You’ve run the numbers, and know the extra profits for your factory are real.

Now you’re wondering…

“How long will it actually take to get solar panels on my roof ?”

The answer: it can be as little as 30 days from order to installed system.

✅ Day 1 – 3: Quick Qualification Call

It all starts with a 15 – 30 minute discovery call with your solar provider.

During this call, they’ll ask:

❓You to provide the last 12-month electric bills with half hourly data

❓You to confirm the building location and roof size – through Google Earth

❓Whether you own or lease the building

❓Whether you’d prefer to pay cash, use cash positive asset finance or rent the system

❓Approval to check local electric grid connection capacity

✅ Day 3–7: Site Survey and System Design

Next, your provider will schedule a site survey to:

🔍 Measure roof condition and orientation

🔍 Check for shading or structural issues

🔍 Review your electrical setup

🔍 Gather data for exact system sizing and positioning

Shortly after, you’ll receive a final and detailed system proposal showing:

1. Expected energy savings

2. Cash flow projections

3. Cash, finance or rental terms

4. Estimated CO₂ savings (for ESG reporting)

This proposal shows you exactly how much you’ll save and when.

✅ Day 7–14: Finance / Rental Approval

For most established UK businesses, approval is quick and simple, based on:

❓Last 1–2 years of accounts

❓Proof of trading history

❓Consent from landlord (if applicable)

Finance approval can often be completed in a few days, but rental will take longer.

✅ Day 14–21: Planning, DNO Application & Logistics

While finance is being finalised, your installer handles all the logistics:

✅ Planning permission (if required — often it’s not)

✅ DNO approval (connecting to the grid)

✅ System ordering and delivery

✅ Installation scheduling

This is done behind the scenes — your team can continue focusing on operations.

Important: the ‘approval to connect to the grid’ is the one caveat to achieving this timeline, as in some cases approval to install by your distribution network operator (DNO) can take up to 3-month.

✅ Day 21–30: Installation & Commissioning

A typical solar installation on a factory takes 5 – 10 days, depending on system size and roof type.

There’s minimal disruption – most work is carried out on the roof, with internal works usually taking a day or two.

Example 5-year asset finance:

✅ Monthly electricity spend: £25,000

✅ Solar saving (70%): £17,500/month

✅ Asset finance repayment: ~£13,000/month

✅ 5-year cash gain: +£4,500/month

✅ Net gain after year 5: +£17,500/month

Example rental agreement:

✅ Monthly electricity spend: £25,000

✅ Solar saving (70%): £17,500/month

✅ Monthly rental payment: £7,500

✅ 25- year cash gain: +£10,000/month

That’s extra profit — starting now, not months down the line.

Final thoughts…

So the answer to your original question – how long with it take to get solar panels on my roof – is quick.

With no major disruption and no capital outlay.

Just a smart, fast turnaround from enquiry to energy independence and increased profits.