17 July 2025
With energy costs across Europe continuing to fluctuate, the conversation for many businesses about how they run their operations has intensified.
What started as a conversation around addressing sustainability has quickly turned into a financial one for many. Solar panels, once seen simply as a forward-thinking "nice to have," are now being viewed quite differently. Thanks to new incentives, lower upfront costs, and better long-term savings, investing in solar is making real sense for businesses.
A few years ago, installing solar panels on a commercial building might have felt like a bold statement. But today, it’s becoming far more practical, and in some cases, a no-brainer. The price of equipment has dropped, installation is quicker, and the benefits are more widely recognised.
When you can generate a portion of your electricity on site, that’s energy you’re not buying from the grid. It might not feel like a huge amount in the first month, but over a few years, those savings start to add up.
These benefits are also before you factor in government incentives and tax breaks, which have been moving in a positive direction recently.
Despite broad similarities, the solar landscape doesn’t look the same everywhere, so how does the financial picture differ in the UK from its European counterparts?
United Kingdom
In the UK, businesses that install solar panels are entitled to benefits from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This guarantee allows you to sell any extra electricity your system generates back to the grid. Different energy suppliers offer different rates, but either way, it means your system is working for you, even if you are not using all the power.
There are also VAT reductions on solar equipment, and in some regions of the UK you may be able to take advantage of local grants, especially if you’re a SME business looking to lower carbon emissions.
France
In France, the solar panel discussion is also picking up pace. Companies can benefit from feed-in tariffs, where the government pays for any surplus electricity they export back into the grid. There’s also the CITE (a tax credit scheme) which offsets part of the installation cost for renewable upgrades, including solar.
Some businesses may be entitled to even more support if they choose to install solar systems built within the EU. Each incentive is part of France’s push to support both sustainability and local manufacturing.
Germany
Germany has been a leader in solar energy for quite some time, and their impressive stance is not slowing down. The EEG law (Renewable Energy Act) means businesses can lock in attractive rates for excess electricity. And, if you’re mainly consuming your own solar power onsite, also known as “self-consumption”, you’ll cut down your reliance on the grid and reduce your energy bills.
There’s also a growing trend of energy-sharing communities, where companies share solar power between buildings or even with neighbours. From a tax perspective, accelerated depreciation helps companies write off the cost of their system at an even quicker rate.
The best returns come when the system is properly sized and tailored to your energy requirements. That could mean including battery storage, adjusting your energy use patterns, or even coordinating installation around other renovations.
Between navigating the grants, permits, and incentives, it can all feel a little overwhelming if you are approaching it alone, but there are many resources out there to help guide you along your journey. You can also get in touch with the SEFE Energy team if you would like to explore your energy needs in more detail.
Is Solar Panel Investment Worth It?
From a numbers-only perspective, investing in your solar panel infrastructure can be a smart move. The costs have been reduced making it more widely affordable, support from governments is increasing, and energy prices aren’t showing signs of steadying anytime soon.
But beyond that, it’s also about resilience. Knowing that a portion of your electricity is coming from a system you own yourself is a decisive shift in control. It helps with budgeting, planning, and showing clients and customers that your business is serious about long-term sustainability and its impact in relation to carbon footprint.