Factory Solar vs Wind — Which Is Right for UK Manufacturers?
Solar wins on rooftop economics, wind wins on land-rich rural sites with high mean wind speed.
The decisive factor: do you have suitable land?
Solar PV needs roof or open paved area. Wind needs open rural land with mean wind speed > 6 m/s. For 90% of UK factories — on industrial estates without surrounding open land — the choice is solar by default. Wind is realistic only for rural manufacturing sites with adjacent farmland the operator owns or can lease.
Side-by-side economics
| Factor | Solar PV | Wind |
|---|---|---|
| Capex per kW | £700–£900/kWp | £1,300–£2,200/kW |
| Capacity factor (UK) | 10–12% | 22–38% |
| Land use | Existing roof | 0.5–1 acre per 800 kW turbine + setback |
| Planning route | Permitted Development | Full planning + EIA + community consultation |
| Generation profile | Daytime, peaks summer | All hours, peaks winter |
| Best fit | 90% of UK factories | Rural sites with land |
When wind beats solar
Wind beats solar on three site types: (1) rural food production with adjacent farmland, (2) sites in north-west Scotland, west Wales or coastal Northumberland with mean wind speed > 7 m/s, (3) sites with high winter electricity demand (cold stores, glasshouses). Most UK sites where wind makes sense are also good for combined wind + solar deployment.
Factory Solar vs Wind — Which Is Right for UK Manufacturers? — FAQs
What changes if my factory is in Scotland or Wales?
Mainly DNO connection timelines (faster in Scotland) and regional support (such as the Welsh Government Energy Efficiency Loan; Scotland's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund has closed all its calls). Core economics unchanged.
Is the answer different for a tenant vs owner-occupier?
See our dedicated tenant vs landlord guide for full ownership-model analysis.
How do I get an honest comparison for my specific site?
Submit a quote request with your annual electricity spend and roof type, then ask the installers who respond to model both options against your half-hourly meter data and share the side-by-side NPV/IRR/payback.
Want a side-by-side comparison for your site?
Request matched quotes and ask installers to model the case against your actual half-hourly meter data, not industry averages.
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