Manufacturing has always been an energy-intensive game. But the way the sector is approaching that reality is shifting, and the businesses driving that change aren't doing it purely for sustainability reasons. The numbers stack up, too.
As manufacturing energy costs rise, manufacturers are rethinking energy. We’re currently delivering more than 1.67MWp of commercial solar installations across three major manufacturing facilities, spanning chemical production, precision engineering and industrial manufacturing. Between them, these systems are forecast to generate almost 1.45 million kWh of renewable electricity every year, cutting carbon emissions by around 275 tonnes annually.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
The conversation has changed
A few years ago, the businesses coming to us about solar were largely driven by sustainability targets. ESG commitments, carbon reduction pledges, the desire to be seen doing the right thing. Those things still matter, but they’re no longer the whole picture.
Today, the conversations we’re having are increasingly led by MDs and FDs. People asking hard questions about energy costs, grid exposure and what their operating expenses look like in five years’ time. Solar has become a resilience play as much as a green one.
The broader market backs this up. Government data shows more than 27,000 solar installations were completed in March 2026 alone, the highest monthly figure in over a decade. That kind of growth reflects a fundamental change in how organisations are approaching energy.
Three sites, three sectors, one pattern
Our project for a chemical manufacturer based in Stoke-on-trent involved a 419kWp rooftop installation, delivered within a complex operational environment that required extensive health and safety planning, insurer engagement and fire compliance measures alongside the technical work.
For industrial manufacturer, we installed an 821kWp system forecast to generate around 679,000kWh annually, with approximately 87 per cent expected to be used within operations rather than exported to the grid.
At a local CNC factory in Lancashire, we’re currently on site delivering a 437kWp system forecast to generate more than 400,000kWh per year, with the majority consumed directly on-site. For a precision engineering manufacturer running energy-intensive processes through the day, that direct offset is where the financial case is made.
That last point is worth dwelling on. On-site consumption is where commercial solar delivers its strongest return. Businesses that can align their daytime energy demand with their solar generation avoid the grid entirely for a significant portion of their usage, insulating themselves from price volatility and reducing dependency on external energy markets.
Why manufacturers are rethinking energy
Manufacturing is consistently one of the strongest sectors for commercial solar adoption, and it’s easy to understand why. High daytime electricity consumption, energy-intensive processes and large rooftop areas well-suited to solar generation create near-ideal conditions for a strong business case.
Add in the current energy market environment and the long-term direction of travel on carbon reduction, and the question for many manufacturers is no longer whether solar makes sense, but when and how to move.
Looking ahead
We expect demand across the manufacturing sector to continue growing as businesses look to embed renewable energy into wider energy management and operational resilience strategies, treating it as a long-term infrastructure investment rather than a one-off sustainability initiative.
If your business is at the point of reviewing its energy position, we’d welcome the conversation.
