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 grant programmes (Welsh Government Energy Efficiency Loan, Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund). 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. We 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?
Free desk-based feasibility within 7 working days. Modelled against your actual half-hourly meter data, not industry averages.
Get a Free Comparison