Key facts
| Council area | North West Leicestershire |
| Population | 21,980 (Coalville built-up area, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) |
| Main employment areas | Bardon Hill; Whitwick Business Park |
| Indicative yield | About 973 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Coalville
- Bardon Hill: Harworth's 54 acre industrial and logistics development less than two miles from junction 22 of the M1, with 332,000 sq ft in five units. Existing occupiers nearby include Amazon, Eddie Stobart and DHL.
- Whitwick Business Park: Business park on the former Whitwick Colliery site, which includes a Morrisons supermarket.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Building materials (Holcim UK): Holcim UK, formerly Aggregate Industries, has its headquarters at Bardon Hill, operates over 200 sites and employs about 4,000 people across the UK.
- Logistics and warehousing: Bardon Hill near junction 22 of the M1 is home to Amazon, Eddie Stobart and DHL, with further units built for Zwilling, Charles Kendall Freight and Euro Pool System.
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
Coalville is served by National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands). 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 Coalville
Coalville follows the national planning rules for England, decided by North West Leicestershire 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:
- In June 2014 the district council's cabinet approved designating a conservation area covering Coalville town centre, with a management plan and boundary put out to consultation.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Coalville could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 973 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 97,300 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £16,346 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,460 earned |
| Total a year | About £17,806 |
| Simple payback | About 5.1 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 Coalville 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 North West Leicestershire
At the end of 2025, North West Leicestershire had 3,785 solar PV installations with 73.2 MW of capacity, up 26% since 2020, according to government figures. The North West Leicestershire page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Ashby-de-la-Zouch, about 4 miles away
- Loughborough, about 7 miles away
- Hinckley, about 12 miles away
- Burton upon Trent, about 13 miles away
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: List of ONS built up areas in England
- harworthgroup.com: bardon hill
- en.wikipedia.org: Coalville
- en.wikipedia.org: Holcim UK
- gov.uk: maps of east midlands freeport tax sites
- minutes-1.nwleics.gov.uk: ieDecisionDetails
- 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 Coalville?
National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands). 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 Coalville?
About 97,300 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 £17,806 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Coalville 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
- North West Leicestershire3,785 installations, 73.2 MW of solar and about 974 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- East MidlandsNGED connections, Golden Triangle logistics, Lincolnshire farming and food processing, Derby manufacturing and the Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy.
- 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.