CONTACT US
Share: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn I recommend visiting cushmanwakefield.com to read:%0A%0A {0} %0A%0A {1}
25056_Solar Solutions_Web Card (SMALL) 750x456px.png 25056_Solar Solutions_Web Card (LARGE) 2352x720px.png

INSIGHTS

Solar Solutions

Cushman & Wakefield’s study explores rooftop solar potential in UK logistics, key adoption drivers, barriers, financial returns, and policy solutions.

Download the report

OVERVIEW

Solar Solutions is Cushman & Wakefield’s in-depth research into the attitudes of UK Logistics & Industrial real estate stakeholders regarding the installation and operation of roof-mounted Solar PV systems. This unique study quantifies the vast, untapped potential of rooftop solar across the UK’s L&I property stock and explores the diverse motivations driving solar adoption. It also identifies the key barriers to implementation, including grid connectivity issues, high upfront costs, retrofitting limitations, and legal or operational complexities that hinder widespread deployment.

The research further evaluates the financial viability of Solar PV, modelling returns across various building sizes and occupier energy profiles and examines how solar energy is being monetised. It benchmarks current industry practices and outlines Cushman & Wakefield’s three key policy recommendations to accelerate adoption. Drawing on primary market research data, this report offers a comprehensive and actionable perspective on the future of solar energy in the UK’s logistics and industrial sectors.

Get the report

25056_Solar Solutions_Thumb_Cover.png

Download

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • There is vast untapped potential in Industrial roof space - The UK logistics sector has over 1 billion sq ft of usable roof space, capable of generating up to 36,486 GWh annually through solar PV - potentially contributing £3 billion to the UK economy.
  • Solar PV adoption is growing but inconsistent - While 67% of survey respondents have adopted or are installing solar PV, only 15% have done so across more than half of their portfolios.
  • Grid Connectivity and Costs are Major Barriers - Grid access and high upfront costs are the top challenges cited in our survey, with 85% of grid connection applications currently failing.
  • Bigger, Energy-Intensive Buildings Yield Better Returns - Larger buildings with high energy use can achieve up to 18% IRR and a 5.5-year payback, making them ideal for solar investment.
  • Policy and Industry action is needed to accelerate growth - Clearer incentives, improved grid infrastructure, and mandated solar-ready designs for new builds are key to scaling adoption.

WATCH VIDEO

Solar-Solutions-Banner-2352x1040.jpg Solar-Solutions-Banner-2352x1040.jpg

An introduction to Solar Solutions

Watch Edward Bavister, Head of UK Logistics & Industrial research, highlight the key themes emerging from our Solar Solutions market survey and analysis.

WHY SOLAR SOLUTIONS MATTERS

Whether you're planning new developments or managing existing assets, this report offers actionable guidance to future-proof your real estate strategy. It outlines monetisation models, identifies key barriers such as grid connectivity and retrofitting challenges, and benchmarks best practices from leading occupiers. With policy recommendations and design considerations for solar-ready buildings, Solar Solutions equips you with the insights needed to make informed, sustainable investment decisions.

FAQS

There is over 1 billion sq ft of usable rooftop space on buildings over 50,000 sq ft, with the potential to generate up to 36,486 GWh annually, equivalent to approximately £3 billion in economic value.

Key drivers include decarbonising operations, meeting ESG targets, reducing energy costs, improving building marketability, and complying with planning and environmental regulations.

The top barriers include grid connectivity issues, high upfront costs, retrofitting limitations, legal complexities, and a lack of expertise or guidance on where to start.

Over 82% of survey respondents agree that Solar PV is critical to decarbonising supply chains, offering substantial carbon offset potential, up to 7.5 million tonnes annually when fully scaled.

While challenges remain, the sector is poised for growth. Standardising best practices, improving education, and aligning policy with market needs will be key to unlocking its full potential.

CONTACTS

Richard Evans (London, UK)
Richard Evans

Head of Logistics and Industrial, UK
London, United Kingdom

Download VCard

Patrick-Gifford.jpg
Patrick Gifford

Solar Engineer
London, United Kingdom

Download VCard

ed bavister
Edward Bavister

Associate, Head of Retail, Logistics and Industrial Research
London, United Kingdom

Download VCard

Insight

UK Life Sciences Marketbeat Webcard.jpg
MarketBeat

UK Life Science Marketbeat Report

Access the latest quarterly commercial real estate results for the UK life science sector nationally. MarketBeat reports analyse quarterly market activity including, supply, demand and pricing trends.
Kiran Patel • 23/07/2025
2024_UK_News_Great_Northern_Hotel_webcard
Research

London Hotel Market Spotlight

Access the latest in-depth insights, key trends, and performance of the London hotel real estate market.
Bořivoj Vokřínek • 22/07/2025
Edinburgh Hotel Market Spotlight webcard.jpg
Research

Edinburgh Hotel Market Spotlight

Access the latest in-depth insights, key trends, and performance of the Edinburgh Hotel Market Spotlight.
Bořivoj Vokřínek • 22/07/2025
UK Economy & Housing Marketbeat Reports
MarketBeat

UK Economy & Housing Marketbeat Reports

Access the latest quarterly commercial real estate results for the investment market nationally. MarketBeat reports analyse quarterly market activity including, supply, demand and pricing trends.
Daryl Perry • 17/07/2025
people walking in garden
Article

Trade Shifts: U.S. Investor Demand & Healthcare

The UK care market has attracted ever growing interest and investment from U.S. based investors.
Jack Kelleher • 22/05/2025
Elderly Couple
Article

Elderly Care Home Lease Up

In the elderly care sector, a critical metric for stakeholders is the time required for a care home to move through its build-up (or lease-up) phase and reach mature occupancy.
Jack Kelleher • 04/03/2025
More Insight

NEED COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ADVICE?

Contact our team for the latest on the real estate markets.
CONTACT US
With your permission we and our partners would like to use cookies in order to access and record information and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device to ensure our website performs as expected, to develop and improve our products, and for advertising and insight purposes.

Alternatively click on More Options and select your preferences before providing or refusing consent. Some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

You can change your preferences at any time by returning to this site or clicking on Cookies.
MORE OPTIONS
Agree and Close
These cookies ensure that our website performs as expected,for example website traffic load is balanced across our servers to prevent our website from crashing during particularly high usage.
These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced features. These cookies do not gather any information about you that could be used for advertising or remember where you have been on the internet.
These cookies allow us to work with our marketing partners to understand which ads or links you have clicked on before arriving on our website or to help us make our advertising more relevant to you.
Cookie preferences
Agree All
Reject All
SAVE SETTINGS
Essential
Non Essential
Marketing