Key facts
| Council area | Test Valley |
| Population | 19,920 (Romsey built-up area, usual residents, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | SSEN Distribution (Southern Electric Power Distribution licence area) |
| Main employment areas | Abbey Park Industrial Estate; Romsey Industrial Estate (Greatbridge); Budds Lane Industrial Estate |
| Indicative yield | About 1,046 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Romsey
- Abbey Park Industrial Estate: An 11.6 hectare estate off the A27 Luzborough Lane east of Romsey, developed mainly in the 1980s and 1990s, with a Basepoint business centre and units of up to about 40,000 sq ft.
- Romsey Industrial Estate (Greatbridge): An 8.4 hectare estate on the northern edge of the town, reached from the A3057, with industrial and warehouse units built from the 1960s onwards.
- Budds Lane Industrial Estate: An 8.3 hectare estate next to Romsey Industrial Estate, made up of smaller estates including Fernacre Business Park, which was built in the early 2000s.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Defence technology (Roke): Roke, part of Chemring Group, has its head office at Roke Manor near Romsey and in 2025 was building a £5 million logistics hub on the campus.
- Epoxy manufacturing (Wessex Resins and Adhesives): Wessex Resins and Adhesives, based at Cupernham Lane in Romsey, has made epoxy products since 1981, including the WEST SYSTEM range for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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
Romsey is served by SSEN Distribution (Southern Electric Power Distribution 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 Romsey
Romsey follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Test Valley 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:
- Test Valley's 2020 appraisal of the Romsey Conservation Area notes over 150 national list entries for Romsey, many in the conservation area, and says planning permission is needed there for solar panels mounted on a wall or roof facing the highway.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Romsey could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,046 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 104,600 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £17,573 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,569 earned |
| Total a year | About £19,142 |
| Simple payback | About 4.7 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 Romsey 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 Test Valley
At the end of 2025, Test Valley had 4,614 solar PV installations with 252.7 MW of capacity, up 38% since 2020, according to government figures. The Test Valley page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Salisbury, about 14 miles away
- Andover, about 15 miles away
- Lymington, about 16 miles away
- Bournemouth, about 25 miles away
Sources
- ons.gov.uk: census2021
- ons.gov.uk: datadownload.xlsx
- testvalley.gov.uk: pp1 2 160630 Employment Land Study LSH 2016
- adsgroup.org.uk: caroline nokes mp visits roke s romsey hq
- epoxycraft.com
- epoxycraft.com: contact
- solentfreeport.com
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- testvalley.gov.uk: Romsey Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan December
- 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 Romsey?
SSEN Distribution (Southern Electric Power Distribution 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 Romsey?
About 104,600 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 £19,142 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Romsey 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
- Test Valley4,614 installations, 252.7 MW of solar and about 1,044 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- South EastTwo network operators, strong south coast yields, Kent horticulture, Thames Valley offices and Solent logistics, and the clean air zones that affect fleets.
- 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.