# Commercial Solar Panels Derby | Units, Offices, Farms > Commercial solar panels in Derby for workshops, offices, farms and industrial units, sized to daytime demand so most of the power is used on site. Free quotes. URL: https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/commercial-solar-panels/ 1. [Home](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/) 2. Commercial Solar Panels # Commercial Solar Panels in Derby [Eco Solar Panels UK](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/) designs and fits solar panels for businesses across Derby and the East Midlands, from small workshops and offices to farm buildings and industrial units. Systems are sized to what the building uses during working hours, so most of the power is used on site. Call about a business system 01332 919162 (+441332919162) [Get a free quote](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/contact/) Lines open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. ![Installers carrying a panel across the sawtooth roof of a brick workshop in the East Midlands](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/images/solar-panels-on-sawtooth-roof-of-brick-workshop-east-midlands.webp) - Workshops and industrial units - Offices and shops - Farm and agricultural buildings - Daytime demand matched to generation - Batteries and EV charging for fleets Last updated: 30 September 2026 ## Why daytime use matters A business is often a better fit for solar than a home, because the building is busy while the sun is up. Every unit the panels make that the building uses straight away replaces electricity bought at your business rate. Units exported to the grid are worth far less. So the starting point for a commercial design is your daytime demand, taken from half-hourly data or recent bills, not the size of the roof. ## Buildings we work on Workshops, small industrial units, offices, shops and farm buildings are typical. Each has its own points to check: the strength of a steel-framed or older roof, access for equipment, fragile roof lights, and where the inverters and isolators can go safely. ## The network connection Every system in Derby connects to the network run by National Grid Electricity Distribution, the operator for the East Midlands ([National Grid](https://commercial.nationalgrid.co.uk/downloads-view-reciteme/662693)). Small systems are notified after installation, but larger commercial systems need approval before connection, and that can take time. We submit the application early in the project so it doesn’t hold up the install. ## VAT and costs HMRC’s 0% VAT rate for solar applies to residential accommodation and buildings used solely for relevant charitable purposes ([HMRC VAT Notice 708/6](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-energy-saving-materials-and-heating-equipment-notice-7086)). Business installations are charged VAT at the standard rate. Because commercial systems vary so much in size, we don’t publish a single price here. You get a written quote after the site survey, with the expected yearly generation for your roof from PVGIS. ## Batteries and EV charging A battery can help where use continues after dark or where demand peaks at certain times of day. For businesses running electric vans or offering charging to staff, [EV charger installation](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/ev-charger-installation/) and [solar battery storage](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-battery-storage/) can be designed alongside the panels. ## What's included - A review of half-hourly or monthly electricity data - A roof survey covering structure, access and shading - A system design sized to daytime use - Expected generation using PVGIS figures for the site - The network connection application where needed - Installation planned around your working hours - Monitoring set up so you can see output and use - A written quote before anything is ordered ## How the options compare Commercial Solar Panels: options compared Compare No solar Roof filled with panels Sized to daytime demand Power used on site None generated Often a smaller share Most of it Network approval n/a More likely to need a longer approval Sized with the connection in mind Payback n/a Slower if much is exported Faster, because on-site use saves the most Disruption None Varies Planned around your hours ## Related resources - [Learn Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Derby?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/solar-panels-planning-permission-derby/) - [Decision Guide Is this a good solar quote?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/check-a-solar-quote/) - [Decision Guide How much do solar panels cost in Derby?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/solar-panel-cost-derby/) - [Decision Guide Removing solar panels for a new roof: what does it cost?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/solar-panels-roof-replacement/) System stopped generating? 1. 1Look at the inverter screen or lights and write down any error code or message. 2. 2Stay off the roof and leave the DC cables alone. Burning smell or smoke: keep clear and call 999. 3. 