Key facts
| Council area | Cherwell |
| Population | 37,755 (Bicester built-up area, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | SSEN Distribution (Southern Electric Power Distribution) |
| Main employment areas | Symmetry Park Bicester; Bicester Motion |
| Indicative yield | About 1,013 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Bicester
- Symmetry Park Bicester: Tritax Symmetry's 963,000 sq ft logistics scheme. DP World's syncreon took its final speculatively built unit, 271,227 sq ft, on a 15 year lease in April 2023, with a further 16 acres held for a third phase.
- Bicester Motion: The 444 acre former RAF Bicester bomber training station, bought in 2013 and now home to a cluster of historic vehicle specialists in the old Technical Site and eight newer headquarters buildings at The Command Works. Mercedes-Benz subsidiary YASA is moving its headquarters there in 2026.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Logistics: Symmetry Park Bicester totals 963,000 sq ft of logistics space, with syncreon taking a 271,227 sq ft unit in 2023.
- Motorsport and mobility (Bicester Motion): The Command Works at Bicester Motion houses the UK motor sport governing body, a synthetic fuel manufacturer and an international rally operator, and YASA is moving its headquarters to the site in 2026.
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
Bicester is served by SSEN Distribution (Southern Electric Power Distribution). 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 Bicester
Bicester follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Cherwell council. Rooftop solar on most non-domestic buildings is permitted development, within height and edge limits, and systems above 50 kW need a prior approval application covering design and glare.
Points that come up locally:
- Cherwell has 60 conservation areas, covering the market town of Bicester and the former RAF Bicester airbase, now Bicester Motion, where about 99% of the old RAF buildings have been restored or reused for business.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Bicester could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,013 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 101,300 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £17,018 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,520 earned |
| Total a year | About £18,538 |
| Simple payback | About 4.9 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
We found no council or regional grant for business solar open in Bicester at the time of writing (November 2026). National reliefs still apply, such as capital allowances and, in England, the business rates exemption for onsite renewables: see grants and reliefs in England.
Solar across Cherwell
At the end of 2025, Cherwell had 5,886 solar PV installations with 140.6 MW of capacity, up 31% since 2020, according to government figures. The Cherwell page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Banbury, about 14 miles away
- Aylesbury, about 16 miles away
- Witney, about 16 miles away
- Didcot, about 20 miles away
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: List of ONS built up areas in England
- logistik-express.com
- bicestermotion.com: about
- cherwell.gov.uk: what is a conservation area
- 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 Bicester?
SSEN Distribution (Southern Electric Power Distribution). 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 Bicester?
About 101,300 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 £18,538 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Bicester 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
- Cherwell5,886 installations, 140.6 MW of solar and about 1,018 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- South EastTwo network operators, strong south coast yields, Kent horticulture, Thames Valley offices and Solent logistics, and the clean air zones that affect fleets.
- 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.
- EnglandCurrent solar support in England for businesses, schools, public bodies, community groups and farms, plus rates, planning and who to contact.
- 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.