Most commercial energy decisions come down to a straightforward question: how do we reduce costs and hit sustainability targets without tying up capital? For rooftop solar, the answer is a Power Purchase Agreement – and it’s simpler than most businesses expect.
UrbanVolt has been building Solar as a Service solutions since 2015. We have delivered more than 400 projects across the UK, Ireland, the USA and eight European markets. Our clients collectively save over 32 million kWh every year – enough to power more than 9,000 households. We specialise in simple Solar PPAs.
What is a solar PPA?
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a contract between your business and UrbanVolt. We finance, design, install and maintain the solar system on your roof. You pay only for the electricity you consume, at a fixed price agreed upfront – typically 30 to 40% below what you currently pay from the grid.
There is no capital outlay, no roof lease, and no minimum take clause with UrbanVolt’s PPA. The only charge is for the electricity you actually consume. The first payment you make is the first monthly electricity charge once the system is live and generating.
No upfront investment. No roof lease. No minimum take. Just a fixed, lower price for the electricity your solar system generates.
UrbanVolt acts as both the energy supplier and the funder, which means you deal with one party throughout. There’s one agreement, and we keep it simple by design.
Two pricing models
We offer two ways to structure your PPA tariff, depending on what matters most to your business.
The Fixed Rate PPA locks your price for the full term of the agreement. As grid electricity prices, your savings increase year on year. This model delivers the strongest total financial benefit over the life of the contract.
The Scaling PPA starts at a lower rate that increases at a fixed percentage each year. This maximises short-term savings and keeps pricing fully predictable throughout. It suits businesses that want to see the strongest returns in the early years of the agreement.
Both models offer complete price transparency for the life of the contract.
How the savings work
The financial case rests on one principle: you pay less per unit of electricity than you would from the grid. With a Fixed Rate PPA, that discount holds firm for the entire term. As grid prices continue to rise, the gap between your PPA rate and the grid rate grows – and so do your savings.
For most commercial and industrial sites, solar typically covers up to 50% of total electricity consumption, depending on roof size, system capacity, and consumption profile. The electricity you generate and use directly on-site is where the savings are greatest.
"My electricity bill for this building, which is 40,000 sq. ft, is less than my electricity bill at home!"
What happens if you’re a tenant or a landlord?
Lease arrangements are one of the most common reasons businesses hesitate on solar. UrbanVolt has structured agreements to make this straightforward for both tenants and landlords.
We require roof access for installation and ongoing maintenance – that is all. There is no roof lease to negotiate. Our contracts run from 10 to 30 years and can be structured to align with existing lease terms, giving both tenant and landlord clarity from day one.
If circumstances change – a property changes hands, a lease is assigned, or a new tenant takes over – the PPA can be transferred. Ownership of the solar array can also be transferred at any point during the agreement or at the end of the term. We work directly with landlords to demonstrate the value solar adds to the asset, including improved EPC ratings.
What the process looks like
We keep the process straightforward. To get started, we need your latest electricity bill and twelve months of interval data. From there:
1
We compile a desktop proposal tailored to your site and consumption profile
2
We coordinate a site visit to assess the electrical setup, roof structure, and civil specifications
3
We produce a detailed firm proposal with system size, generation estimate, tariff, and projected savings
4
Once the agreement is signed, installation begins
The system is monitored in real time through the UrbanVolt app and desktop platform. Generation data, energy production, and environmental impact are all visible in one place. Performance reports can be downloaded in seconds.
Equipment and reliability
Under Solar as a Service, your success is our success. We have a direct financial interest in every system performing to its full potential throughout the contract term. That shapes every decision we make on equipment and installation quality.
We specify only Tier 1 panels – the Bloomberg classification for the most reliable photovoltaic equipment available. All systems use inverters with long warranties and full connectivity. Third-party certification, including ISO TUV MSC auditing, confirms the most ethical sourcing available. Warranties are the longest in the market. Designed service life is at least 30 years.
We use only the best qualified electrical engineers and installation partners. And we handle all maintenance, repairs, and performance monitoring throughout the contract – you do not lift a finger.
Why UrbanVolt
Founded in 2015 with the aim of making sustainability simple, UrbanVolt is Ireland’s leading Solar as a Service provider and is expanding rapidly across the UK. We are backed by Verdane, one of Europe’s leading sustainability-focused investment funds, and by dedicated project financing from HSBC – with €40m ready to deploy into UK solar projects.
We are a certified B-Corp. That means our environmental performance, transparency, and commitment to positive impact are independently verified – not just stated.
"If I could describe UrbanVolt in one word, it would be genius!"
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