Key facts
| Council area | Renfrewshire |
| Population | 79,369 (Paisley locality, Scotland's Census 2022) |
| Network operator | SP Energy Networks (SP Distribution, Central and Southern Scotland) |
| Main employment areas | Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS); Glasgow Airport Business Park |
| Enterprise or investment zone | Glasgow City Region Investment Zone (AMIDS and Glasgow Airport tax sites) |
| Indicative yield | About 855 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in Scotland |
Where businesses are in Paisley
- Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS): A 52 hectare site at Netherton beside Glasgow Airport, home to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. Established manufacturers nearby include Boeing, Rolls Royce and Doosan Babcock.
- Glasgow Airport Business Park: Mixed industrial, office and hotel park on Marchburn Drive beside junction 28 of the M8 and Glasgow Airport, about 7 miles west of Glasgow city centre.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Advanced manufacturing at AMIDS: The district hosts NMIS, a £65 million facility with a Manufacturing Skills Academy, and a £9 million Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, with Boeing, Rolls Royce, Doosan Babcock, Peak Scientific and Terumo Aortic among established manufacturers.
- Aviation (Glasgow Airport): Glasgow Airport sits on the northern edge of Paisley, and Loganair's registered office is there.
- Higher education and health: Paisley has the largest campus of the University of the West of Scotland, a West College Scotland campus and the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
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
- Glasgow City Region Investment Zone (AMIDS and Glasgow Airport tax sites): Designated with effect from 26 February 2026. Over 112 hectares at AMIDS, Glasgow Airport, Abbotsinch, Airside North and Campsie Drive, with reliefs on LBTT, non-domestic rates, capital allowances and employer National Insurance for eligible new businesses.
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
Paisley 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 Paisley
Planning in Paisley is decided by Renfrewshire 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 Paisley Town Centre Conservation Area covers the centre, and the council leader has said the town centre has Scotland's second-highest concentration of listed buildings.
- Glasgow Airport is on the northern edge of the town, so roofs near the airport and AMIDS may need a glint and glare check.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas, airports, glint and glare explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Paisley could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 855 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 85,500 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £14,364 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,283 earned |
| Total a year | About £15,646 |
| Simple payback | About 5.8 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
- 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 Renfrewshire
At the end of 2025, Renfrewshire had 6,733 solar PV installations with 18.6 MW of capacity, up 187% since 2020, according to government figures. The Renfrewshire page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Dumbarton, about 9 miles away
- East Kilbride, about 12 miles away
- Kirkintilloch, about 12 miles away
- Greenock, about 15 miles away
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: Paisley, Renfrewshire
- en.wikipedia.org: List of towns and cities in Scotland by
- scottish-enterprise.com: what is the advanced manufacturing innovation district scotland
- indurent.com
- renfrewshire.gov.uk: renfrewshire poised benefit ps160million investment zone
- renfrewshire.gov.uk: tax incentives now available new businesses locating amids
- gov.uk: maps of glasgow city region investment zone tax
- scottishconstructionnow.com: historic paisley buildings being restored to former glory
- 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 Paisley?
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 Paisley?
About 85,500 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 £15,646 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Paisley 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
- Renfrewshire6,733 installations, 18.6 MW of solar and about 854 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.