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                        "text": "Under a commercial solar power purchase agreement, a third party usually funds, owns and maintains the solar PV system, while the site buys the electricity generated at an agreed price per kWh. PPAs can reduce or remove upfront cost, but they are normally long-term contracts and should be checked carefully for pricing, indexation, termination rights, buyout terms, maintenance obligations and what happens if the occupier leaves or electricity demand changes."
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                        "text": "A strong commercial solar business case usually depends on high daytime electricity use, good roof or land availability, a suitable grid connection, manageable installation costs and a finance term that fits the organisation’s plans. The proposal should be assessed using whole-life value, expected self-consumption, export assumptions, maintenance costs, inverter replacement, finance costs, tax treatment and sensitivity to electricity price changes."
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                        "text": "Self-consumption is the share of solar electricity used directly on site. It matters because electricity used on site usually offsets imported grid electricity, which is often worth more than exported electricity. Sites with strong daytime demand, such as factories, warehouses, cold stores, offices, schools, care homes and leisure centres, often have stronger commercial solar returns than sites that export most of their generation."
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                        "text": "A business may be able to receive export payments for surplus electricity, for example through eligible Smart Export Guarantee arrangements or a commercial export contract. However, export rates are usually lower than the value of avoiding grid imports, so export income should normally be treated as a secondary benefit rather than the foundation of the financial case."
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                        "text": "Important checks include half-hourly electricity consumption data, roof age and condition, structural capacity, shading, access, cable routes, switchgear suitability, DNO approval, export capacity, metering, insurance requirements, fire safety, roof warranties and any planning or heritage constraints. A reliable finance decision should not be based only on annual electricity usage or a desktop roof estimate."
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                        "text": "Tenants can install commercial solar panels only if their lease allows it or the landlord gives consent. The agreement should cover roof alterations, access rights, ownership, maintenance, insurance, export income, removal obligations and what happens when the lease ends. Short leases can make solar harder to justify unless there is a clear extension, transfer, buyout or compensation arrangement."
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                        "text": "Landlords can finance solar panels for tenanted buildings, but the structure must be clear. The landlord may recover value through electricity resale, service charges, rent arrangements or a separate energy agreement. The documents should define who owns the system, who receives the savings, who maintains it, who insures it and what happens if the tenant leaves or the building is sold."
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                        "text": "Commercial solar grants may be available in some areas or sectors, but they are often local, time-limited, competitive or linked to wider decarbonisation schemes. Eligibility can depend on location, business size, sector, carbon savings, procurement timing and whether the project has already started. A project should normally still make sense without a grant unless funding has been confirmed in writing."
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                        "text": "Commercial solar is generally subject to VAT, although VAT-registered businesses may be able to reclaim input VAT depending on normal VAT rules and the project structure. Tax treatment depends on ownership and finance type, with capital allowances potentially relevant for owned systems. Leases, PPAs and asset finance can be treated differently, so businesses should take accounting and tax advice before committing to larger projects."
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                        "text": "Commercial solar may affect business rates depending on how the system is used, who owns it, whether it mainly supplies the occupier and whether electricity is exported. Larger systems, landlord-funded projects and export-heavy installations should be reviewed with a rating adviser instead of relying on a generic assumption."
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