Commercial finance for sustainability: solar, EV chargers and heat pumps

Looking to reduce energy bills, win green contracts or meet new building standards? UK Business Loans quickly matches limited companies and incorporated businesses with specialist lenders and brokers who fund commercial solar projects, workplace EV charge points and commercial heat pump installations. Complete a short, no‑obligation enquiry and we’ll introduce you to the providers most likely to help.

Get Quote Now · Free Eligibility Check

Table of contents

• Quick answer (TL;DR)
• Why use UK Business Loans for sustainability finance?
• Which sustainability projects are covered
• How commercial finance works for green projects
• Typical lender requirements & eligibility
• Costs, terms & incentives
• How our matching process works
• Short case examples
• FAQs
• Disclaimer & compliance note
• Get started

Quick answer (TL;DR)

Yes — UK Business Loans does not provide loans directly but we match businesses with lenders and brokers who can fund sustainability projects including commercial solar PV, workplace EV charge points and commercial heat pumps. Our enquiry form is quick, free and is used only to match you to the best finance partners for your project.

Get Quote Now — the short enquiry won’t affect your credit score and is not an application.

Why use UK Business Loans for sustainability finance?

We act as an introducer that helps incorporated businesses find the right finance route quickly. You save time and increase the chance of a suitable offer because we match you to lenders and brokers experienced in commercial sustainability projects, rather than sending a generic application to the market.

• Fast matching to specialist lenders and brokers nationwide
• Suitable for projects and loan values from around £10,000 upwards
• Free, no‑obligation enquiry — used to match you with providers
• We connect you to partners who understand commercial installations and construction timelines

What you get: a quick eligibility check, tailored lender/broker introductions and multiple quotes to compare — without the legwork. If you want to explore commercial finance options further, start a Free Eligibility Check.

Which sustainability projects are covered

We can help match incorporated businesses to lenders and brokers that commonly fund the following commercial sustainability projects:

• Commercial solar PV — rooftop and ground‑mounted systems, plus battery storage. Typical funding: asset finance, green loans or lease arrangements.
• EV charging infrastructure — single to multi‑point workplace and public chargers, electrical upgrades and management systems. Typical funding: equipment finance, supplier finance or project loans.
• Commercial heat pumps — air‑source and ground‑source systems for offices, retail and care homes. Typical funding: equipment finance, commercial loans or property‑linked finance.
• Energy efficiency works — LED lighting, insulation, HVAC upgrades, building management and control systems.
• Fleet electrification — finance for electric vans and trucks (where provided as commercial vehicle finance).

For large developments or complex installations we often connect businesses to specialist commercial finance and development lenders. You can learn more about commercial funding routes and options for larger projects on our commercial finance page for businesses looking for tailored solutions: commercial finance.

How commercial finance works for green projects

There are several funding routes commonly used for sustainability installations. Which is best depends on project size, cashflow and whether you want to own the equipment.

Asset finance (hire purchase, finance lease)

Common for equipment such as solar panels, batteries and heat pumps. You spread the cost over a fixed term, often 2–7 years, and may take ownership at the end (hire purchase) or not (finance lease). Good for preserving cash and matching repayments to asset life.

Equipment / supplier finance

Installers and manufacturers sometimes offer supplier finance or work with lender partners. This can simplify procurement because the supplier handles paperwork; terms vary and may include performance warranties.

Green or sustainability loans

Some lenders offer loans specifically labelled for energy efficiency and renewable projects. These “green” loans may have competitive terms where lenders see strong collateral or verified energy savings.

Commercial property & development finance

For large rooftop or building‑wide projects tied to a development, lenders may use property‑backed facilities. Terms can be longer and are suited to significant capital works.

Energy Service Company (ESCO) models / Performance contracting

An ESCO funds and installs works and is repaid from measured energy savings. These models reduce upfront capital for the business but require robust measurement and verification.

Working capital / invoice finance

Used to bridge cashflow while a project is installed and commissioned. Suitable where long lead times or staged payments are required.

What this means for you: lenders will look at the project scope, installer experience, expected savings and your business finances before offering terms. We’ll help match you to the lenders who specialise in the route that makes sense for your project.

Typical lender requirements & eligibility

Lenders differ, but common checks include:

• Minimum loan value — many commercial lenders work from around £10,000 and upwards
• Trading history and company status — limited companies and incorporated entities are the usual applicants
• Cashflow, profitability and company accounts — recent accounts or management accounts may be requested
• Project documentation — installer quotations, technical specifications, energy saving estimates (where applicable)
• Security — some lenders require fixed charges over assets or property, depending on size of facility

Documentation checklist (typical): recent bank statements, company accounts or management accounts, VAT registration (if applicable), installer quotes and project proposals. We match you to lenders who accept your business type and the scale of your project.

Costs, terms & incentives

Costs vary by funding type. Expect to see:

• Interest rates (quoted as APR or nominal rate) — dependent on credit strength, term and security
• Fees — arrangement, valuation or facility fees can apply
• Deposit — some lenders require a deposit, others fund 100% of equipment cost
• Term examples — asset finance: 2–7 years; commercial loans: 3–10 years; property finance: longer terms possible

VAT and tax: VAT treatment depends on the installation and whether your business is VAT‑registered — check with your accountant. Commercial sustainability projects may be eligible for capital allowances or local grant programmes. Grant schemes change; check GOV.UK, BEIS and local authority portals for current support. Lenders typically accept grant top‑ups as part of the funding plan.

