Solar & Energy Blog
Field-tested writing on UK commercial and domestic solar PV, batteries, EV chargers, grid connections and energy finance — from working solar surveyors at KMM.
What Realistic Commercial Solar Payback Looks Like in 2026
How to calculate a real commercial solar payback period without falling for marketing maths — the four assumptions that matter most.
G99 vs G100: When Export Limitation Saves Your Solar Project
Why G100 export limitation is the most under-used tool in UK commercial solar — and how it can save you 12 months and £180,000 in grid reinforcement.
Best Smart Export Guarantee Rates in May 2026
The leading SEG tariffs available to UK solar households in May 2026 — and why the highest headline rate is rarely the best deal.
Drone Survey vs Ladder Survey: Why Every Solar Survey Should Start in the Air
How drone-based solar surveys deliver better accuracy, lower cost and zero ladder risk — and what to ask any installer about their survey process.
Full Expensing and Commercial Solar: How Tax Relief Works
Commercial solar gets tax relief through the Annual Investment Allowance, not Full Expensing. Worked example on a £200k install for a limited company.
The Three Most Common Battery Sizing Mistakes in 2026
Why bigger batteries don't always mean better paybacks — three sizing mistakes we see weekly in quotes from competing installers.
Solar for United Kingdom Farms in 2026: A Practical Guide
Why United Kingdom arable, dairy and mixed farms are getting the strongest solar paybacks in 2026 — and how to navigate planning, grid and SFI compliance.
Smart Export Guarantee vs Export-Only Solar in 2026
When does pure export solar (no consumption) actually pay back? A working installer's guide to the economics in 2026.
MCS vs Non-MCS Solar Installers: What It Means For You
Why MCS certification matters more than you think for domestic solar — and why it matters less for commercial G99 projects.
One Year After Solar: Still Paying £0 for Energy? Here's What Actually Happened
The KMM customer check-in video that's clocked 1,730+ views in months. Real numbers from a UK customer 12 months after install — what worked, what they'd change.
Real Farmer, Real Results — Honest KMM Solar Review (UK Case Study)
The KMM customer review video with 1,400+ views. Lincolnshire arable farmer talks bills, install experience, and the numbers that surprised him most.
Solar Survey Day on a Dairy Farm: What KMM Actually Does On Site
The 'solar install or dairy farm internship?' KMM short — 29 seconds of what a typical dairy farm survey looks like. The full walkthrough below: what we measure, what we ask, what to expect.
Why UK Farmers Shouldn't Be Renting Their Energy in 2026
The KMM short that's clocked 1,000+ views. Why grid-tied UK farms are effectively paying rent on energy — and how solar + battery flips them into owning it.
No Sun Today, Yet Solar Still Producing Power — How UK Solar Performs in Bad Weather
The KMM short that surprised 960+ viewers — solar generating in overcast UK conditions. The science behind why, and what it means for your modelled payback.
This UK Pub Cut Its Energy Bill by £500/Month With Solar (Real Case Study)
Real KMM pub solar install — bills, payback, install footprint and what makes hospitality solar different from any other commercial sector.
How One UK Family Cut Their Energy Bill in Half — Then Got Paid by Their Solar
The full numbers behind KMM's most-watched video. Real UK family, real bills before and after, real SEG export income. The maths, the setup, the customer's verdict.
How One UK Farm Could Save £1 Million With Solar (Full Case Study)
The full breakdown behind KMM's flagship farm video. Energy bills, roof + ground-mount sizing, grant funding, lifetime savings — modelled on a real Lincolnshire farm operation.
GP Surgery Solar Installation UK: From 300 Roof Leaks to a Live 100kW System
Full case study of a 100kW solar + 100kW battery install at a Market Deeping doctors' surgery — Tigo optimisers, roof reseal, previous-installer fixes, and the CQC-aligned uptime detail that mattered.
Workplace EV Charging Grants in 2026: Complete Guide
OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme (£500 per socket), capital allowances and salary sacrifice — the workplace EV charging support that is still open in 2026.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in 2026: 9 Questions to Ask
Nine questions that separate a serious solar installer from a high-volume box-shifter — print this list before your first quote meeting.
Octopus Energy Solar Tariffs in 2026: Which Pays Best?
Octopus Outgoing Lite, Outgoing Fixed, Intelligent Octopus, Cosy — which Octopus tariff actually pays the most for a typical UK solar household in 2026?
Heat Pump and Solar in 2026: How Well Do They Pair?
Solar plus heat pump is the gold standard for home decarbonisation — but solar covers only 20-30% of heat pump demand. Here is the honest economics.
DNO Application Timelines in 2026: What to Actually Expect
How long G98, G99 and G100 applications take with each UK DNO in 2026, and what predicts a fast versus slow application.
Drone Solar Surveys: What to Expect on Survey Day
What actually happens on a drone solar survey day — 30 minutes to 2 hours on site, depending on roof complexity. Photos, noise level, neighbour notification.
Why We Recommend G100 Export Limitation 80% of the Time
G100 export limitation is the most under-used tool in UK commercial solar. Here is why KMM specifies it on most projects above 250kVA — and the small generation cost involved.
The Half-Hourly Data You Need Before Requesting a Solar Quote
Commercial solar quotes are wildly more accurate with half-hourly consumption data. Here is what HH data is, how to pull it, and what KMM does with it.
Salix: The Simplest Commercial Solar Finance for Public Sector
Salix 0% interest loans make commercial solar net-zero-cash for public sector bodies. Here is the process and the typical economics in 2026.
Request a Fully Funded Electrical & Structural Survey
Tell us about your roof, your bills and your goals. KMM runs a fully funded electrical & structural survey, designs a system, runs the numbers and tells you honestly whether solar makes sense for you. No deposit, no pressure.
Fully Funded Survey → 0115 647 3822