Solar for bakeries, cafes and food businesses

Commercial kitchens and refrigeration are some of the most electricity-hungry operations a small business can run. Ovens, proving cabinets, walk-in chillers, freezers and prep equipment all draw power throughout the working day - exactly when solar panels generate at their peak.

We recently spoke to a Prestwich baker spending £10,000 a month on electricity who nearly went under because of it. That's the kind of bill a properly designed commercial solar installation can transform. Most commercial installs reduce monthly costs by 70-100%, with payback typically in three to four years and 20+ years of low-cost energy after that.

Why food businesses see strong returns

The financial case for solar on a bakery, cafe or restaurant is stronger than for a typical home because your demand and your generation line up. Bakeries are running ovens early in the morning. Cafes and restaurants are using prep equipment, dishwashers and refrigeration through lunch and dinner service. Refrigeration and cold storage are pulling power 24/7 with peaks during the day. Solar panels generate from daylight, not just direct sunshine, so even in our northern climate they produce useful power across the working day.

Because you're using nearly every kilowatt-hour your panels produce as it's generated, you don't need battery storage to make the numbers work the way a domestic property does. That dramatically improves the return on investment.

What a system might look like for your business

There's no one-size-fits-all answer - that's the point of the survey. When you contact us, a qualified electrician assesses your property and reviews your electricity usage. Not a salesperson working from a script. We design systems based on your actual roof, your actual usage and your actual budget, then we present the options.

For most commercial properties we'll look at:

• Flat roofs - which give us flexibility to point panels south regardless of how the building sits, ideal for retail units and warehouses with large unused roof areas
• Pitched roofs - which work well on factory units, larger commercial buildings and hospitality properties
• Ground-mounted systems - if you've got spare land, grass verges or yard space

We'll often present multiple options. A recent design for a Bolton carpet warehouse, for example, included a 50-panel flat-roof option giving three-year payback and a 115-panel option covering both flat and pitched roofs with four-year payback.

What you need to qualify

The main requirement is that you own the building - solar installations on leased or rented food premises don't work because you need long-term ownership to realise the payback. You'll also need sufficient roof space or land, and ideally high electricity consumption. The more you're spending now, the faster the payback.

If you're a tenant in a leased unit, it may still be worth speaking to your landlord - we can put together the financial case for them as the asset owner.

How we work

Ashley personally oversees every installation. From the initial free survey through to system design, installation and aftercare, you've got one direct point of contact who actually understands the electrical work. We coordinate timing to suit your trading hours so we can keep disruption to a minimum, and we work with local roofers and scaffolders on every project.

After installation, we handle the grid connection, provide electrical certifications, and set up Smart Export Guarantee arrangements so you can earn income from any excess electricity you generate.

Why work with us

• MCS-certified installer (NAP-66870) - your installation qualifies for Smart Export Guarantee payments
• Octopus Energy Trusted Partner
• NAPIT registered electrician with 20+ years' experience
• 9.6/10 on Checkatrade from 80+ verified reviews
• Honest design advice - if the numbers don't work for your business, we'll tell you

Coverage across Greater Manchester

Based in Prestwich, we serve food businesses throughout Greater Manchester and the wider North West - from independent bakeries and cafes through to multi-site operators with kitchens and cold storage to power.

Contact us today for a free commercial solar consultation and detailed financial analysis for your bakery, cafe or restaurant.