Category: Compliance

Meeting MEES 2027 with a Solar PPA

How a solar PPA can lift your EPC rating to B by April 2030 — and the modelling required to prove it to the asset manager.

The MEES timeline

The minimum to let non-domestic property in England and Wales is EPC E, and two widely-quoted deadlines have changed: the interim EPC C by 2027 was DROPPED, and EPC B moved to a proposed 2031, narrowed to buildings over 1,000 m² (smaller units stay at E), subject to secondary legislation. Many commercial buildings still sit at D/E, so the retrofit case has not gone away — the date has.

Why PPA delivers MEES uplift

Adding solar PV improves the EPC calculation — typically lifting a property by 1-2 letter grades depending on existing fabric and PV capacity.

How much PV you need

For a typical 5,000 m² UK office building rated EPC D, lifting toward B usually requires:

• Solar PV equivalent to 30-50% of annual electricity demand
• LED lighting throughout (separate from PPA)
• Roof / cavity insulation upgrades where applicable
• Heat pump consideration (where heating is fossil-fuel)

Working back from the proposed 2031 EPC B target

• 2031: proposed EPC B target for buildings over 1,000 m² (subject to secondary legislation)
• 2030: system commissioned, EPC re-issued
• 2029: heads-of-terms signed, build underway
• 2028: provider selection complete
• 2027: RFP issued to providers
• Now: roof condition + EPC baseline assessment

What landlords need to do now

• Run current EPC assessments — know your baseline
• Model PV potential per building
• Engage tenants — if cost is passed through service charge or rent
• Co-ordinate with planned LED + insulation retrofits