Solar Energy For
Retail

Solar energy solutions for businesses in the retail sector

Solar Energy For retail Outlets

Powering Retail Growth

For retailers, energy is a significant operating cost across stores, larger-format sites, warehouses and supporting facilities.

Lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration, technology and increasingly EV charging all contribute to electricity demand, while businesses continue to face pressure on margins and greater expectations around environmental performance.

For organisations operating multiple locations, those challenges are multiplied across the estate.

Renewable energy provides an opportunity to reduce reliance on grid electricity, gain greater control over long-term energy costs and make measurable progress towards carbon reduction targets.

Shawton Energy works with retailers across the UK to develop and deliver renewable energy solutions for individual sites and complex multi-site estates.

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Why Choose Solar?

Large Rooftop Potential

Stores, retail units and distribution facilities can offer extensive roof space for on-site solar generation.

High Energy Demand

Daytime trading and operations create strong opportunities to use renewable electricity directly on site.

Site-Specific Potential

Building condition, energy use, lease arrangements and grid capacity all influence what is viable at each location.

Estate-Wide Opportunity

For larger retailers, suitable sites can be assessed together to create a coordinated renewable energy strategy.

Benefits Of Solar Energy In Retail

Reducing Costs Without Significant Capital Investment

Retail businesses continually need to invest in stores, people, technology, stock and customer experience.

Renewable energy does not necessarily need to compete for that capital.

Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Shawton Energy can design, deliver, own and operate the solar installation, while the retailer purchases the renewable electricity generated at an agreed rate.

This provides access to lower-cost renewable power without significant upfront capital expenditure, while ongoing operation and maintenance remain with Shawton.

As part of AMPYR Distributed Energy, Shawton combines specialist renewable energy development and delivery with long-term infrastructure ownership and funding capability.

No upfront costs

The solar PV system is installed and funded by Shawton Energy, so you do not need to make a large initial capital investment.

Stable energy costs

A power purchase agreement gives you greater certainty over electricity pricing across the contract period.

Lower electricity bills

Electricity generated on site from solar PV is often cheaper than grid electricity in the UK, leading to immediate savings on your energy bills.

No maintenance responsibility

Shawton Energy typically handles installation, monitoring, and maintenance, so you benefit from solar power without the operational burden.

Not every retailer needs to begin with an estate-wide rollout.

For some organisations, the right starting point may be a single, high-consuming location, or a small group of sites where the commercial case is the strongest.

Those initial projects can then provide a foundation for wider development.

For others, there may already be enough portfolio data to begin assessing the entire estate, and developing a longer-term programme from outset.

What Shapes the approach?

Energy Use

Site Suitability

Portfolio Data

Shawton Energy can support both approaches, helping retailers move from initial feasibility, through to larger-scale implementation as their energy strategy develops.

Owned Vs Leased

Retail estates often combine freehold and leasehold properties, with different landlords and lease arrangements.

These structures don’t necessarily prevent solar deployment, but they need to be considered from the outset.

Retailers & Occupiers

Accessing lower-cost renewable electricity while supporting wider sustainability goals.

Landlords & Asset Owners

Improving the sustainability, value and long-term performance of retail assets.

Property Managers

Coordinating stakeholders and establishing the right structure for each site.

Lease Arrangements

Assessing ownership structures across the estate to prioritise the strongest sites.

Portfolio Strategy

Assessing ownership structures across the estate to prioritise the strongest sites.

Our Process

01

Scope

We begin by thoroughly understanding your business needs, future energy goals, available roof or ground space, and site layout. This helps us design the most effective solar solutions tailored to your specific situation. If any repair work is required before installation, we offer a range of solutions to ensure your site is fully prepared for optimal solar performance.

02

Design

We develop and present an optimal solar panel design tailored for your business. Our goal is to deliver significant cost savings while ensuring the design aligns with your carbon reduction commitments. By understanding your unique energy needs and sustainability objectives, we create a solar solution that maximises efficiency and supports your long-term environmental goals.

03

Sign-Off

We facilitate the agreement and sign-off process for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and lease agreements. This ensures that all terms are clearly defined and mutually agreed upon, providing a solid foundation for your solar project. These agreements outline the financial and operational aspects of your solar installation, ensuring transparency and alignment with your business objectives.

04

Install

We understand that retail sites require careful planning to minimise disruption to staff and customers..

Our engineering teams work around production schedules, health and safety requirements, shift patterns, and operational priorities to deliver safe, efficient renewable energy installations while ensuring your location can remain fully operational throughout the project lifecycle.

05

Maintain

Under a PPA, we provide real-time management of your solar energy generation and supply, ensuring optimal performance at all times. Our team is dedicated to maintaining your equipment through regular servicing and prompt repairs, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency. This proactive approach ensures that your solar system operates smoothly and reliably, supporting your business’s energy needs.

Trusted by leading brands:

Case Studies

Iceland & The Food Warehouse Solar PV Multi-Site Roll Out

Shawton Energy is delivering a multi-site solar programme across the Iceland Foods estate, encompassing both Iceland and The Food Warehouse locations.

With close to 1,000 stores across the UK, the estate represents a significant opportunity to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions through renewable generation.

Shawton was selected to support a phased rollout across suitable locations, with the wider programme expected to deliver up to approximately 10MWp of solar capacity.

The programme demonstrates how a large retail estate can be assessed, prioritised and delivered through a structured rollout rather than treating each store as an isolated project. As well as Shawton Energy’s ability to coordinate renewable energy delivery across multiple live retail locations while maintaining consistent standards throughout the programme.

Fully Funded, Turn-Key Long Term Solutions

Whether you operate a single large retail location or an estate spanning hundreds of sites, your buildings could provide a significant opportunity to generate renewable electricity.

If you are exploring ways to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability performance, or strengthen your long-term energy strategy, we would be happy to discuss the opportunities available.

Get in touch with the Shawton Energy team to arrange an initial discussion and feasibility assessment.

Contact us at;

hello@shawtonenergy.co.uk

+44 (0) 1925 794874

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