Key facts
| Council area | Dacorum |
| Population | 95,961 (Census 2021 population of the Hemel Hempstead built-up area (ONS 2022 built-up area boundaries)) |
| Network operator | UK Power Networks (Eastern Power Networks) |
| Main employment areas | Maylands Business Park; Breakspear Park |
| Enterprise or investment zone | Herts IQ (Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter) enterprise zone, with sites in Maylands Business Park |
| Indicative yield | About 1,015 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Hemel Hempstead
- Maylands Business Park: Largest employment area in Hertfordshire, with more than 650 businesses and about 20,000 employees.
- Breakspear Park: Office park on Breakspear Way, home to Britvic's registered office.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Soft drinks: Britvic's registered office is at Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead.
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.
Enterprise, investment and freeport zones
- Herts IQ (Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter) enterprise zone, with sites in Maylands Business Park
These zones can bring business rates relief or enhanced capital allowances for eligible firms on qualifying sites; check the current terms with the zone before relying on them.
Grid connection
Hemel Hempstead is served by UK Power Networks (Eastern Power Networks). 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 Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Dacorum 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:
- Green belt (Dacorum) lies within about 2 km of the town centre.
- The Chilterns National Landscape lies within about 3 km of the town centre.
Our guides on green belt, national parks and National Landscapes explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Hemel Hempstead could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,015 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 101,500 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £17,052 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,523 earned |
| Total a year | About £18,575 |
| Simple payback | About 4.8 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 Hemel Hempstead 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 Dacorum
At the end of 2025, Dacorum had 3,549 solar PV installations with 29.7 MW of capacity, up 63% since 2020, according to government figures. The Dacorum page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- High Wycombe, about 14 miles away
- Aylesbury, about 15 miles away
- Northampton, about 37 miles away
- Banbury, about 42 miles away
Sources
- citypopulation.de: eastofengland
- dacorum.gov.uk: maylands regeneration
- britvic.com: contact us
- hertfordshirefutures.co.uk: herts iq
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- en.wikipedia.org: Distribution network operator
- planning.data.gov.uk
- planning.data.gov.uk
- dacorum.gov.uk: dacorum action zero
- 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 Hemel Hempstead?
UK Power Networks (Eastern Power Networks). 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 Hemel Hempstead?
About 101,500 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 £18,575 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Hemel Hempstead 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
- Dacorum3,549 installations, 29.7 MW of solar and about 1,010 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- East of EnglandUK Power Networks connections, strong yields, the Felixstowe and A14 logistics corridor, arable farming and food processing across Norfolk, Suffolk and the Fens.
- 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.