7 Benefits of Solar Panels for Businesses

Getting the most bang for your buck as a business is essential and balancing the short and long-term cash-flow can be tricky; there are plenty of investments that you could make, commercial solar panels being one of them, but how do you know when is the right time to make the decision? And what’s the opportunity cost of spending that money? Here we take a look at some of the biggest benefits you can get with solar panels and why you should consider the investment.

1. They significantly reduce energy bills

It’s one of the most obvious benefits but commercial solar panels can have a positive reduction on your energy bills as a business. Whilst they may be a large upfront investment in the short term, over the long term, they reduce your reliance on the grid and allow you to sell energy back. In a commercial setting this can lower the running costs of a building creating savings for both you and your tenants.

 2. They are becoming more affordable

Solar energy prices have fallen dramatically since the technology was in its infancy and this has gone hand in hand with a decrease in the price of solar panels both in a domestic and commercial setting. With increased adoption in various sectors many are looking to reap the faster return on investment that is made possible by more affordable solar panels. When it comes to business, rarely do you find opportunities to both reduce costs and benefit your marketing in the long run, but point number 3 shows that commercial solar panels can do just that!

3. They are great for marketing and PR purposes

Whilst you do not want to be guilty of the increasingly damaging practice of greenwashing, making sure you shout about your new solar initiatives will help you to justify the cost if you are needing to get buy-in from the board. Equally getting relevant content out there is essential for long-term brand building, if you can tie in your solar panels to any current messaging you are well onto a winner.

4. They help you build your green credentials

In a similar vein to the marketing benefits, commercial solar panels can also help you push towards green credentials which are becoming important when it comes to getting an edge vs the competition. Take the popular B Corp accreditation for example; these are notoriously difficult to get and keep, but they are often a differentiator when larger companies are selecting suppliers. The introduction of solar panels can help you with the environmental impact section of B Corp and whilst they are not a silver bullet, they are something that will certainly help. Equally if you are unable to install solar panels, look to switch to greener energy suppliers to help fight your cause.

5. They help build a more sustainable business and planet

Commercial solar panels play a key role in creating a more sustainable business and planet. By switching to solar energy, companies can significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and lowering their carbon footprint. This not only aligns with environmental goals but also supports progress in line with consumer and regulatory pressures.

Solar panels also offer long-term financial benefits by reducing energy costs and providing protection against future price hikes. For businesses looking to future-proof operations while supporting the transition to cleaner energy, solar power is a practical and impactful solution.

Joshua Buckland, Director of Strategy and Policy at EDF and a leading voice in the space stated in a recent report that “Transition to renewables has reached a critical point and organisations/governments are recognising the security and cost advantages of renewable energy”. Governments will continue broadly speaking to promote renewables, so investing in them now should put your business in a strong position for the future.

6. They help to protect your business from power outages

Commercial solar panels can help keep your business running, even when the power goes out. By generating your own electricity and storing it with battery backups, you’re less dependent on the grid and better prepared for unexpected outages. This means you can avoid costly downtime, keep essential systems running, and maintain a reliable service for your customers. It’s a smart way to stay in control, especially as power cuts become more common due to rising demand and extreme weather. Solar energy gives you that extra peace of mind while supporting a greener future.

7. They often have financial incentives attached to them

Investing in commercial solar panels isn’t just good for the planet, it can also make strong financial sense. In the UK, several incentives help businesses cut costs and see faster returns. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays businesses for any surplus electricity they export back to the grid helping you to build the business case for solar panels in a commercial setting.