Pricing
Transparent fixed-fee advisory engagement. No commissions from manufacturers, installers, or lenders. No success-fee structures. Initial finance review free; subsequent engagement at agreed fixed fee.
Why fixed-fee advisory
Commercial solar finance advisory is a small market with several different fee models — installer-funded "free" advice, lender-funded broker fees, success-based percentages, and fixed-fee advisory. We chose fixed-fee because it removes the structural conflict-of-interest in recommending one finance structure over another. A lender-funded broker is paid to place lender debt; an installer-funded advisor is paid to sell systems; a success-fee advisor is paid when projects close. Fixed-fee advisors are paid for the work whether the project closes or not — which keeps our incentive aligned with recommending the right structure for your specific situation, including recommending you don't do the project at all where economics don't support it.
Engagement tiers and fees
SME-scale advisory
£4k–£8kProjects under £200k capex; single-site businesses; sub-100kWp systems
Discovery, demand modelling, multi-structure financial comparison, structure recommendation, lender/PPA process where applicable, procurement support through commissioning, capital allowance documentation. Typical engagement timeline 4–6 months.
Mid-market advisory
£8k–£18kProjects £200k–£1m capex; mid-market commercial; 100kWp–500kWp systems
All SME-scale deliverables plus: half-hourly demand modelling with multi-size sensitivity analysis, competitive lender process across full panel, full procurement competitive tender, structured payment terms negotiation. Typical engagement timeline 6–9 months.
Large / portfolio advisory
£18k–£35kProjects £1m+ capex; multi-site portfolios; 500kWp+ systems; complex tax positions
All mid-market deliverables plus: full FYA/AIA/special-rate-pool optimisation across the portfolio, multi-site DNO strategy, blended capital structures (cash + debt + lease), and engagement with the customer's tax adviser on capital allowance optimisation. Typical engagement timeline 9–18 months.
Modelling-only
£3k–£12kFinancial modelling without procurement/lender process
Discovery, demand modelling, multi-structure comparison, recommendation. No lender process, no procurement support. Suits businesses with established procurement capability or pre-engagement assessment of project viability. Typical engagement timeline 2–4 weeks.
Public-sector / charity engagements
Per-project quotePSDS-eligible bodies, NHS Trusts, schools and academies, charities
Engagement scoped to the specific public-sector procurement context. Typical fees lower-band of equivalent commercial scale to reflect different commercial dynamics. Often combined with PSDS application support and Salix loan facility structuring.
What's included in every engagement
- Discovery and demand modelling using your half-hourly data
- Side-by-side after-tax comparison across all 6+ finance structures including battery storage where relevant
- Worked-numbers indicative case within 5 working days of enquiry
- Full audit trail of analysis, assumptions, and sensitivity scenarios
- Structure recommendation in writing with explicit justification
- Engagement letter with fees, scope, and deliverables agreed before any chargeable work begins
What's not included
- Tax advice — we work alongside your accountant who provides formal tax advice on capital allowance treatment
- Legal advice — your solicitor reviews contracts and lease provisions
- Insurance arrangement — we provide reference but procurement and arrangement is via your insurance broker
- Direct DNO engagement — we work alongside the installer's DNO consultant
- Implementation oversight beyond initial commissioning — long-term O&M monitoring is via the installer's O&M contract
Pricing FAQs
How are advisory fees structured?
Why fixed-fee rather than success-fee?
Do you accept commissions from lenders, manufacturers, or installers?
What does the engagement deliver?
Can we engage you just for the financial modelling?
How long does an engagement take?
Commercial solar finance: typical pricing guide 2025
Commercial solar finance pricing depends on your chosen product type, system size, credit profile, and negotiation. This guide provides transparent benchmarks for every product category to help you assess whether the quotes you receive are competitive.
Green loan pricing benchmarks
| Loan size | APR range (2025) | Total interest (7yr term) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000–100,000 | 7–9% | £18,000–40,000 | SME; unsecured; standard credit |
| £100,000–250,000 | 6–8% | £34,000–110,000 | Mid-market; green credentials help |
| £250,000–500,000 | 5.5–7.5% | £75,000–206,000 | Scale discount; relationship lending |
| £500,000–2m | 5–7% | £137,000–770,000 | UKIB-backed tranches available |
| £2m+ | 4.5–6.5% | Best available | Strategic; direct UKIB/institutional |
Asset finance (HP) pricing benchmarks
| Facility size | APR range | Term | Deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000–100,000 | 5.5–8% | 3–5 years | 10–20% | Siemens/Propel/Close Brothers |
| £100,000–500,000 | 4.5–7% | 5–7 years | 10–15% | Multiple lenders competing |
| £500,000–2m | 4–6% | 5–7 years | 5–10% | Institutional HP; best rates |
| £2m+ | 3.5–5.5% | 7–10 years | 5–10% | ECA/BNP/Lombard major deals |
PPA pricing benchmarks 2025
| System size | Typical PPA rate | Grid tariff saving | Escalation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50–200kWp | £0.09–0.12/kWh | 10–15% below grid | RPI/CPI | SME commercial; competitive market |
| 200–500kWp | £0.08–0.10/kWh | 15–22% below grid | RPI/CPI | Mid-market; 3 developers competing |
| 500kWp–2MWp | £0.07–0.09/kWh | 20–28% below grid | RPI/CPI | Premium developers; 4–5 competing |
| 2MWp+ | £0.06–0.08/kWh | 25–35% below grid | RPI/CPI | Utility-scale; major developers |
What drives pricing variation
Your credit profile
Strong credit = lower PPA rate (developer is more confident in counterparty) and lower loan rate. Companies with 5+ years profitable trading, low debt, and strong revenue growth get best pricing across all products.
System size
Larger systems achieve lower per-kWp and per-kWh pricing in every category. A 500kWp installation consistently achieves 10–15% lower per-unit costs than a 100kWp installation across installers, lenders, and developers.
Competition
Always get 3+ quotes. Price variation of 20–30% between providers is common. Running a competitive process is the single most effective way to improve pricing in every product category.
Market conditions
Solar panel prices have fallen 85% since 2010 and continue to decline. Grid electricity prices are volatile. Both affect PPA economics. Green loan rates track Bank of England base rate movements — currently relatively elevated but expected to ease.
Total cost of finance comparison
| Finance route | Upfront cost (100kWp) | Total finance cost over 7yr | Net cost after AIA (25%) | 20yr total benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash purchase | £88,000 | £0 | £66,000 (after AIA) | ~£475,000 |
| Green loan (7%, 7yr) | £0 | £30,000 interest | £66,000 (AIA in yr1) | ~£445,000 |
| Asset finance (5.5%, 5yr, 10% dep) | £8,800 | £21,500 interest | £66,000 (AIA from install) | ~£453,000 |
| PPA (£0.09/kWh, 20yr) | £0 | £0 | £0 (no asset, no AIA) | ~£290,000 |
The figures confirm that ownership structures (cash, green loan, HP) consistently outperform PPA by £150,000–185,000 over 20 years on a 100kWp system. The finance cost of borrowing (£20,000–30,000) is far outweighed by the additional long-term benefits of ownership (AIA, SEG income, full energy saving, asset value).
Initial finance review is free
Send postcode, project profile, and accounting year-end via the contact form. We respond within one working day. Indicative finance review provided at no cost; subsequent engagement at agreed fixed fee per the bands above.
Request a finance review