Crewe Solar Guide: Bentley’s 10MW Roof, Cheshire Grants & 10 Verified Installers
10 real local firms lined up side by side — in a town whose biggest employer already runs a 10MW rooftop solar array.
Crewe doesn’t need convincing that solar works on a big roof. Bentley’s Pyms Lane factory carries what was billed as the UK’s largest rooftop solar array when it was first installed in 2013, and a 2023 expansion took it to 36,418 panels generating up to 10MW — enough to cover roughly 75% of the factory’s daytime electricity demand.
Closer to home, Leighton Hospital added its own rooftop solar in 2025, funded by a Great British Energy grant, expected to generate around 34,000 kWh a year and save the Trust roughly £9,500 annually to put back into patient care.
That’s on top of Cheshire East Council’s own 4.1MW Leighton Grange solar farm nearby and the recurring Switch Together Cheshire group-buying scheme, which has already helped over 560 Cheshire East households install solar. For an ordinary Crewe roof, the fastest route is still a direct quote from a genuine local installer — below is every one we could verify, checked against Checkatrade, company websites and Companies House.
At a glance: Crewe solar installers compared
| Company | Accreditation | Services | Coverage | Years | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels Funded | MCS network | Quote matching, solar PV, battery, panel cleaning, funding guidance | Crewe & Cheshire East | — | One enquiry → multiple local quotes |
| Solar Footprint Energy Ltd | MCS, NICEIC, RECC, OFTEC | Solar PV, agricultural solar, heat pumps, battery, EV charging | Crewe-based, Cheshire-wide | — | Genuinely Crewe-headquartered, agricultural solar specialism |
| Cheshire Solar (Lundie Electrical Ltd) | MCS, RECC, NAPIT | Solar PV, battery (Tesla Powerwall, Sigenergy), commercial solar, EV charging | Nantwich, Crewe, Chester, Northwich, Macclesfield, Congleton | 12+ | In-house electricians, no subcontractors |
| Renewable Planet | MCS, RECC, NAPIT | Residential/commercial/industrial solar PV, heat pumps, battery, DNO applications | Crewe (dedicated page), Nantwich, Sandbach, Middlewich | — | Larger commercial and industrial installs |
| Apex Doma Ltd | NICEIC, MCS, RECC, TrustMark, Which? Trusted Trader | Solar PV, battery (Tesla Powerwall, Sigenstor), EV charging | Cheshire-wide | — | Battery and EV charger bundle installs |
| E-Verve Energy Ltd | MCS, TrustMark, RECC, OZEV | Solar PV, battery, EV charging, boiler replacement | North West England & North Wales | 10+ | Award-winning: Most Trusted Renewable Energy Installer 2024 |
| Magna Renewables Ltd | MCS, TrustMark, NICEIC, HIES | Solar PV, battery, heat pumps, insulation, EV charging | Cheshire & wider area | — | Full-house retrofit under one roof |
| Utilita Home | MCS, NAPIT, RECC, TrustMark | Solar PV, battery storage, EV charging, AI battery management | National, Checkatrade-listed for Crewe | — | Backed by a national energy supplier, 10.00/10 Checkatrade |
| HSB Renewable Energy Ltd | — | Solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps & servicing | North Wales, Chester & Cheshire | 13 | Long trading history |
| Rural & Country Energy Ltd | MCS, NAPIT, TrustMark, SafeContractor, HEIS | Heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage, underfloor heating, commercial solar | Cheshire, rural/farm properties | Since 2013 | Rural and farm properties, broadest accreditation stack |
| TB Electrics & Home Improvements Ltd | TrustMark | Solar PV, SunSynk battery/inverters, EV charging, LED, EICR/PAT | Crewe (dedicated SunSynk page), Knutsford, Stockport | — | SunSynk battery and inverter specialism, 10.00/10 Checkatrade (92 reviews) |
Solar in Crewe by the numbers
We’ve worked these figures out for a home in Crewe. A 4kW system on a south-facing, 35° roof here is estimated to produce 3,692 kWh a year, peaking at 464 kWh in May and falling to 119 kWh in December.
- 3,692 kWh / yearEstimated output of a 4kW roof system in Crewe
- 27.86p per kWhPrice-cap unit rate for the North Wales & Mersey region, Oct–Dec 2026 (GB average 26.32p)
- £410–£615 off your billIf you use 40–60% of what the panels make at home
- + £190–£290 export incomeThe rest sold at 13p/kWh on an open Smart Export Guarantee tariff
That’s roughly £700–£810 a year in total, paying back a typical £6,490 system in 8.0–9.3 years. The flat Cheshire Plain around Crewe gets more sun than the Pennine-edge towns to the east, and the Manweb-area unit price is the highest in Great Britain.
