The UK hospitality industry – from busy high-street restaurants to boutique hotels and charming bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) – faces ever-rising energy bills for heating, lighting, hot water, and guest amenities. Those costs can quickly eat into profits, especially during peak tourist seasons.
At Commercial Solar Company, we help hospitality businesses take control of their energy future with advanced solar panel systems and energy-efficient heat pumps. Our solutions cut operating costs, reduce carbon emissions, and attract eco-conscious guests looking for sustainable accommodation.
This guide explores how our solar panel installations for business can transform your hospitality property. You’ll learn about benefits, grant funding options, and typical system sizes and costs available in the UK as of October 2025.
Powering Hotels and Eco-Friendly B&Bs with Solar Panels
Hotels and B&Bs operate almost 24/7, and energy costs for lighting, heating, ventilation, and catering equipment can be substantial. Installing solar panels allows you to generate clean electricity onsite, powering:
Guest room lighting and electronics
HVAC systems and hot water generation
Commercial kitchens and refrigeration units
Our Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)-approved engineers conduct a full site survey – whether it’s a hotel rooftop or spare land by your B&B – to design a system that maximises output and avoids shading or structural limitations.
We typically recommend:
50kW systems for mid-sized hotels – ideal for properties with large common areas and multiple guest floors.
10–20kW systems for B&Bs – perfect for smaller properties wanting to market themselves as eco-friendly destinations.
Installation, including high-efficiency photovoltaic panels, inverters, and grid connection, is usually completed in 1–2 weeks. With our advanced battery storage systems, you can store surplus energy for night-time use, increasing efficiency and cutting reliance on the grid.
Installation Costs
Smaller B&B system – from £20,000
50kW hotel system – from £50,000
These investments often pay for themselves within years due to reduced energy bills and increased guest bookings from sustainability-minded travellers.
Heat Pumps for Efficient Heating and Hot Water
Pairing solar power with heat pumps creates the ultimate low-carbon energy solution for hospitality businesses. Our MCS-certified partners install:
Air-source heat pumps – quick to install (1–2 weeks) and ideal for moderate heating needs.
Ground-source heat pumps – higher efficiency but longer installation timelines due to excavation.
Hotels with large heating demands for guest rooms, pools, or spa facilities typically need systems around 100kW. Smaller B&Bs often opt for 10–20kW heat pumps to create a cosy, sustainable environment.
Estimated costs:
Air-source heat pumps – £25,000–£40,000
Ground-source heat pumps – £50,000+
Combined with solar, heat pumps greatly reduce electricity costs, allowing hospitality operators to move toward net-zero operations.
Restaurants & Renewables
Restaurants can also benefit significantly from installing solar panels and heat pumps. By mounting panels on rooftops, canopies, or awnings, you can generate electricity for kitchen appliances, refrigeration, and lighting. Medium-sized restaurants often save £500–£1,500 annually on power bills – and more with battery storage.
Air-source heat pumps can cut heating and hot water costs by 20–40% over gas boilers. When combined with LED lighting, smart thermostats, and other energy efficiency upgrades, restaurants can lower consumption even further.
Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can earn up to 15p/kWh for surplus energy sold back to the grid, generating £100–£500 in extra annual revenue.
Unrivalled Benefits for Hospitality
Our systems deliver measurable benefits:
Hotels – A 50kW solar system generates ~45,000 kWh/year, saving £6,000–£10,000 annually. Heat pumps add £5,000–£15,000 in heating savings.
B&Bs – A 15kW solar array can save £2,000–£4,000 per year, while heat pumps save £1,500–£5,000.
Environmental impact – Solar can cut CO₂ emissions by 10–15 tonnes/year for hotels and 3–5 tonnes for B&Bs. Heat pumps reduce emissions by up to 70% compared to gas boilers.
These reductions not only meet the UK’s net-zero targets but also enhance your reputation. Many clients secure certifications such as Green Tourism – a powerful marketing tool for attracting environmentally conscious guests.
Grants and Incentives for Hospitality Businesses
The UK offers generous financial support to encourage renewable adoption:
Solar grants for businesses – Various national and local schemes to offset installation costs.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – Grants up to £7,500 for heat pumps, cutting upfront costs by 20–30%.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) – Earn £500–£1,500/year for excess electricity exported.
Business Energy Investment Tax Relief – Capital allowances to lower tax bills on renewable investments.
Local authority funds – Such as Greater London Authority support covering 10–50% of project costs.
Carbon Trust loans – Spread payments over 5–10 years without crippling cash flow.
Our team helps hospitality operators navigate and apply for all relevant funding, ensuring maximum benefit from available schemes.
Start Your Sustainable Hospitality Business
Take Control of Your Energy Future
Whether you run a chic London hotel, a countryside B&B, or a bustling city restaurant, now is the time to embrace renewable energy. With Commercial Solar Company, you gain a trusted partner to design, install, and maintain a system that delivers tangible savings, long-term resilience, and greener operations.
Discover how much your hospitality business could save today – contact us to arrange a free consultation.
