823 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- ScotlandSP Energy Networks and SSEN connections, NPF4 and Scottish permitted development, the four city low emission zones, the Scottish rates exemption and realistic yields.
- 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.
- ScotlandCurrent solar support in Scotland for businesses, community groups, public bodies, schools and farms, with rates, planning and official contacts.
- 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.