Step‑by‑step: how UK Business Loans matches you

1. Complete a short enquiry form — the information is used to match you, it is not a loan application. Start a Free Eligibility Check.
2. We review your details and identify 1–3 lenders or brokers suited to your sector and project size.
3. Matched lenders/brokers contact you to discuss requirements, request documentation and provide tailored quotes.
4. Compare offers, agree terms directly with the lender/broker and proceed with installation and funding.

Submitting an enquiry is free, quick (around 2 minutes) and does not affect your credit file. Use our short form to get matched: Get Quote Now.

Short case examples

Example 1 — Roofing contractor (solar PV): A contractor forched a £45k rooftop solar project. We introduced them to a lender offering asset finance over 5 years allowing predictable monthly payments and ownership at term end.

Example 2 — Retail park (EV chargers): A retail landlord needed multi‑point chargers and electrical upgrades. A blended solution of equipment finance plus a supplier rebate helped spread costs over 7 years while keeping capital available for other works.

Example 3 — Care home (heat pump): A care home replaced oil boilers with a commercial heat pump funded by a specialist energy loan combined with a small grant. The lender required installer accreditation and projected energy savings to support the application.

FAQs

Do UK Business Loans cover green and sustainability loans, such as solar, EV chargers, and heat pumps?

Yes. UK Business Loans connects businesses to lenders and brokers that fund sustainability projects including solar PV, EV charge points and heat pumps. We introduce you to providers — the actual finance is offered by lenders/brokers who set terms, eligibility and approval conditions.

Does your enquiry affect my business credit score?

No. Completing our short enquiry is a soft‑match process and does not affect your credit score. Individual lenders or brokers may perform credit checks later if you progress with them.

What size of project can you help with?

We typically match businesses seeking finance from around £10,000 upwards and can help with multi‑site or large commercial projects by connecting you to development and property finance specialists.

Can I use grants with commercial finance?

Yes. Many lenders accept grant top‑ups as part of the funding package. Grants reduce the capital you need to borrow and can improve loan terms — check scheme eligibility and speak to your matched broker for a combined funding plan.

How long does it take to get a quote?

After you submit the enquiry, matched lenders/brokers typically contact you within hours to a few working days depending on complexity. Simpler asset finance deals can be quicker; larger, property‑linked transactions take longer.

Disclaimer & compliance note

UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. We connect businesses to lenders and brokers who provide finance and set terms. Submitting an enquiry is free and not a loan application. Any finance offers are made by lenders/brokers at their discretion.

Ready to explore finance for your sustainability project?

Complete our quick enquiry and we’ll match your business to lenders and brokers who specialise in commercial sustainability projects. It takes around two minutes and won’t affect your credit file. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Written by UK Business Loans — specialist finance introducers with experience matching UK businesses to lenders and brokers for commercial sustainability finance.

1. Do you provide commercial finance for solar PV, workplace EV chargers and commercial heat pumps?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches incorporated businesses with lenders and brokers who provide commercial finance for solar, EV charge points and heat pump projects.

2. What loan amounts are available for commercial sustainability projects?
Most lenders we work with fund projects from around £10,000 upwards, with specialist commercial and development lenders able to support much larger multi‑site or rooftop schemes.

3. Will completing your free eligibility check affect my business credit score?
No — the short enquiry is a soft matching tool and does not affect your credit file, although individual lenders may carry out credit checks if you proceed with an application.

4. What types of finance can be used for green projects like solar, EV chargers and heat pumps?
Common options include asset finance (hire purchase/finance lease), equipment/supplier finance, green or sustainability loans, property‑backed commercial finance, ESCO/performance contracting and working capital facilities.

5. Can I combine grants or government incentives with commercial finance?
Yes — many lenders accept grant top‑ups and incentives to reduce the amount you borrow, but you should confirm current schemes and disclose any grant income to your matched lender or broker.

6. How quickly will lenders or brokers contact me after I submit an enquiry?
We usually match you within hours and matched lenders/brokers typically respond within hours to a few working days, with larger or more complex projects taking longer.

7. What documentation do lenders typically require for sustainability project finance?
Lenders commonly request company accounts or management accounts, recent bank statements, VAT registration (if applicable), installer quotes, technical specifications and projected energy savings.

8. Will I need to provide security or own the property to get funding for a green installation?
Not always — smaller asset or equipment finance deals often use the equipment as collateral, while larger facilities may require fixed charges over assets or property depending on lender policies.

9. Can start‑ups or businesses with imperfect credit get green business loans through your service?
Yes — some specialist lenders and brokers in our network work with start‑ups and businesses with non‑perfect credit histories, though availability and terms will vary by lender.

10. How do I start and does using UK Business Loans cost anything?
Start by completing our quick, free eligibility check (it’s not a loan application) and we’ll introduce you to FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers at no cost or obligation.