Sources: output from the EU’s PVGIS 5.3 model (SARAH-3 data, 2005–2023) for Crewe, 4kW, 35° south-facing, roof-mounted, 14% system losses. Unit rate from Ofgem’s price cap for 1 Oct–31 Dec 2026. Export rate: Fuse Energy Single Rate Variable, September 2026. Installed cost: Sunsave, August 2026.
Areas covered around Crewe
This guide covers Crewe’s CW1 and CW2 postcode districts: the town centre, Coppenhall, Leighton, Sydney, Maw Green, Crewe Green, Haslington, Wistaston, Willaston, Wells Green, Shavington, Gresty and Weston. Solar Footprint Energy is based in Crewe, and Renewable Planet and Cheshire Solar cover the town from nearby.
Town CentreCoppenhallLeightonSydneyMaw GreenCrewe GreenHaslingtonWistastonWillastonWells GreenShavingtonWeston
Ward and parish names from the Office for National Statistics postcode directory for CW1, CW2 (via postcodes.io).
Planning and grid connection in Crewe
- Permitted developmentMost Crewe homes, many of them terraces and post-war semis, can have roof panels fitted without planning permission if they stay within 200mm of the roof and below the ridge.
- Conservation areasMost of Crewe’s housing lies outside a conservation area, but Cheshire East’s conservation area map is the place to check. Inside one, road-facing wall panels need permission.
- Article 4 and listed buildingsSome individual properties are covered by Article 4 directions on Cheshire East’s address list. Listed buildings need listed building consent.
- SP Energy NetworksCrewe’s network operator (Manweb area). A standard system is notified after installation (G98); larger systems, like many commercial roofs, need approval first (G99).
Sources: Bentley Motors (Pyms Lane solar); Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust / Great British Energy (Leighton Hospital); Cheshire East Council (Switch Together, Warm Homes: Local Grant, Article 4 list); SP Energy Networks.
Solar Panels Funded
MCS networkResidential & commercialFunding specialists
Solar Panels Funded is a Birmingham-based solar energy intermediary operating from Digbeth Court Business Centre, 162–164 High Street, Birmingham, B12 0LD. It connects homeowners across Crewe and the wider Cheshire East area with a vetted network of MCS-accredited local installers, rather than being a single installation company itself.
One enquiry through the website brings back competitive quotes from multiple qualified installers matched to your property, roof type and system size, with no obligation to proceed — useful given how many differently-based firms cover the Crewe area.
Solar Panels Funded also provides guidance on government-backed funding, including the Warm Homes Local Grant and ECO4 scheme, plus no-upfront-cost solar panel schemes and interest-free financing alongside the 0% VAT relief and Smart Export Guarantee.
Best for One enquiry → multiple competitive quotes from vetted MCS-accredited local installers.
Solar Footprint Energy Ltd
MCSNICEICRECCOFTEC
Solar Footprint Energy is registered right in Crewe on Abbey Park Way, and is one of the few installers on this list genuinely headquartered in the town rather than just covering it from further afield.
The company holds MCS, NICEIC, RECC and OFTEC accreditation, and covers domestic and commercial solar PV, agricultural solar, air source heat pumps, battery storage and EV charging, partnering with brands including Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge and GivEnergy.
Best for A genuinely Crewe-based installer with an agricultural solar specialism.
Cheshire Solar (Lundie Electrical Ltd)
MCSRECCNAPIT
Cheshire Solar, trading as Lundie Electrical, is based in Nantwich just a few miles from Crewe and explicitly lists Crewe among its core coverage areas alongside Chester, Northwich, Macclesfield and Congleton.
With over 12 years of experience, the company covers solar PV design and installation, battery storage including Tesla Powerwall and Sigenergy, commercial solar and EV charging, using in-house electricians rather than subcontractors.
Best for A nearby installer that keeps installation work fully in-house.
Renewable Planet
MCSRECCNAPIT
Renewable Planet runs a landing page built specifically for Crewe, stating it designs and installs solar PV for residential, commercial and industrial properties across the town and wider Cheshire, including Nantwich, Sandbach and Middlewich.
Services span in-roof, on-roof, flat-roof and ground-mount solar PV, air source heat pumps, battery storage and Tesla Powerwall installs, DNO applications and energy assessments, backed by up to a 25-year system warranty.
Best for Larger commercial and industrial solar installs.
Apex Doma Ltd
NICEICMCSRECCTrustMark
Apex Doma holds NICEIC Approved Contractor, MCS, RECC and TrustMark accreditation plus Which? Trusted Trader status, covering solar PV including in-roof systems across Cheshire.
The company specialises in battery and EV charger bundles, partnering with brands including Tesla Powerwall, Sigenergy Sigenstor, Andersen, myenergi and Hypervolt.
Best for Households wanting a matched battery and EV charger installation.
