Key facts
| Council area | Tamworth |
| Population | 76,090 (Tamworth built-up area, usual residents, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands licence area) |
| Main employment areas | Centurion Park; Amington Industrial Estate |
| Indicative yield | About 976 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Tamworth
- Centurion Park: A warehouse and distribution park on the edge of Tamworth next to junction 10 of the M42. North Warwickshire Borough Council gave St. Modwen permission in 2015 for two further units there, of 52,500 and 153,000 sq ft, and in 2016 DFS took 53,000 sq ft.
- Amington Industrial Estate: An industrial estate on Sandy Way where Tungsten Properties gained consent in 2021 from Tamworth Council for Tungsten Park Tamworth, four industrial and warehouse units of 9,000 to 54,500 sq ft.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Leisure and tourism: Drayton Manor Resort, near Tamworth and about 3 miles from Tamworth railway station, has over 50 rides and attractions, Thomas Land, a 15 acre zoo with over 500 animals and a four star hotel. SnowDome, a real snow centre, is at Leisure Island on River Drive in the town.
- Warehousing and distribution: In 2016 St. Modwen described Centurion Park, next to junction 10 of the M42, as one of the most sought after locations for warehouse and distribution operators in the Midlands, when it started a 153,000 sq ft warehouse that could create up to 200 jobs.
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
Tamworth is served by National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands 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 Tamworth
Tamworth follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Tamworth 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:
- Tamworth Town Centre Conservation Area, designated in 1976, covers about 35.7 hectares and holds 90 listed buildings, including the Grade I Tamworth Castle and Church of St Editha, so roofs in the town centre need more care.
Our guides on listed buildings and conservation areas explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Tamworth could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 976 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 97,600 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £16,397 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,464 earned |
| Total a year | About £17,861 |
| Simple payback | About 5.0 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 Tamworth 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 Tamworth
At the end of 2025, Tamworth had 1,397 solar PV installations with 7.2 MW of capacity, up 54% since 2020, according to government figures. The Tamworth page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Burton upon Trent, about 12 miles away
- Ashby-de-la-Zouch, about 12 miles away
- Nuneaton, about 12 miles away
- Cannock, about 15 miles away
Sources
- ons.gov.uk: census2021
- ons.gov.uk: datadownload.xlsx
- en.wikipedia.org: Tamworth, Staffordshire
- commercialnewsmedia.com
- commercialnewsmedia.com
- commercialnewsmedia.com
- logisticsmanager.com: go ahead for 200000 sq ft at tamworth
- logisticsmanager.com: planning granted for mid box scheme in tamworth
- draytonmanor.co.uk: about us
- draytonmanor.co.uk: find us
- snowdome.co.uk
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- gov.uk: maps of west midlands investment zone tax sites
- gov.uk: maps of east midlands investment zone tax sites
- gov.uk: maps of east midlands freeport tax sites
- gov.uk: investment zones in england
- heritagecheck.co.uk: tamworth town centre
- 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 Tamworth?
National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands 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 Tamworth?
About 97,600 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 £17,861 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Tamworth 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
- Tamworth1,397 installations, 7.2 MW of solar and about 975 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- West MidlandsNGED connections, the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, automotive and metals manufacturing, M6 and M42 logistics, and fruit and hop farming in the west.
- 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.