Getting Started With
Commercial Solar

Learn more about what you need to do to integrate solar energy into your business.

Commercial Beginners guide to solar energy

Beginning Your Solar Journey

Who Are Shawton Energy?

Shawton Energy, part of the Shawton Group founded in 1986, is a family-run business with a strong reputation in the energy sector. Our experienced team delivers renewable energy, project management, and strategic expertise to support projects of all sizes.

We help businesses reduce costs and improve sustainability through funded, zero-capex solar solutions and flexible financing, lowering reliance on the grid and protecting against rising energy prices.

Shawton Energy is owned by AMPYR Distributed Energy (ADE), a rapidly growing UK onsite renewables company that funds, owns, and operates renewable energy assets for businesses. ADE is part of the AGP Group, a global investor and asset manager focused on sustainable real assets across energy, digital infrastructure, and real estate.

Talk To Us

Why Choose Us?

Sustainability Expertise

We specialise in commercial solar and sustainable energy solutions, helping your business move confidently toward net-zero.

Enabled by Technology

Smart monitoring and data-driven optimisation ensure full transparency through an easy-to-use online portal.

Integrated In-House Delivery

We manage every stage internally, from site analysis to maintenance, providing a smooth, non-disruptive installation.

Installation & Engineering

Our accredited engineering teams install and manage high-performing systems to ensure maximum energy generation.

Solar For Your Business

What To Consider Before You Go Solar

For many organisations, the opportunity to generate renewable electricity on site is clear. Knowing where to start can be less straightforward.

A commercial solar project can involve teams across property, finance, operations, procurement and sustainability, with several technical and commercial considerations to work through before a project can progress.

You don’t need to have all the answers from day one. Understanding a few fundamentals can make the process considerably easier.

Here are five things worth considering at the outset.

Understand Your Energy Use

Gather around 12 months of electricity bills and half-hourly consumption data to understand how and when your organisation uses electricity, helping assess the potential benefits of solar.

Understand Your Site

Consider available roof or land space, whether you own or lease the property, how long you expect to remain there, and any planned refurbishments or known structural or operational constraints.

Consider Your Funding Options

Explore the ways to fund a solar project, including direct investment, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or asset finance. Your organisation’s priorities and appetite for ownership can guide the decision.

Bring The Right People Into The Conversation

Involve key stakeholders across finance, property, operations and sustainability early on. This helps identify priorities, address concerns and build a stronger internal case for progressing the project.

Identify Potential Barriers Early

Consider roof condition, structural capacity, grid constraints, lease length and future site plans. Identifying these early can help establish feasibility and prioritise the most suitable sites for investment.