Key facts
| Council area | East Lindsey |
| Population | 17,420 (Louth built-up area, usual residents, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire licence area) |
| Main employment areas | Fairfield Industrial Estate; Northfields Park, Grimsby Road |
| Indicative yield | About 1,017 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Louth
- Fairfield Industrial Estate: Louth's main industrial area, to the north of the town, described in 2017 as a mix of manufacturers, motor dealers, agricultural suppliers and construction firms. East Lindsey District Council later set out plans and was investing in preparatory works to expand it to over 120 hectares of serviced employment land for light industrial, general industrial and storage uses.
- Northfields Park, Grimsby Road: A proposed scheme of 11 new industrial and trade counter units from about 7,500 to 37,500 sq ft on Grimsby Road, in an established industrial area with access to the A16. The units are marketed as PV ready.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Visitor economy (Lincolnshire Wolds): East Lindsey District Council reports that the Lincolnshire Wolds area around Louth drew 3.62 million visitors in 2025 and generated £281.96 million, up 7.8% on the year before.
- Market town trade and farming: About 70% of Louth's businesses are independently owned, and a cattle market is held every Thursday at the Louth Livestock Centre on Newmarket.
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
Louth is served by Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire licence area). 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 Louth
Louth follows the national planning rules for England, decided by East Lindsey 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:
- The Louth Conservation Area covers about 107.6 hectares and holds 194 listed buildings, including the Grade I Parish Church of St James, so roofs across the historic centre need more care.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Louth could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,017 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 101,700 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £17,086 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,526 earned |
| Total a year | About £18,611 |
| 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 Louth 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 East Lindsey
At the end of 2025, East Lindsey had 8,026 solar PV installations with 177.9 MW of capacity, up 105% since 2020, according to government figures. The East Lindsey page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Grimsby, about 14 miles away
- Skegness, about 21 miles away
- Boston, about 27 miles away
- Scunthorpe, about 30 miles away
Sources
- ons.gov.uk: census2021
- ons.gov.uk: datadownload.xlsx
- greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk: MIPIM Promotion GLLEP Future Aspirations
- lincolnshirelife.co.uk: vital hub for the business community
- pph-commercial.co.uk: northfields park grimsby road louth lincolnshire ln11 18938
- e-lindsey.gov.uk: East Lindsey tourism delivers record 994m economic impact
- en.wikipedia.org: Louth, Lincolnshire
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- gov.uk: investment zones in england
- gov.uk: maps of humber freeport tax sites
- heritagecheck.co.uk: louth
- 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 Louth?
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire licence area). 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 Louth?
About 101,700 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 £18,611 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Louth 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
- East Lindsey8,026 installations, 177.9 MW of solar and about 1,028 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.