Commercial solar finance in Crawley

Local sectors of strategic interest

Crawley sits within the broader West Sussex commercial economy. Aviation cluster around Gatwick. Manor Royal BID at Crawley (UK's largest single-tenant business district). Tourism.

For commercial solar finance specifically, Crawley's sector mix means: continuous-process operators (food production, refrigeration, advanced manufacturing) typically achieve 85–95% self-consumption with strong year-round economics; daytime-heavy operators (offices, retail, schools) typically run 75–85% self-consumption; and seasonal operators (some hospitality, education) need careful sizing against half-hourly demand profile to avoid over-deployment. We model the optimal size for each project type against actual demand data, not headline annual consumption.

Transport and infrastructure context

A23/M23 to Gatwick/London, A27 east-west. Gatwick Airport adjacent. Shoreham port.

Council climate strategy and net zero framework

Crawley climate framework: Crawley Borough Council Net Zero. Manor Royal BID Decarbonisation. Greater Brighton Economic Board cross-borough programmes.

Key industrial estates and commercial zones: Manor Royal (UK's largest single-tenant business district — 4,500 employees, 200+ businesses), Gatwick Airport, Manor Royal North.

For commercial solar finance applications in Crawley, the council's climate strategy framework matters in two practical ways: (1) public-sector property within the framework typically has accelerated PSDS or council-led capital pathways available; and (2) private-sector property within designated regeneration zones, Investment Zones, or industrial cluster footprints sometimes accesses regional capital allowance enhancements or grant-funding routes that aren't available outside those designations. We map the eligibility for any specific project as part of advisory engagement.