Key facts
| Council area | Stroud |
| Population | 26,080 (Stroud built-up area, usual residents, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | National Grid Electricity Distribution (West Midlands) |
| Main employment areas | Bath Road Industrial Estate, Rodborough; Fromeside Industrial Estate; Salmon Springs Industrial Estate |
| Indicative yield | About 999 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Stroud
- Bath Road Industrial Estate, Rodborough: Employment area of about 6.4 hectares with a listed mill complex, terraced industrial units and accommodation for a major occupier, with an Aldi foodstore on the main road frontage, according to Stroud District Council's 2021 Employment Land Review.
- Fromeside Industrial Estate: Small estate of about 1.4 hectares of terraced industrial units on Dr Newton's Way, centrally located in Stroud next to the canal; the council's 2021 review found all its land and premises in use.
- Salmon Springs Industrial Estate: Edge of town estate of about 2.1 hectares on Painswick Road made up of several mill properties, which the council's 2021 review said could be refurbished and subdivided further.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Sports textiles (WSP Textiles): WSP Textiles has its headquarters at Lodgemore Mills, Stroud, which the Strachan family bought in 1865 and which is still operational, making coverings for tennis balls and snooker and pool tables. In March 2026 more than 50 workers at its Stroud and Cam sites accepted a two year pay deal.
- Manufacturing: Stroud District Council's 2021 Employment Land Review found manufacturing employed 9,500 people in the district in 2018, 18.3% of all jobs, with strengths in electronic and optical products, machinery, fabricated metal products and food production.
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
Stroud is served by National Grid Electricity Distribution (West 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 Stroud
Stroud follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Stroud 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:
- Many of Stroud's valley mills lie in the Industrial Heritage Conservation Area or its neighbouring conservation areas, such as Lodgemore and Fromehall, Ebley Mills and Stroud Station, which the council's 2008 management proposals cover, including guidance on re-using historic mill buildings, so check before planning panels on a mill roof.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Stroud could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 999 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 99,900 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £16,783 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,499 earned |
| Total a year | About £18,282 |
| 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 Stroud 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 Stroud
At the end of 2025, Stroud had 5,658 solar PV installations with 73.1 MW of capacity, up 27% since 2020, according to government figures. The Stroud page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Cirencester, about 11 miles away
- Chippenham, about 20 miles away
- Swindon, about 22 miles away
- Malvern, about 25 miles away
Sources
- ons.gov.uk: census2021
- ons.gov.uk: datadownload.xlsx
- stroud.gov.uk: stroud district employment land review 2021
- wsptextiles.com
- stroudtimes.com
- stroud.gov.uk: the ihca management proposals executive summary
- 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 Stroud?
National Grid Electricity Distribution (West 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 Stroud?
About 99,900 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 £18,282 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Stroud 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
- Stroud5,658 installations, 73.1 MW of solar and about 994 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- South WestThe strongest yields in mainland Britain, a network with limited export capacity in places, Bristol and Bath clean air zones, dairy farming and Severnside logistics.
- 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.