Key facts
| Council area | North Ayrshire |
| Population | 33,998 (Irvine locality, Scotland's Census 2022) |
| Network operator | SP Energy Networks (SP Distribution, Central and Southern Scotland) |
| Main employment areas | i3 Enterprise Area; Annickbank Innovation Campus |
| Indicative yield | About 916 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in Scotland |
Where businesses are in Irvine
- i3 Enterprise Area: Business campus described by Irvine Bay as Scotland's largest designated Enterprise Area, with 132 hectares of allocated land. In February 2026 North Ayrshire Council completed an 18,000 sq ft Ayrshire Growth Deal unit there with roof mounted solar PV, and GSK, Booth Welsh and Vogel are based on the site.
- Annickbank Innovation Campus: Council business campus within i3. In June 2026 work began on its last stage, three energy efficient industrial units of about 1,500 sqm costing £4.4 million.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Pharmaceuticals and natural remedies: North Ayrshire Council names GSK, an antibiotics manufacturer, and Vogel, a natural and herbal remedy maker, among the businesses at i3.
- Engineering and digital manufacturing: Booth Welsh, an engineering technology firm, is at i3, and the site also hosts the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre.
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
Irvine 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 Irvine
Planning in Irvine is decided by North 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 Irvine Town Centre Conservation Area covers about 27.7 hectares and 52 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 Irvine could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 916 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 91,600 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £15,389 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,374 earned |
| Total a year | About £16,763 |
| 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 North Ayrshire
At the end of 2025, North Ayrshire had 7,492 solar PV installations with 44.1 MW of capacity, up 263% since 2020, according to government figures. The North Ayrshire page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Ardrossan, about 6 miles away
- Kilmarnock, about 7 miles away
- Ayr, about 11 miles away
- Paisley, about 19 miles away
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: Irvine, North Ayrshire
- citypopulation.de: S52000336 irvine
- north-ayrshire.gov.uk: growth deal project complete at irvine business park
- irvinebay.co.uk: i3 irvines enterprise area
- projectscot.com: build of 4 4m industrial accommodation underway in
- projectscot.com: construction of new business pavilion complete at annickbank
- heritagecheck.co.uk: irvine town centre
- 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 Irvine?
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 Irvine?
About 91,600 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 £16,763 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Irvine 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 Ayrshire7,492 installations, 44.1 MW of solar and about 911 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.