Sectors · Warehouses & logistics

Solar Panels and PPAs for Warehouses and Logistics

Last updated 15 October 2026 · Figures indicative

Short answer: Warehouses suit solar because they combine large, unshaded flat or low-pitch roofs with steady daytime electricity use from lighting, conveyors, chillers and EV fleet charging. Many sites can host 250kWp–1MWp+ and use most of the output on site, which is exactly what PPA funders look for.

Why warehouses & logistics suits solar

Roof area is usually far larger than the building's demand needs, so systems are sized to load rather than roof.
Lighting, racking automation, dock doors and battery-powered handling equipment run through daylight hours.
Fleet and van EV charging adds a growing daytime load that solar can supply directly.
24-hour sites still use a large share of solar output because base load never drops to zero.

Typical system size and savings

A 15,000m² distribution centre with a 500kWp system, using 900,000 kWh a year. Generation at 900 kWh/kWp, 80% used on site, grid at 26p/kWh and a PPA at 12p/kWh.

Illustrative year-1 figures — your site will differ
Measure	Result
Annual generation	450,000 kWh
Solar used on site	360,000 kWh (40% of demand)
Year-1 PPA saving vs grid	£50,400
Carbon avoided	≈90 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

Profiled metal roofs are the quickest to install on; check the remaining life of the sheeting and fixings.
Fragile rooflights need protection or mesh; older roofs may contain asbestos cement sheets.
A structural survey confirms the portal frame can carry the extra 12–15 kg/m².
Larger systems usually need a G99 application to the DNO and may need export limitation.

Funding options for warehouses & logistics

A PPA is the most common route for tenanted warehouses because no capital is tied up in a leased building and the agreement can transfer to the next occupier. Owner-occupiers with capital may prefer to buy and claim capital allowances. 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

Lease length: funders usually want 15+ years remaining, or landlord consent to assign.
Roof warranty: confirm the installer's work won't void the roof manufacturer's warranty.
Insurance: tell your property insurer and check fire-safety requirements for rooftop PV.

Solar for warehouses & logistics: FAQs

How big a solar system can a warehouse roof take?

As a rough guide, each 1,000m² of usable roof fits about 180kWp of panels. A 15,000m² warehouse could therefore host well over 1MWp, although systems are usually sized to the site's daytime demand and the DNO's export limits rather than the full roof.

Can a warehouse tenant get a solar PPA?

Yes, with the landlord's consent. Funders typically need 15 or more years of tenure, or a lease that lets the PPA pass to the next occupier. Some landlords sign the PPA themselves and sell the power to tenants.

Does solar help with EV fleet charging?

Yes. Daytime charging of vans and cars can be supplied directly by rooftop solar, which raises self-consumption and improves PPA savings. Night-time charging still relies on grid power unless a battery is added.

Will installation disrupt warehouse operations?

Usually very little. Most work happens on the roof, with scaffolding or edge protection at one or two access points. The main interruption is a short planned shutdown when the system is connected to your main switchboard.

Sources

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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