Sectors · Retail & shopping centres
Solar Panels and PPAs for Retail and Shopping Centres
Last updated 15 October 2026 · Figures indicative
Short answer: Retail sites suit solar because lighting, refrigeration and air conditioning run through opening hours, matching the solar day. Retail parks and supermarkets often add car-park canopies, and multi-tenant centres can supply tenants through sleeved or landlord-sold power.
Why retail & shopping centres suits solar
- Trading hours align closely with daylight, especially on summer weekends.
- HVAC and refrigeration form a large share of demand.
- Car parks can host solar canopies that also shelter EV chargers.
- Visible solar supports customer-facing sustainability claims.
Typical system size and savings
A large food store with a 250kWp system, using 1,200,000 kWh a year. Generation at 950 kWh/kWp, 85% used on site, grid at 26p/kWh and a PPA at 12p/kWh.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Annual generation | 237,500 kWh |
| Solar used on site | 201,875 kWh (17% of demand) |
| Year-1 PPA saving vs grid | £28,263 |
| Carbon avoided | ≈48 tCO₂e/yr |
Grid rate within 24–28p/kWh (August 2026); PPA rate within 10–14p/kWh; carbon factor 0.2 kgCO₂e/kWh. Exported power is normally the provider's.
Roof and site considerations
- Shopping-centre roofs are often crowded with plant; canopies add capacity.
- Canopies need planning permission more often than rooftop systems.
- Multi-tenant centres need metering to bill each tenant's share.
- Landlord and tenant must agree who signs the PPA.
Funding options for retail & shopping centres
Single-occupier stores usually take an on-site PPA. Multi-tenant centres may have the landlord sign the PPA and resell power to tenants, or use a sleeved structure through an energy supplier. Compare routes in our commercial solar finance guide and the PPA vs buying comparison, or read our complete guide to solar PPAs.
Sector-specific risks
- Tenancy churn: tenant units change hands, so billing arrangements must cope.
- Canopy costs: steel canopies cost far more per kWp than roofs.
- Planning: canopies and visible arrays may need consent.
Related sectors
Solar for retail & shopping centres: FAQs
Can a shopping centre supply solar power to tenants?
Yes. The landlord can sign the PPA and sell power to tenants through sub-metering, or use a sleeved arrangement with a licensed supplier. Lease terms and electricity supply rules need careful review.
Are solar car-park canopies worth it?
They can be, especially when combined with EV charging, but they cost noticeably more per kWp than rooftop panels and often need planning permission. Most sites start with the roof.
Does a supermarket use all its solar?
Usually most of it. Refrigeration and lighting run all day, so self-consumption is often 80–90%. Smaller stores with large roofs may export more.
Who signs the PPA in a retail park?
Whoever controls the roof and can commit for the term — often the landlord for multi-let parks, or the tenant for a single-let store with a long lease and consent.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors (DESNZ)
- legislation.gov.uk — The Non-Domestic Rating (Plant and Machinery) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/405
- HMRC — Capital allowances: Annual Investment Allowance and first-year allowances
- Energy Networks Association — G98 and G99 connection requirements
- European Commission JRC — PVGIS photovoltaic yield tool
Price ranges for larger systems, running costs, batteries and PPA rates are indicative market ranges from UK installer, funder and market sources; no official series exists above 50kWp.
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