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'No hesitation in recommending Spirit Energy'

 -Peter Dennis, Managing Director, Philip Dennis Foodservice

'Installation was better than seamless'

 -Giles Owen, Operations Director, Hansgrohe UK

Warehouse solar installed by Spirit Energy

Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate installed by Spirit Energy, 2023

Why Turn Your Building into a Solar Panel Warehouse

Warehouses are some of the best buildings for solar. Large roof areas, minimal shading, and high daytime energy use make warehouses ideal candidates for solar panel installations. Energy is one of the largest operating costs in logistics and manufacturing, and with rising electricity prices, solar provides a long-term hedge against future increases while reducing operational overheads.

Recent installations on the Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate, Hansgrohe UK Headquarters, and Spirit Energy’s own building in Reading are just three of many warehouse solar projects we have delivered across the UK.

Contact Spirit Energy to explore solar panels for your business.

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Do Solar Panels Make Sense for Warehouses?

Warehouses are designed with wide, flat roof structures that provide an ideal platform for solar panel systems. The simple roof layouts make installation straightforward and allow large capacities to be deployed without the constraints often found on more complex buildings.

Solar is particularly well matched to warehouse operations because of the predictable daytime energy profile. From lighting and HVAC systems to refrigeration and material handling equipment, power demand runs consistently through daylight hours, enabling businesses to capture maximum benefit from their solar generation.

See financing options for your project here. 

Solar installed by Spirit Energy

Installed by Spirit Energy, 2021

Warehouse Solar Installation - 212 Solar Panels | Hansgrohe UK Headquarters

Should Businesses Invest in Solar? - Spirit Energy YouTube Case Study.

How scalable are solar systems for growing warehouse operations?

Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate installed by Spirit Energy, 2023

What is the Payback Period for Warehouse Solar?

The payback period for installing solar panels on a warehouse is typically fast, with many businesses seeing returns in as little as five years. By generating clean electricity on-site, warehouses can slash energy bills, reduce reliance on the grid, and protect against rising power costs. Once the system is paid off, the electricity produced is essentially free, delivering long-term savings and boosting financial resilience.

  Payback Period Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
Cathedral Hill  5 years 23%
Hansgrohe UK  4 years 34%
Spirit House 4.5 years 24%

Warehouse Sustainability

Warehouses are increasingly central to sustainability strategies in the commercial and logistics sectors. Installing solar panels on warehouses helps reduce carbon emissions, lower operating costs, and improve a building’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

By generating clean electricity directly on site, warehouse owners can decrease grid dependence, protect against rising energy prices, and move closer to net zero carbon targets. A sustainable warehouse not only cuts emissions but also strengthens brand reputation, supports corporate ESG goals, and meets growing demand for low-carbon logistics throughout the UK.

Warehouse EPC rating and Sustainability

Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate installed by Spirit Energy, 2023

FAQ's

Installing solar panels on a warehouse roof can significantly cut electricity costs by generating clean energy on-site, reducing reliance on the grid, and protecting the business against rising energy prices. Warehouses often have large, unused roof space, making them ideal for accommodating high-capacity systems that deliver maximum savings. Solar also improves EPC ratings and lowers carbon emissions.

There are very few disadvantages to installing solar panels on a warehouse. The main considerations are the upfront investment, the need for a roof survey to confirm structural suitability, and occasional grid connection limitations. However, with financing options such as power purchase agreements (PPAs), government incentives, and falling installation costs, these barriers are usually easy to overcome. Overall, the advantages of warehouse solar — from major cost savings to sustainability benefits — far outweigh the minor drawbacks.

Yes. Solar panels can enhance the market value of a warehouse by improving its EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating, which makes the property more attractive to potential buyers and tenants. For businesses, a solar-equipped warehouse can reduce operating costs long term, boosting overall profitability and asset value. Solar also positions the property as a future-proofed, sustainable investment.