3Call us with the code and roughly how old the system is, 9am to 7pm, 7 days. 01332 919162 (+441332919162) Rules this work has to meet - Network connection application to National Grid Electricity Distribution where the system size requires approval - Roof structure and fixings assessed before design - Planning position checked, including conservation areas Step by step ## How a commercial project runs 1. ### Share your data Recent bills or half-hourly data show how much you use in the day. 2. ### Site survey Roof structure, access, shading and where the equipment will go. 3. ### Design and quote A system design, expected generation and a written price. 4. ### Approve, fit, commission Network approval where needed, then installation planned around your working hours. The work ## How the work looks Illustrative photos of the methods and finish described on this page. They are not records of particular customers' jobs. - ![Solar panels on a farm shed roof in Derbyshire, Derby](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/images/panels-on-farm-shed-roof-with-hills-derby.webp) Solar panels on a farm shed roof in Derbyshire - ![Bank of commercial solar inverters in a plant room, Derby](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/images/inverter-bank-in-plant-room-derby.webp) Bank of commercial solar inverters in a plant room Using most of your power in the day? That is where commercial solar pays back fastest. Call for a free site assessment quote. Lines open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. 01332 919162 (+441332919162) [Get a free quote](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/contact/) Where we work ## Where we work in Derby and the East Midlands Based on 219 Burton Rd, Derby DE23, we work across Derby and the East Midlands. These towns have their own local pages: - [Solar panels in Belper](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-belper/) - [Solar panels in Matlock](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-matlock/) - [Solar panels in Burton upon Trent](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-burton-upon-trent/) - [Solar panels in Long Eaton](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-long-eaton/) - [All areas we cover](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/areas-we-cover/) Questions ## Commercial Solar Panels: common questions ### Is commercial solar VAT-free like home solar? No. HMRC's 0% VAT rate for solar applies to homes and to buildings used solely for relevant charitable purposes. A business installation is charged VAT at the normal rate, which a VAT-registered business can usually reclaim in the usual way. ### What size of system does a business need? It depends on how much electricity you use during daylight hours rather than on roof size. A system sized to daytime demand means most of the power replaces electricity you would otherwise buy, which is where the saving is largest. ### Do we need permission from the network operator? Larger systems need approval from National Grid Electricity Distribution before they are connected, and the process takes longer than for a home system. We prepare and submit the application as part of the project. ### Do commercial buildings need planning permission for solar? Many non-domestic roofs can have panels under permitted development within set limits, but listed buildings, conservation areas and larger systems can need consent. We check the position for your site before quoting. ### Do you cover my area? We are based at 219 Burton Rd, Derby DE23, and cover Derby, including [Belper](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-belper/), [Matlock](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-matlock/), [Burton upon Trent](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-burton-upon-trent/) and [Long Eaton](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panels-long-eaton/), plus Swadlincote, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Ashbourne, Ripley, Heanor, Alfreton and Duffield. Lines are open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. Call 01332 919162 (+441332919162) with your postcode and we will confirm. [All areas we cover](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/areas-we-cover/). ### Can I call outside opening hours? Lines are open every day from 9am to 7pm. If a panel, cable or inverter is smoking, sparking or smells of burning, stay clear of it and ring 999. A system that has simply stopped or is making less than usual is not an emergency, and a call the next morning is fine. Related ## Related services - ### [Solar Battery Storage](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-battery-storage/) Keep the daytime power your panels make for the evening. Fitted with a new system or added to panels you already own, sized from your meter readings. View service - ### [EV Charger Installation](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/ev-charger-installation/) A home charge point on the drive, set up to soak up spare solar in the day and cheap overnight rates the rest of the time. View service - ### [Solar Panel Maintenance](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-panel-maintenance/) A health check that compares what your system makes with what it should make for a Derby roof, then tests the inverter, isolators, wiring and fixings. View service Cut the daytime electricity bill for your building. Call for a free commercial solar quote, or send your postcode and we will ring you back. Lines open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. 01332 919162 (+441332919162) [Get a free quote](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/contact/)