Key facts
| Council area | West Northamptonshire |
| Population | 243,520 (Northampton built-up area, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) |
| Main employment areas | Brackmills Industrial Estate; Moulton Park; Swan Valley |
| Indicative yield | About 1,011 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Northampton
- Brackmills Industrial Estate: Around 730 acres beside junction 15 of the M1, with more than 180 logistics, manufacturing and service businesses and about 11,500 jobs. A Business Improvement District since 2009, renewed in 2024.
- Moulton Park: Large industrial estate about four miles north of the town centre, linked to the M1 by the A43 and A508. Includes the 14 acre Moulton Park Business Centre on Redhouse Road.
- Swan Valley: Distribution park on the south west edge of Northampton by junction 15A of the M1. Occupiers have included Morrisons, Pets at Home, Royal Mail and Levi Strauss.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Logistics and distribution: Brackmills calls itself one of the UK's key logistics centres, and Swan Valley holds large distribution centres.
- Brewing (Carlsberg Britvic): Carlsberg Britvic runs the brewery on Bridge Street, brewing there since 1974, with around 230 staff.
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
Northampton 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 Northampton
Northampton follows the national planning rules for England, decided by West Northamptonshire 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 All Saints Conservation Area covers the town centre's main retail core. It was designated in 1976 and its boundary has not changed since.
- The Boot and Shoe Quarter Conservation Area, designated in 2011, lies to the north and east of the centre and contains many former factory buildings.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Northampton could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,011 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 101,100 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £16,985 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,517 earned |
| Total a year | About £18,501 |
| 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 Northampton 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 West Northamptonshire
At the end of 2025, West Northamptonshire had 13,085 solar PV installations with 223.9 MW of capacity, up 60% since 2020, according to government figures. The West Northamptonshire page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Kettering, about 14 miles away
- Corby, about 19 miles away
- Banbury, about 22 miles away
- Aylesbury, about 29 miles away
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: Northampton
- en.wikipedia.org: List of ONS built up areas in England
- brackmillsindustrialestate.co.uk: our estate
- mcrproperty.com: moulton park business centre
- news.fmbusinessdaily.com: avison young completes letting of major northampton logistics
- carlsbergbritvic.co.uk: painting the town green carlsberg marston s brewing
- westnorthants.gov.uk: regeneration plans and strategies
- her.northamptonshire.gov.uk: DNN12349
- her.northamptonshire.gov.uk: DNN12656
- westnorthants.gov.uk: sustainability your business
- 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 Northampton?
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 Northampton?
About 101,100 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 £18,501 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Northampton 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
- West Northamptonshire13,085 installations, 223.9 MW of solar and about 1,014 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.