Key facts
| Council area | North Somerset |
| Population | 84,605 (Weston-super-Mare built-up area, usual residents, Census 2021 (ONS)) |
| Network operator | National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West licence area) |
| Main employment areas | Weston Industrial Estate; Oldmixon Crescent; Worle Parkway |
| Indicative yield | About 1,057 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in England |
Where businesses are in Weston-super-Mare
- Weston Industrial Estate: A modern development of industrial and warehouse units covering more than eight hectares off Winterstoke Road, about 2 miles south of the town centre, with units from about 1,200 sq ft upwards.
- Oldmixon Crescent: An established estate directly opposite Weston Industrial Estate with everything from small workshop units to large warehouse and manufacturing premises, including Oakwood Business Park.
- Worle Parkway: A campus style office park close to junction 21 of the M5, next to Worle station with direct trains to Bristol Temple Meads. The council says land has also been released for employment at Weston Airfield, Locking Parklands and next to junction 21.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Visitor economy and leisure: North Somerset Council won £20 million of government Levelling Up funding to deliver a year-round, experience-led economy in the town, with projects at Birnbeck Pier, Marine Lake, the Tropicana, Grove Park and the town centre.
- Further education (Weston College): Weston College announced in February 2024 that Ofsted had rated it Good across all eight areas, with the top Strong rating for meeting regional skills needs, a level the college says only about 9% of UK colleges reach.
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
Weston-super-Mare is served by National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West 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 Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare follows the national planning rules for England, decided by North Somerset 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 Great Weston Conservation Area, designated on 12 April 2018, covers about 297.5 hectares of the town and holds 71 listed buildings, three of them Grade II*, so many roofs in the 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 Weston-super-Mare could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 1,057 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 105,700 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £17,758 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,586 earned |
| Total a year | About £19,343 |
| 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 Weston-super-Mare 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 North Somerset
At the end of 2025, North Somerset had 13,161 solar PV installations with 108.5 MW of capacity, up 34% since 2020, according to government figures. The North Somerset page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
- Penarth, about 11 miles away
- Barry, about 13 miles away
- Bridgwater, about 15 miles away
- Newport, about 17 miles away
Sources
- ons.gov.uk: census2021
- ons.gov.uk: datadownload.xlsx
- innorthsomerset.co.uk: business locations
- n-somerset.gov.uk: improving weston super mare
- weston.ac.uk: proud be awarded good college strong skills rating
- heritagecheck.co.uk: great weston
- gov.uk: enterprise zones
- gov.uk: investment zones in england
- gov.uk: maps of uk freeports
- 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 Weston-super-Mare?
National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West 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 Weston-super-Mare?
About 105,700 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 £19,343 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Weston-super-Mare 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
- North Somerset13,161 installations, 108.5 MW of solar and about 1,022 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.