Commercial electricity bills suck

Let’s be honest, commercial electricity bills suck. Here’s why smart businesses are doing something about it.

They keep rising, they’re unpredictable, and they drain profit margins every single month. Yet thousands of Northern Ireland businesses are still paying over the odds for power that could easily come from their own roof.

If that sounds like your company, it’s time to face a simple truth:

Every month you don’t have solar is a month you’re losing money.

Solar isn’t an expense, it’s an investment

Many business owners still see solar as a “green” choice. In reality, it’s a very smart financial decision.

Most commercial solar installations pay for themselves in under five years. After that, every kilowatt-hour your system generates is essentially free electricity. Pure profit that can be used across your business year after year.

With a 25-year performance guarantee, that’s two decades of return on investment long after your system has already paid for itself.

Real results: Wilson Salt

Take Wilson Salt, a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s salt processing industry since 1922. In 2024, they partnered with Solarfix to install a 300 kW solar system including 535 high-efficiency panels and three inverters.

The results speak for themselves:

• Self-sufficiency: 25% of their operations now powered by solar

• Carbon savings: 28,412 kg annually; projected 700,000 kg over 25 years

• Operational impact: installed seamlessly with no disruption to daily production

This system also sets Wilson Salt up for future integration of battery storage and EV charging, further reducing grid dependency and costs. It’s a clear example of how commercial solar pays back, and keeps paying back, for years to come.

Real results: Kent Amusements

Kent Amusements, a family-run leisure business in Newcastle, Co. Down, installed a 73.8 kW solar system with 164 panels and a 60 kW Solis inverter.

The results? Immediate and impressive:

• Annual generation: 57,000 kWh

• First-year savings: £17,100 on electricity costs

• Carbon savings: over 115 tons to date

All of this was achieved without disrupting daily operations. The installation was carefully planned around off-peak hours, with rigorous health and safety measures, ensuring the amusement centre continued running smoothly.

Kent Amusements’ system is also future-ready, it can easily accommodate battery storage or EV chargers, allowing even greater savings and control over energy use down the line.

Real results: John Barr Cars

John Barr Cars, a prominent Northern Ireland automotive dealership, installed a 15 kW solar system consisting of 33 panels and a SolarEdge inverter.

• Energy generated (15 months): 18,000 kWh

• First-year savings: approx. £6,000

• Carbon savings: 4,140 kg to date; projected 66,240 kg over the 25-year warranty

The installation preserved the dealership’s polished appearance and had minimal operational disruption.

John Barr Cars also integrated a My Energi Zappi EV charger, with future potential for battery storage or an immersion heater controller to maximize self-consumption and savings.

This project demonstrates how even smaller commercial sites can see significant ROI and environmental impact from solar.

Rising energy costs are eating into your profit

Electricity prices are volatile. Every time the market shifts, your operating costs rise and there’s nothing you can do about it… unless you generate your own power.

By installing solar, your business can:

• Fix your energy costs for the long term

• Protect against future price hikes

• Reduce dependency on suppliers who can change rates overnight

Imagine what your bottom line would look like if your electricity bill dropped by 60% or more. That’s the reality for commercial sites that have already made the switch.

The numbers don’t lie

Metric	Typical Result
Payback Period	Under 5 years
System Lifetime	25 years+
Annual ROI	15–20% average
Energy Bill Reduction	Up to 70%

Even a conservative estimate makes one thing clear, solar isn’t a luxury. It’s a business essential.

Smart businesses think long-term

The smartest business leaders aren’t waiting for prices to rise again, they’re locking in control now.

Choosing solar today means:

• Lower operating costs

• Predictable overheads

• A tangible asset that increases property value

• The reputational benefits of sustainability — without the PR fluff

In five years, businesses that didn’t act will still be paying inflated bills. Those that did, like Wilson Salt, Kent Amusements, and John Barr Cars, are already seeing real financial and environmental returns.

If you still think solar isn’t worth it – you haven’t done the maths

“Commercial electricity bills suck.” But staying stuck with them when there’s a proven, profitable alternative? That’s just bad business.

Solar is no longer the future, it’s the financially responsible choice for today.

So, if your business is still renting its power from the grid, ask yourself one question:

How much longer are you willing to pay for something you could own?