Improve Your EPC Rating
With Commercial Solar

How Solar Improves EPC Ratings

A commercial EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rates a building's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The rating is calculated based on the building's energy consumption per square metre, factoring in heating, cooling, lighting, and hot water systems.

Solar PV directly reduces a building's net energy consumption by generating on-site renewable electricity. This reduction feeds directly into the EPC calculation, improving the rating. The improvement depends on:

• Building size: Smaller buildings see proportionally larger improvements per kW of solar installed.
• Current rating: Buildings already rated C or D typically see the largest point improvements from solar.
• System size: A larger system generates more electricity, providing a greater reduction in net energy consumption.
• Roof orientation: South-facing roofs maximise generation and therefore EPC improvement.

Financial Benefits Beyond EPC

While EPC compliance is the immediate driver, the financial case for commercial solar is compelling in its own right:

• 100% Annual Investment Allowance: Deduct the full cost of the solar system from pre-tax profits in year one, saving 19-25% of the project cost immediately.
• 100% Business Rates Exemption: Rooftop solar installations are exempt from business rates until at least 2035.
• Smart Export Guarantee: Earn 4-15p per kWh for any surplus electricity exported to the grid.
• Higher Rental Premiums: Properties with better EPC ratings command higher rents. RICS data shows a measurable premium for energy-efficient commercial buildings.
• Increased Asset Value: A building with solar and an improved EPC is worth more on the open market.

Hull-Specific Considerations

Hull City Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and has set a 2045 net zero target. The council has already contracted rooftop solar on 12 public buildings and secured £700,000 for further installations. This institutional support for solar creates a favourable planning environment for commercial installations.

With 170+ businesses signed up to the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign (including 7 of Hull's 10 largest employers), supply chain pressure for sustainability credentials is intensifying. Solar provides measurable, verifiable carbon reductions that satisfy both EPC and net zero requirements.