Niche sector

Solar PPA for self-storage

Vast roof, low base load — typically structured as in-front-of-meter PPA with SEG.

Typical system size	150kWp–1MWp
Year-1 tariff	11–15 p/kWh
Best-fit structure	On-site PPA (sleeved for multi-site groups)

Acres of roof, very little to power

Self-storage is the deliberate outlier among solar-friendly sites, and the reason is instructive. A big storage facility offers a vast, flat, shade-free roof — ideal panel real estate — yet its own consumption is tiny: corridor and unit lighting, a passenger or goods lift, the reception office, security and CCTV, and any climate-controlled block. With so little on-site demand, most of what a large roof generates has nowhere internal to go, which flips the economics of the deal on its head compared with a bakery or distillery.

Export-led, not self-consumption-led

Because the base load is low, these projects are usually structured in front of the meter, with the developer selling surplus generation and you benefiting through the arrangement rather than by soaking up every unit yourself. Smart Export Guarantee payments on the exported volume become a meaningful part of the return. Systems commonly run 150kWp to 1MWp to make full use of the roof, with tariffs on the consumed portion in the 11–14 p/kWh band. Our tariff and export explainer sets out how the consumed and exported shares are treated differently.

Making the roof pay

For an operator, the appeal is turning an otherwise dead asset — a huge unused roof — into a revenue and sustainability line without capital outlay, since the developer funds and owns the system. If you are also adding climate-controlled units or EV charging for van hire, that new daytime load lifts self-consumption and improves the numbers further. Size a system to your roof, then weigh the options to see whether a lease, a PPA or outright purchase suits your portfolio.

FAQs

Sector FAQs

What's the typical PPA tariff for a self-storage in 2026?

For self-storage, indicative 2026 tariffs are 11–15 p/kWh. Specifics depend on system size, off-taker covenant and DNO context.

What system size suits a typical self-storage?

Typical 2026 systems for self-storage range 150kWp–1MWp. Larger sites suit the upper end of that range.

Why is this sector a good PPA fit?

Vast roof, low base load — typically structured as in-front-of-meter PPA with SEG.