Key facts
| Council area | Tonbridge and Malling |
| Population | 36,125 (Tonbridge built-up area, usual residents, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | UK Power Networks (South Eastern Power Networks licence area) |
| Main employment areas | Deacon Trading Estate; Tonbridge Trade Park (Vale Road) |
| Indicative yield | About 1,053 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Tonbridge
- Deacon Trading Estate: Indurent's estate on Morley Road on the eastern side of Tonbridge, fronting the A26 Vale Road in a mainly industrial area about a mile from the town centre, with Vale Road leading to the A21 and junction 5 of the M25.
- Tonbridge Trade Park (Vale Road): Chancerygate and Hines won planning in 2020 for a 15 unit, 100,000 sq ft industrial and trade counter scheme on a 4.11 acre site on Vale Road, which they called the town's first new industrial scheme in over 20 years.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Financial services (Charity Bank): Charity Bank, which lends savers' deposits to UK charities and social enterprises and has made over 1,480 loans worth over £653 million, has its registered office at Fosse House on Tonbridge High Street.
- Light engineering, printing and distribution: The town's major industries include light engineering, printing and publishing, distribution and financial services, and Royal Mail's sorting office for the TN postcode area is on Vale Road.
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
Tonbridge is served by UK Power Networks (South Eastern Power Networks 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 Tonbridge
Tonbridge follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Tonbridge and Malling 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:
- The Tonbridge Conservation Area, designated in 1969, covers about 68.7 hectares and holds 88 listed buildings including the Grade I Tonbridge Castle, so roofs in the historic 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 Tonbridge could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,053 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 105,300 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £17,690 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,580 earned |
| Total a year | About £19,270 |
| 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 Tonbridge 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 Tonbridge and Malling
At the end of 2025, Tonbridge and Malling had 3,652 solar PV installations with 30.3 MW of capacity, up 80% since 2020, according to government figures. The Tonbridge and Malling page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Maidstone, about 12 miles away
- Crawley, about 21 miles away
- Sittingbourne, about 22 miles away
- Hailsham, about 23 miles away
Sources
- ons.gov.uk: census2021
- ons.gov.uk: datadownload.xlsx
- indurent.com
- indurent.com: industrial units to rent tonbridge
- logisticsmanager.com: mid box scheme for kent
- charitybank.org
- en.wikipedia.org: Tonbridge
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- gov.uk: freeports
- gov.uk: maps of freeports and freeport tax sites
- gov.uk: investment zones in england
- heritagecheck.co.uk: tonbridge
- 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 Tonbridge?
UK Power Networks (South Eastern Power Networks 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 Tonbridge?
About 105,300 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 £19,270 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Tonbridge 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
- Tonbridge and Malling3,652 installations, 30.3 MW of solar and about 1,054 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.