Fabrication solar savings calculator
Enter your workshop's electricity spend to estimate the system size, annual saving, payback and year-one tax relief for solar panels for fabrication. Because a single-shift fab shop uses most of its power in daylight, the daytime-usage slider defaults high. Indicative only, not a quote.
Indicative estimate
- Recommended system
- 120 kWp
- Annual saving
- £31,920
- Simple payback
- 3.0 years
- Year-one tax relief (AIA)
- £24,000
- CO₂ saved
- 23.6 t/yr
- 25-year saving
- £798,000
Assumptions: ~950 kWh per kWp per year (UK average), fabrication install cost ~£800 per kWp, exported units at a 12p Smart Export Guarantee rate, Annual Investment Allowance relief at 25% corporation tax. Solar is special-rate plant, so this reflects AIA rather than full expensing. These are illustrative defaults; your figures depend on roof, shading, load profile, tariff and tax position. This tool does not store any data you enter.
Calculator FAQs
How accurate is this calculator?
It gives an indicative estimate from standard UK assumptions: roughly 950 kWh generated per kWp per year, a fabrication install cost near £800 per kWp, and a 12p Smart Export Guarantee rate for exported units. Your real figures depend on your roof, orientation, shading, load profile and tariff. For a precise figure we model your half-hourly meter data.
What is self-consumption and why does it matter?
Self-consumption is the share of solar you use on site rather than export. On-site use saves the full electricity price, while exported units earn only the lower Smart Export Guarantee rate, so a higher daytime load means a shorter payback. Because a single-shift fabrication shop runs Monday to Friday in daylight hours, its daytime share is typically 70 to 90 percent, which is why the slider defaults high.
Does the estimate include tax relief?
Yes. Commercial solar usually qualifies as plant and machinery, so we show indicative year-one Annual Investment Allowance relief at the 25% corporation tax rate. Your actual eligibility depends on your tax position and profits.
Is this a quote?
No. It is an indicative estimate to help you scope the opportunity. A real proposal needs your meter data, a roof assessment and a grid check, all of which we provide free as part of a feasibility study.