Compliance

MEES, EPC B and Solar PPAs: What Actually Applies

The legal minimum to let non-domestic property is EPC E. The interim EPC C 2027 milestone was DROPPED in the government's June 2026 interim response, and EPC B is now proposed for 2031 and only for buildings over 1,000 m². A PPA delivers the EPC uplift without capital outlay.

What this means

MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) sets the floor for the energy performance of non-domestic let property in England and Wales. The floor to let is currently EPC E. Two proposals commonly quoted are now out of date: the interim EPC C by 2027 has been DROPPED, and the EPC B target moved to 2031 and applies only to buildings over 1,000 m² (smaller units stay at E) — all subject to secondary legislation. A solar PPA delivers EPC-rating uplift without capital outlay, typically 1-2 letter grades.

Actions to take

• Run a current EPC assessment to know your baseline.
• Model how much PV your roof can take (target 30-50% energy generation).
• Engage a PPA provider 12-18 months ahead of the EPC B target date that applies to your building.
• Coordinate with planned LED + insulation retrofits for maximum EPC uplift.

What MEES actually requires of landlords

MEES — the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards — governs the energy performance a landlord must reach before commercial premises in England and Wales can lawfully be let. Today the floor is an EPC rating of E, and it stays there for now: the interim EPC C milestone once proposed for 2027 was dropped in the government’s June 2026 interim response, and the EPC B target was pushed to 2031 and narrowed to buildings over 1,000 m2, subject to secondary legislation. Miss the standard and you cannot grant a new lease or renew an existing one without registering an exemption; enforcement sits with local authorities, who can levy penalties and publish the breach. The duty attaches to the party doing the letting, not the occupier — so this is a landlord problem first.

Why solar moves your EPC letter

An EPC score reflects modelled energy cost and carbon per square metre, and on-site generation lowers both. That is why rooftop PV routinely lifts a commercial building one to two grades — often the difference between a lettable asset and a stranded one. The obstacle is usually capital: fabric works and an array can run well into six figures on a large unit, competing with every other call on the estate. A power purchase agreement removes that capital line entirely. The provider funds, installs and owns the panels; you simply buy the electricity they produce. Because you never own the asset under a PPA, the capital allowances sit with the funder, not you.

Sequencing the upgrade

MEES rewards a coordinated retrofit rather than a single fix, and solar performs best stacked with the cheaper measures that also move the meter.

• Commission a fresh EPC so you are working from the real baseline, not the last certificate on file.
• Model how much PV the roof will carry — aim to cover 30–50% of the building's consumption.
• Bundle LED relighting and insulation into the same programme for compound EPC gain.
• Engage a PPA provider 12–18 months before the deadline bites, since surveys and grid connections take time.

Getting the numbers right first

Before committing, size the array against your actual load and check the PPA tariff stacks up against your grid contract. Our savings calculator gives a first-pass generation and cost estimate, while the funding comparison shows where a PPA beats buying outright for a MEES-driven upgrade. Landlords with a strong tenant covenant find funders compete hardest for the deal — worth understanding what the off-taker covenant means for the terms you will be offered.

FAQs

MEES, EPC B and Solar PPAs: What Actually Applies FAQs

Can a solar PPA on its own deliver compliance?

Not on its own — but it's typically the highest-impact single lever, especially for MEES and Scope 2. Combine PPA with LED + insulation + heat-pump for full compliance pathways.

How long before compliance deadline should I sign a PPA?

12-18 months minimum. PPA contracts take 6-12 months to sign and build. Add 3-6 months for measurement and verification before the deadline assessment.

Do PPAs always include REGO transfer?

Most do — but it must be explicit in the contract. Some standardised retail-PPA structures don't transfer REGOs by default; specifically negotiate this if you need the green claim.