No upfront cost
is not a problem.
Two ways to go solar without touching your capital. Commercial finance and Power Purchase Agreements — both available across England & Wales.
Own it. Or pay per unit. Either works.
Commercial Finance
Spread the cost over 3–10 years. Your system starts saving from day one — meaning monthly payments are often offset by the bill reduction from month one.
Most customers find the monthly saving exceeds the finance payment within the first year. We’ll show you the exact figures for your site before you sign anything.
Power Purchase Agreement
We install the system at no cost to you. You buy the electricity it generates at a rate lower than your current tariff — locked in for the term of the agreement.
PPA suits businesses that want the benefit of solar without capital commitment or ownership responsibility. More detail on a dedicated PPA page — ask us for information.
Your system. Your asset. Spread over time.
Commercial asset finance works exactly like hire purchase or a business loan — except the asset paying for itself is the solar or battery system on your roof. You agree a term (typically 3–10 years), pay a fixed monthly amount, and own the system outright at the end.
Because energy savings typically exceed monthly repayments, most businesses see a positive cash flow from month one — not from year four when a cash purchase would break even.
Who it suits
Finance payment Estimator
This is an illustrative estimate only. Actual monthly payments will be confirmed by your finance provider. MiniGrid is not a credit broker.
Someone else owns it. You just get cheap electricity.
Under a PPA, a third-party investor funds, installs and maintains the solar system on your site. You sign an agreement to purchase the electricity it generates at a fixed per-unit rate — typically 20–40% below your current grid tariff.
At the end of the agreement (usually 10–25 years), you typically have the option to purchase the system at market value, extend the agreement, or have it removed.
Key PPA Terms explained
Who owns the system?
The PPA provider / investor — not you. They are responsible for maintenance, insurance and performance.
How is the rate set?
Usually fixed or with a small annual escalator (e.g. 2% per year) — well below typical grid price rises. Agreed upfront for the full term.
What if the system underperforms?
The PPA provider is typically responsible for output. If the system generates less than guaranteed, your payment reflects this.
What if I sell the business?
PPA agreements are typically transferable to a new owner. We’ll explain all transfer provisions clearly at the proposal stage.
Who PPA suits
Typical PPA structure
|
Agreement length |
10–25 years |
|
PPA rate vs grid |
20–40% below |
|
Annual escalator |
Typically 0–3% |
|
End of term |
Buy, extend or remove |
Finance vs PPA vs Cash. In plain English.
|
Finance |
PPA |
Cash |
|
|
Upfront cost |
£0 |
£0 |
Full cost |
|
System ownership |
You (from day one) |
PPA provider |
You |
|
Monthly cost |
Loan repayment |
Lower unit rate only |
None after purchase |
|
Export earnings (SEG) |
You keep them |
PPA provider keeps them |
You keep them |
|
Maintenance responsibility |
You (MegaCare available) |
PPA provider |
You (MegaCare available) |
|
Best payback period |
Positive from month 1 |
Positive from month 1 |
3-60 Months |
|
Flexibility |
Fixed term, early repay possible |
Long-term commitment |
Full flexibility |
|
Best for |
Asset-minded businesses |
Zero-capital sites |
Businesses with capital to deploy |
5
Best decision we ever made. Bill went from £280 to under £40 a month.
Best decision we ever made. Bill went from £280 to under £40 a month.
Let’s work out what
your site can actually do.
Fill in your details and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours to arrange a free commercial assessment — no obligation, no hard sell.
Book your free commercial assessment
Tell us about your site and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Capital shouldn’t be the thing stopping you.
Finance and PPA mean there’s genuinely no reason to wait. A free assessment shows you exactly what you’d save — with or without using your own capital.