Key facts
| Council area | Perth and Kinross |
| Population | 47,893 (Perth locality, Census 2022) |
| Network operator | SSEN Distribution (Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, North of Scotland) |
| Main employment areas | Inveralmond Industrial Estate; North Muirton Industrial Estate (Arran Road); Northfield Business Park (Islay Place); Broxden |
| Indicative yield | About 898 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in Scotland |
Where businesses are in Perth
- Inveralmond Industrial Estate: Well-established trading and industrial estate on the north side of the city by the A9 Inveralmond roundabout. Serviced plots were being marketed in 2026.
- North Muirton Industrial Estate (Arran Road): Industrial estate about 2 miles north of the city centre, just off the A9 Inveralmond roundabout. It includes Acorn Trade Park.
- Northfield Business Park (Islay Place): Serviced plots with consent for Class 4, 5 and 6 uses, including food and drink, marketed by Perth and Kinross Council in June 2026.
- Broxden: Council-owned business land beside the A9 and M90 at Broxden, allocated in the Local Development Plan for employment and mixed use.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Energy: SSE plc headquarters: SSE's registered office is Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth.
- Insurance: Aviva at Pitheavlis: Aviva's Perth office at Pitheavlis, one of the city's largest office employers. It was still recruiting in 2026.
- Food and drink: The council says about 7,000 people work in food and drink across Perth and Kinross.
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
Perth is served by SSEN Distribution (Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, North of 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 Perth
Planning in Perth is decided by Perth and Kinross 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 city centre is the Perth Central Conservation Area, designated in 2008. The council published a draft appraisal and management plan for consultation in 2026.
- Perth Airport, a general aviation aerodrome at Scone, is about 3 miles north-east of the city.
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 Perth could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 898 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 89,800 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £15,086 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,347 earned |
| Total a year | About £16,433 |
| Simple payback | About 5.5 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 for energy efficiency, with cashback of up to £30,000. Applications are taken on a rolling basis while funds last. Not currently accepting solar PV applications. Check the scheme's own page for eligibility and closing dates.
National reliefs apply too: see grants and reliefs in Scotland.
Solar across Perth and Kinross
At the end of 2025, Perth and Kinross had 9,130 solar PV installations with 52.7 MW of capacity, up 90% since 2020, according to government figures. The Perth and Kinross page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Grangemouth, about 28 miles away
- Livingston, about 35 miles away
- East Kilbride, about 52 miles away
Sources
- citypopulation.de: S52000510 perth
- investinperth.co.uk: Northfield Brochure June 2026
- pkc.gov.uk: Mixed Use Sites SG
- thecourier.co.uk: pic update multi million pound perth industrial expansion
- find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk: SC117119
- tarve.co.uk: loss adjuster perth dundee region aviva 49316f6f
- petewishartmp.com: avivas commitment to perth as core location welcomed
- consult.pkc.gov.uk: perthkinnoull conservation area appraisal
- en.wikipedia.org: Perth Airport (Scotland)
- businessenergyscotland.org: sme loan
- en.wikipedia.org: Perth, Scotland
- 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 Perth?
SSEN Distribution (Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, North of 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 Perth?
About 89,800 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 £16,433 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Perth 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
- Perth and Kinross9,130 installations, 52.7 MW of solar and about 820 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.