Key facts
| Council area | Sunderland |
| Population | 51,312 (Census 2021 population of the Washington built-up area (ONS 2022 built-up area boundaries)) |
| Network operator | Northern Powergrid (Northeast) |
| Main employment areas | International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP); Hillthorn Business Park; Pattinson South Industrial Estate; Crowther Industrial Estate |
| Enterprise or investment zone | North East Investment Zone: International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site (IAMSS), a tax site covering IAMP and Hillthorn |
| Enterprise or investment zone | North East Enterprise Zone (IAMP) |
| Indicative yield | About 959 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Washington, Tyne and Wear
- International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP): Manufacturing park beside the Nissan car plant just off the A19, with enterprise zone designation; phase one 125 acres, phase two 245 acres.
- Hillthorn Business Park: Industrial park off the A1290 next to Nissan, with over 350,000 sq ft in seven units built in 2023 and a second phase planned.
- Pattinson South Industrial Estate: 42 light industrial units between the A1(M) and A19.
- Crowther Industrial Estate: Light industrial units on Phoenix Road in the north west of the town, beside the A1231.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Car manufacturing: Nissan's car plant, the largest private sector employer in the City of Sunderland, sits beside IAMP on the edge of Washington.
- Automotive supply: Marelli UK makes exhaust systems at a Washington plant at Bentall Business Park.
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.
Enterprise, investment and freeport zones
- North East Investment Zone: International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site (IAMSS), a tax site covering IAMP and Hillthorn
- North East Enterprise Zone (IAMP)
These zones can bring business rates relief or enhanced capital allowances for eligible firms on qualifying sites; check the current terms with the zone before relying on them.
Grid connection
Washington, Tyne and Wear is served by Northern Powergrid (Northeast). 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 Washington, Tyne and Wear
Washington, Tyne and Wear follows the national planning rules for England, decided by Sunderland 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:
- Green belt (Sunderland and Gateshead) lies within about 2 km of the town centre.
Our guides on green belt explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Washington, Tyne and Wear could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 959 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 95,900 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £16,111 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,439 earned |
| Total a year | About £17,550 |
| Simple payback | About 5.1 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 Washington, Tyne and Wear 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 Sunderland
At the end of 2025, Sunderland had 11,547 solar PV installations with 44.6 MW of capacity, up 55% since 2020, according to government figures. The Sunderland page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Cramlington, about 13 miles away
- Newton Aycliffe, about 19 miles away
- Carlisle, about 55 miles away
- Harrogate, about 63 miles away
Sources
- citypopulation.de: northeastengland
- en.wikipedia.org: International Advanced Manufacturing Park
- mileway.com: pattinson south industrial estate
- mileway.com: crowther industrial estate
- en.wikipedia.org: Washington, Tyne and Wear
- northeastautomotivealliance.com
- northeast-ca.gov.uk: north east investment zone
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- en.wikipedia.org: Distribution network operator
- planning.data.gov.uk
- 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 Washington, Tyne and Wear?
Northern Powergrid (Northeast). 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 Washington, Tyne and Wear?
About 95,900 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 £17,550 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Washington, Tyne and Wear 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
- Sunderland11,547 installations, 44.6 MW of solar and about 958 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- North EastNorthern Powergrid connections, the Tyneside Clean Air Zone, Teesside and Sunderland manufacturing, Tyne and Tees ports, and Northumberland farming.
- 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.