Solar PPA for vehicle hire depots
Forecourt + workshop + EV charging — strong stacking case for solar + battery.
Quick answer: vehicle hire depots PPAs
A solar PPA for vehicle hire depots typically prices at 12–16 p/kWh in year one on a 100–500kWp system, versus 21–25 p/kWh grid import. The provider funds, owns and maintains the system over 15–25 years and you buy only the power generated — no capital outlay.
| Typical system size | 100–500kWp |
| Year-1 tariff | 12–16 p/kWh |
| Best-fit structure | On-site PPA (sleeved for multi-site groups) |
A depot on the edge of a demand surge
A vehicle-hire depot today runs a fairly ordinary mix of loads: forecourt and canopy lighting, a valet and jet-wash bay, a maintenance workshop with lifts and compressors, and the booking office. On its own that supports a solar system in the 100–500kWp range at roughly 12–16 p/kWh. What sets this niche apart is what comes next — fleet electrification is about to multiply the site's electricity appetite, and the operators planning for it now are the ones who will sit comfortably later.
Solar and storage, not solar alone
The stacking logic here is stronger than almost anywhere. Hire vehicles return through the day and dwell overnight, so pairing panels with a battery lets a depot bank cheap midday generation and release it to charge cars as they come back or before the morning turnaround. That solar-plus-storage combination smooths the depot's own demand and cuts the cost of every electric mile the fleet covers. The how-it-works overview explains how storage is folded into an agreement.
Charging the fleet from your own roof
Once chargepoints are in, the economics change character. Instead of buying grid power to refuel an electric fleet, the depot refuels partly from generation it already owns the output of — turning what would be a rising cost into a controlled one. Model both the current load and the electrified one, because sizing only for today undersells the array; the solar savings calculator lets you test a fleet-charging scenario.
- Array sized for today's load and tomorrow's charging demand
- Battery specified to shift midday solar into charging windows
- Chargepoint rollout sequenced with fleet electrification
Storage-inclusive deals aren't offered by every financier — check which funders support solar-plus-battery before committing.
Sector FAQs
What's the typical PPA tariff for a vehicle hire depot in 2026?
For vehicle hire depots, indicative 2026 tariffs are 12–16 p/kWh. Specifics depend on system size, off-taker covenant and DNO context.
What system size suits a typical vehicle hire depot?
Typical 2026 systems for vehicle hire depots range 100–500kWp. Larger sites suit the upper end of that range.
Why is this sector a good PPA fit?
Forecourt + workshop + EV charging — strong stacking case for solar + battery.
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