Solar PPA explained
What is a solar PPA?
A plain-English guide for UK business owners, finance directors and facilities managers.
A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) lets your business use solar electricity without paying for the panels. A provider pays for, installs and maintains the system on your roof or land. You then buy the electricity it produces at an agreed price, usually below what you pay your energy supplier.
How a solar PPA works
- 1
Share your energy data
Send 12 months of electricity bills, or a usage report from your supplier.
- 2
Receive your free proposal
We design a system for your site and set out the fixed rate you would pay.
- 3
We fund, install and maintain
Apex pays for the installation and looks after the system for the full 15-year term.
You pay only for the electricity the system generates, at a rate fixed for 15 years and not linked to market prices.
What does a solar PPA cost?
Nothing upfront. There is no capital outlay, no installation bill and no maintenance contract to arrange. Many commercial customers typically save 20–40% on their electricity costs, though this depends on your usage, roof and site.
Solar PPA vs buying solar panels outright
| Solar PPA | Buying outright | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None | Significant capital spend |
| Maintenance | Included | Your responsibility |
| Price per unit | Fixed for 15 years | Free electricity after payback |
| Best for | Businesses that want savings without spending capital | Businesses with spare capital and a long-term view |
Who is a solar PPA suited to?
- Factories, warehouses and distribution sites with large roofs
- Schools, councils and other public sector organisations
- Sports clubs, hospitality venues and farms with high daytime electricity use
Systems range from 20kW to multi-megawatt scale, and battery storage and EV chargers can be added under the same agreement.
Questions to ask any PPA provider
- Is the price per unit fixed, or does it rise each year?
- Who maintains the system, and is that included in the price?
- What happens at the end of the term?
- Who is responsible for repairs and insurance?
Ready to see what you could save?
Send us 12 months of electricity bills and we will prepare a free, no-obligation proposal for your site.
Get my free savings estimate