News
Warehouses and supermarkets: Opportunities and challenges for community solar
15 December 2025
Warehouses and supermarkets have some of the largest roof spaces in the country and use a lot of electricity during the day, which makes them ideal for solar power.
On 4 December Community Energy England hosted an online event, on behalf of the Energy Learning Network, and in partnership with Ethex, to bring together community energy groups and sector experts to talk honestly about the opportunities – and the barriers – to making this happen in practice.
One of the biggest challenges discussed was working with landlords. Unless a tenant has a very strong relationship with their landlord, the conversation often comes down to a simple question: “What’s in it for us?” That question may become easier to answer as new energy efficiency regulations come into force. In England and Wales, rental properties are expected to move from an EPC rating of E to C, applying to new tenancies from 2028 and all existing tenancies from 2030. Rooftop solar has been shown to increase EPC ratings by between one and five levels, which could make it a much more attractive option for landlords trying to future-proof their buildings.
Structural issues also remain a real barrier. Many older warehouse roofs were not designed to take the weight of solar panels, and strengthening them can be costly. While industry bodies like the UK Warehouse Association can’t fund assessments or upgrades, there is clear value in working together to identify which buildings are most viable, so community energy groups can focus their efforts where success is most likely.
Insurance was another important topic. Interestingly, for some projects the main issue hasn’t been the cost of insurance itself. In many cases, building owners’ and operators’ insurance continues without increased premiums, and insurance for the solar equipment and public liability can be relatively affordable. The bigger challenge has been insurers insisting on very onerous operation and maintenance requirements, often based on poor or overly cautious advice. There was a strong feeling that the industry could help by agreeing reasonable minimum standards, rather than allowing requirements that risk pricing community energy out of projects altogether.
The way large supermarkets and industrial estates are organised also plays a big role. These sites are usually owned and managed by highly centralised organisations, which means local store managers often don’t have the authority to make decisions about solar. A practical approach shared during the event was to work with willing independent businesses where possible, or to ask local managers for their “up the line” contacts and follow the chain step by step. This kind of patient, relationship-based work can eventually lead to national or regional agreements. It also highlights the value of shared resources, such as a community energy collaboration or contact matrix, to help groups navigate these structures more efficiently.
Solar car parks were also discussed. They offer useful extra benefits, such as shading cars and supporting electric vehicle charging, but they cost more to build than rooftop systems and often need a nearby user for the power. For community energy groups, they can be a good option in the right place, but careful planning is essential.
Recently, the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) announced a major boost for warehouse solar. On 9 December 2025, the Energy Minister, Michael Shanks MP, met with major retailers and the solar industry to explore the potential of warehouse rooftops. The Minister highlighted that using logistics buildings to generate clean energy is one of the few issues with broad political agreement. According to UKWA, warehouse solar is the most popular form of renewable energy with the public, supported by nine in ten people in a YouGov poll.
The announcement noted several challenges, including insurance, grid connections, and the fact that most warehouses are leased – issues that community energy groups also encounter. UKWA is calling for a government-backed pilot at a major logistics hub and plans to combine solar with battery storage and electric vehicle charging. While the press release focused on industry-led projects, there was no mention of community-owned energy initiatives, which highlights an area where local groups could advocate for inclusion.
Overall, our event and the recent UKWA announcement underline that warehouses and supermarkets have huge potential for solar. Unlocking this potential will require collaboration between national organisations, local community energy groups, landlords, and regulators. The challenges are real, but so is the opportunity – and with the right support, community energy projects could play an important role in the “rooftop revolution.”
Huge thank you to our contributors:
John Taylor, Community Energy England
Ben Sharpe, Ethex
Mike Smyth, Energy4All
Dean Hill, Big Solar Co-op/ Sharenergy
The recording of this event is available on our YouTube channel here.