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To start your solar journey, speak to our expert solar team, who'll help you to build a solar setup designed to work with the way you do business.
How Many Solar Panels do I Need for my Business?
Find out how many solar panels your business needs to reduce bills, cut carbon, and become more energy independent — with expert advice from LMF.
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The right solar system starts with the right design
When it comes to commercial solar, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The number of panels your business needs depends on your site, energy usage, and long-term goals — whether that’s reducing bills, gaining energy independence, or hitting sustainability targets.
At LMF Energy Services, we design every system around your needs. With years of experience and over 19,000 measures installed nationwide, we can guide you through the right options to power your business.
What are the main contributors to the size of your setup?
We’ll look at several key variables when designing your commercial solar system:
- Daily and seasonal electricity usage
- Roof or ground space available
- Panel type and efficiency
- Operating hours (e.g. daytime vs overnight usage)
- Future growth or electrification plans
- Your goals – bill savings, ESG, Net Zero targets, etc.
Example: A medium-sized warehouse using 150 kWh/day may need 80–120 panels (40–60 kW system), depending on roof space and efficiency.
Example solar systems
Small Office
Annual usage: 7,500 to 14,500 kWh
Suitable system: 10 to 20 kW (20-40 panels)
Annual generation: Approx. 9,000 to 18,000 kWh
Roof space needed: 40 to 80 m2
Medium Retail
Annual usage: 14,500 to 35,000 kWh
Suitable system: 20 to 40 kWh (40-80 panels)
Annual generation: Approx. 18,000-38,000 kWh
Roof space needed: 80 to 160 m2
Large Warehouse
Annual usage: 35,000 to 180,000 kWh
Suitable system: 50 to 200 kWh (100 to 400 panels)
Annual generation: Approx. 40,000 to 200,000 kWh
Roof space needed: 200 to 800 m2
Assumes 450W per panel, 850-950 kWh per kW installed, approximately 2 m2 needed per panel, including access.
Can I oversize my system?
Many businesses plan for future growth or electric vehicle charging when sizing their system. In some cases, oversizing can also allow you to benefit more from export tariffs or Power Purchase Agreements.
Our team will help you weigh up:
- Energy usage forecasts
- Battery storage integration
- Return on investment (ROI)
- DNO connection limits
If your sustem produces more than you use at any time, you can either store to a batter or export back to the grid. We'll help you to decide what makes the most sense for your business.
Speak to our team
Want to have a chat about how LMF can support you in your solar journey?
Fill in the form below and we'll contact you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can call us on 0800 107 5211.
Explore Business Solar
Discover our most popular guides, packed with practical advice and clear information to help you save energy, reduce costs, and make informed decisions.
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Get a bespoke quote for your business
LMF offers a free solar assessment for businesses of all sizes. We’ll help you understand how many panels you need, what savings you could unlock, and how to fund your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my business benefit from solar panels?
Definitely. Solar cuts electricity costs, improves sustainability credentials, and protects against rising energy prices.
What types of businesses do you work with?
We support SMEs, large enterprises, industrial sites, farms, and public buildings — if you’ve got roof or land space, we can help.
Is financing available for commercial solar?
Yes. We offer flexible finance options including PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) to help you install solar with little to no upfront cost.
How much can I save?
Savings depend on your usage and system size, but many businesses cut energy bills by 30–70% with solar.
Will solar interrupt my business operations?
No — we plan installations to minimise disruption, and most businesses can stay fully operational during the process.
Can I sell extra electricity back to the grid?
Yes. You can export surplus energy through a smart export guarantee, creating a new income stream.