In most cases, solar panel installations on warehouses fall under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission is not required. However, exceptions may apply for listed buildings, conservation areas, or if panels protrude significantly from the roofline. It is always advisable to carry out a planning check and structural survey before installation to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Yes. Adding a commercial battery storage system allows warehouses to store surplus solar energy for use during evenings, peak tariff times, or power outages. This maximises self-consumption, reduces grid dependency, and enhances energy security for critical warehouse operations. 

Warehouse solar systems are generally low-maintenance. Panels have no moving parts and typically last 25–30 years, requiring only periodic cleaning and inspections to maintain efficiency. Inverters and batteries may need replacement every 10–15 years. Most installers offer monitoring systems to track performance in real time, ensuring any issues are identified quickly and downtime is minimised.

Foodservice Warehouse Turned Their Roof Into £2,400,000

In 2024, Spirit Energy installed a 695 kWp solar system across the warehouse and cold store facilities of Philip Dennis Foodservice Ltd in Oxfordshire. The 1,636-panel array is expected to save the business more than £85,000 each year on electricity, pay for itself in under five years, and deliver over £2.4 million in lifetime savings.

By choosing solar, Philip Dennis reduced reliance on the grid, protected themselves from rising energy prices, and took a major step towards their long-term net zero goals.

Read more about this project.

How Phillip Dennis Foodservice turned their roof into 2.4mln

Philip Dennis Foodservice installed by Spirit Energy, 2024

In-house case study - Spirit House

Spirit House Reading installed by Spirit Energy, 2024

Our In-house Case Study

In January 2024, Spirit Energy installed a 54.61 kWp solar PV system at our headquarters, Spirit House in Reading, significantly reducing the site’s reliance on grid electricity. The system was designed to cut energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and future-proof the building against rising energy costs.

This project highlights how commercial properties can unlock long-term savings while supporting sustainability goals through well-designed rooftop solar.

Read more here.

Solar for Warehouses Experts

With energy costs continuing to rise and the pressure to meet sustainability targets, switching to solar is a practical way to cut running expenses and show a clear commitment to greener operations.

Spirit Energy specialises in solar panels for warehouses, offering clear advice on system design, expected performance and the financial returns you could achieve.

Spirit Energy's 100% in-house design and installation team helps businesses make the most effective use of their roof area and tailors solutions that fit both their budget and long-term plans. Installations are built with future expansion in mind, allowing additional capacity to be added as needs grow.

Meet-the-Spirit-Energy-Team-In-house-Sigenergy-SigenStor-Installers
Vishal Giga - Vertical - Spirit Energy - Head of Operations

Vishal Giga
Operations Director

Joined Spirit in 2010

Vishal joined Spirit Energy a few months after Erica and Ian founded the business in 2010 as a project manager, and is now our Operations Director. All of our project managers and installers are in-house, and Vishal oversees them all and is in charge of making sure that every project goes smoothly and is installed on time. Vish has a wealth of experience with both commercial and residential projects, and directly manages every commercial project that we do, including our installations at Philip Dennis Foodservice in April 2024, and Hansgrohe's headquarters in September 2024.

Justin Parsons - Vertical - Spirit Energy - Head of Installations

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Justin is the backbone of the company and part of the leadership team. He has overall responsibility for the installers, electrical design and sign off of all systems as well doing a technical and structural survey for every project to ensure we can manage each job perfectly. His devotion and meticulous attention to detail has helped build Spirit into the reputable and trustworthy brand we are today. 

You will most likely meet Justin on your technical & structural survey where he will plan your entire installation and run you through every minute detail. 

"My ultimate goal is to ensure our operations run smoothly, delivering exceptional customer service and top-quality installations to every customer, domestic or commercial."

-Vishal Giga, Operations Director

"I know that the technical & structural survey is a step that other installers don't feel is necessary, but many of Spirit's customers appreciate the chance to talk to the actual installers before the installation date."

-Justin Parsons, Head of Installations

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