Solar panels for manufacturers and high-energy businesses
Turn a large roof and predictable daytime energy demand into a long-term commercial advantage. DW Energy designs and installs commercial solar PV and battery storage for factories, industrial units and other high-consumption sites across Sussex and the South East.
High electricity use can make solar work harder for your business
Manufacturing businesses often consume the most electricity during the same daytime hours in which solar panels generate power.
That creates an opportunity to use more renewable electricity directly on site, reduce the amount purchased from the grid and build a stronger return from available factory or warehouse roof space.
That creates an opportunity to use more renewable electricity directly on site, reduce the amount purchased from the grid and build a stronger return from available factory or warehouse roof space.
Replace grid electricity with power generated on site
Use solar electricity across machinery, production equipment, lighting, ventilation and other daytime loads, reducing grid purchases when the system is generating.
Use solar electricity across machinery, production equipment, lighting, ventilation and other daytime loads, reducing grid purchases when the system is generating.
Design around production demand
Use energy data, operating hours, shift patterns and future growth plans to build a commercial solar system around the way the business actually runs.
Use energy data, operating hours, shift patterns and future growth plans to build a commercial solar system around the way the business actually runs.
Put underused roof space to work
Turn a suitable factory, warehouse or industrial unit roof into a productive business asset without taking up valuable operational space.
Turn a suitable factory, warehouse or industrial unit roof into a productive business asset without taking up valuable operational space.
A commercial energy system built around your operation
Commercial solar should not be treated as equipment simply added to a roof. It must work with the building, electrical infrastructure, grid connection and production environment below it.
DW Energy brings commercial solar, battery storage and accredited electrical installation together within one coordinated project.
DW Energy brings commercial solar, battery storage and accredited electrical installation together within one coordinated project.
Data-led commercial solar design
Your commercial solar PV system is sized around electricity demand, available roof space, working hours and the amount of generation the business can use on site.
Your commercial solar PV system is sized around electricity demand, available roof space, working hours and the amount of generation the business can use on site.
Electrical and grid integration
We assess the existing supply, switchgear, cable routes and DNO requirements, helping ensure the system can be connected safely and practically.
We assess the existing supply, switchgear, cable routes and DNO requirements, helping ensure the system can be connected safely and practically.
Battery storage that increases flexibility
Commercial battery storage can retain surplus solar electricity for later use, increase self-consumption and potentially support periods of higher demand.
Commercial battery storage can retain surplus solar electricity for later use, increase self-consumption and potentially support periods of higher demand.
Installation planned around production
Access, scaffolding, lifting, electrical work and any required isolations are coordinated around production, deliveries and site safety to minimise operational disruption.
Access, scaffolding, lifting, electrical work and any required isolations are coordinated around production, deliveries and site safety to minimise operational disruption.
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Flexible commercial solar funding options are available
Whether you want to purchase the system outright or explore a funded route, we can help you compare the available options against your commercial objectives.
Commercial solar proven in demanding working environments
ETI, Worthing: manufacturing more electricity on site
Manufacturing demand
ETI wanted to reduce the cost of powering its Worthing manufacturing premises and make productive use of the available commercial roof space.
78 kW commercial solar system
DW Energy installed 189 roof-mounted solar panels and two Huawei inverters, creating a substantial source of on-site electricity for the business.
Forecast annual savings of £12,968
The project assessment forecast savings equivalent to approximately 49% of ETI’s previous annual electricity bill.
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Kelgray House, Crawley: supporting business growth
Rising demand from new machinery
As Kelgray expanded and invested in additional printing equipment, the business wanted to get ahead of increasing electricity costs.
Solar and battery storage combined
DW Energy installed 53.9 kW DC of commercial solar PV with 46.4 kWh of battery storage, allowing more generated electricity to be retained and used on site.
Installed in eight days
The installation was completed without disrupting operations. By May 2026, Kelgray had recorded £21,405 in electricity savings and reported more than 70% self-sufficiency.
Four Seasons Fuel, Coneyhurst: industrial solar across two buildings
A high-energy industrial site
Heavy machinery and office facilities created substantial electricity demand across the company’s warehouse and office buildings.
106.9 kWp of commercial solar
DW Energy installed 264 Solarwatt panels across the two roofs, creating a large source of electricity close to where it is consumed.
A solution for a fragile warehouse roof
Specialist fixings and careful installation protected the roof’s watertight integrity while maximising the usable space available.
What our commercial solar clients say
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The installation was completed in just eight days and the team were excellent throughout. They kept everything on track, worked neatly and made sure the project was delivered without disrupting our operations.
Kelgray Products
Managing Director
The team took the agreed design and turned it into a completed installation while managing access, logistics, health and safety, testing and commissioning. DW Energy kept things under control and delivered safely within the required timeframe.
Sunbird
Head of Engineering
The advice was clear, the installation was well handled. We are very happy with the outcome and would recommend DW Energy to other businesses looking to take greater control of their energy costs.
Four Seasons Fuel
Managing Director
Commercial Solar FAQs for manufacturers
Are solar panels a good investment for manufacturers?
Manufacturers can be particularly well suited to commercial solar because they often have substantial electricity demand during daylight hours and large areas of unused roof space.
Using more of the generated electricity on site can reduce grid purchases and strengthen the financial return. The actual investment case must be modelled around the individual site, electricity use and proposed system.
Using more of the generated electricity on site can reduce grid purchases and strengthen the financial return. The actual investment case must be modelled around the individual site, electricity use and proposed system.
How quickly can commercial solar pay for itself?
There is no standard payback period for every manufacturing business. Sites with high and consistent daytime electricity use may achieve a stronger return because more solar electricity can be consumed directly.
Installation cost, electricity tariffs, generation, self-consumption, export income, maintenance and finance costs must all be included in the calculation.
Installation cost, electricity tariffs, generation, self-consumption, export income, maintenance and finance costs must all be included in the calculation.
Can production continue during the installation?
In many cases, the business can remain operational while the solar panels are installed.
We plan access, scaffolding, lifting, working areas and electrical work around production and deliveries. Any required isolations or temporary shutdowns are identified and agreed in advance.
We plan access, scaffolding, lifting, working areas and electrical work around production and deliveries. Any required isolations or temporary shutdowns are identified and agreed in advance.
How much do solar panels for a factory cost?
The cost depends on the size of the system, roof construction, access, electrical infrastructure, grid connection and whether battery storage is included.
We assess the site and energy data before providing a proposal containing forecast generation, projected savings and expected payback.
We assess the site and energy data before providing a proposal containing forecast generation, projected savings and expected payback.
Can solar panels be installed on factory or warehouse roofs?
Solar panels can be installed on many factory, warehouse and industrial unit roofs, subject to structural and site assessments.
We consider roof condition, loading capacity, available area, shading, access, fixing requirements and watertight integrity before recommending an installation method.
We consider roof condition, loading capacity, available area, shading, access, fixing requirements and watertight integrity before recommending an installation method.
Is battery storage worthwhile for a high-energy business?
For many high-energy businesses, battery storage can add considerable value alongside solar. It allows surplus electricity to be retained for use later, increasing the amount of solar generation consumed on site.
The right battery size depends on the business’s demand profile, tariffs, export levels and operational requirements. Power-cut backup requires a system specifically designed to provide it.
The right battery size depends on the business’s demand profile, tariffs, export levels and operational requirements. Power-cut backup requires a system specifically designed to provide it.