E-Verve Energy Ltd
MCSTrustMarkRECCOZEV
E-Verve Energy has over 10 years in the renewable energy industry and won Most Trusted Renewable Energy Installer 2024 for the North West from SME News at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The company covers solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and boiler replacement, and appears on Checkatrade serving the Crewe and Cheshire East search area.
Best for An independently award-recognised installer covering the North West.
Magna Renewables Ltd
MCSTrustMarkNICEICHIES
Magna Renewables holds MCS, TrustMark, NICEIC and HIES accreditation, covering solar PV, battery storage and diverters, air, ground and water source heat pumps, boilers and multiple insulation types.
As a full-retrofit specialist with 73 reviews on Birdeye, it suits homeowners planning solar alongside a wider heating or insulation upgrade.
Best for A full-house retrofit covering heating, insulation and solar together.
Utilita Home
MCSNAPITRECCTrustMark
Utilita Home is the solar installation arm of national energy supplier Utilita, holding MCS, NAPIT, RECC and TrustMark accreditation and Solar Energy UK membership.
The company covers solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and its own AI-driven Utilita Optimise battery management system, with a Checkatrade listing serving the Crewe area showing a perfect 10.00 rating from 10 reviews.
Best for Homeowners who want the reassurance of a well-known national energy brand.
HSB Renewable Energy Ltd
13 years tradingBattery specialists
HSB Renewable Energy has been trading for over 13 years, covering domestic and commercial solar PV, battery storage and heat pump installation and servicing, partnering with brands including Sigenergy, Tesla Energy, Victron and FoxESS.
The company’s on-site accreditation details are limited, so confirm current MCS status directly before booking — but its long trading history across Cheshire is well established.
Best for A long-standing regional installer with strong battery brand partnerships.
Rural & Country Energy Ltd
MCSNAPITTrustMarkSafeContractor
Rural & Country Energy has traded since 2013 and holds one of the broadest accreditation stacks found for this area, including MCS, NAPIT, TrustMark, SafeContractor and HEIS.
Services span heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage, underfloor heating and commercial solar, with a clear focus on rural and farm properties that suits Cheshire East’s more agricultural fringes around Crewe.
Best for Rural and farm properties around Crewe’s agricultural fringe.
TB Electrics & Home Improvements Ltd
TrustMarkSunSynk specialist
TB Electrics & Home Improvements runs a dedicated page for SunSynk batteries and inverters in Crewe, alongside solar PV, EV charging, LED lighting and general electrical work including EICR and PAT testing.
Its Checkatrade listing for the Crewe area shows a perfect 10.00 rating across 92 reviews, one of the strongest review records of any installer covering the town.
Best for Households specifically wanting a SunSynk battery and inverter specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the solar array at Bentley in Crewe?
Very big. Bentley’s Pyms Lane factory had what was then the UK’s largest rooftop array when it was first fitted in 2013, and a 2023 expansion took it to 36,418 panels and up to 10MW. The company says that covers about three-quarters of the plant’s daytime electricity demand.
Does Leighton Hospital have solar panels?
Yes, since 2025. Leighton Hospital’s rooftop panels were paid for by a Great British Energy grant and are expected to produce around 34,000 kWh a year, cutting the hospital’s grid electricity bill. It’s a good sign of how public buildings around Crewe are adopting solar.
Can Crewe residents get a Warm Homes grant for solar?
Some can. Cheshire East Council runs the Cheshire and Warrington allocation of the Warm Homes: Local Grant through to 31 March 2028, and solar PV is among the upgrades it can pay for. You begin on GOV.UK; if accepted, Cotality surveys the property and Next Energy Services does the installation. Qualifying homes are rated D–G and owned or privately rented by people receiving an income-related benefit or on £36k a year or less.
How much electricity will panels generate in Crewe?
EU PVGIS irradiance data gives a south-facing 4kW Crewe roof about 3,692 kWh in an average year, roughly 4.5% more than Congleton and 10% more than Macclesfield. The best month is May with around 464 kWh; December produces about 119.
Are solar panels worth it in Crewe?
Crewe pays North Wales & Mersey rates of 27.86p per kWh (October–December 2026), the highest cap in Britain, so each unit you use yourself is worth more than in most regions. A 4kW system with export at 13p is worth roughly £700 a year at 40% self-use and £810 at 60%. That’s payback in about 8.0 to 9.3 years.
Are there solar installers based in Crewe?
Solar Footprint Energy is based in Crewe and works across Cheshire. Renewable Planet has a dedicated Crewe service and also covers Nantwich, Sandbach and Middlewich, and Cheshire Solar (Lundie Electrical) works from nearby. Rural & Country Energy is worth a look for farm and barn roofs on the edge of town.
Final Thoughts
Crewe has a genuinely strong solar pedigree for a town its size, from Bentley’s landmark 10MW rooftop array at Pyms Lane to Leighton Hospital’s newly installed panels — and that’s backed by a real spread of local installers, from Crewe-based Solar Footprint Energy to well-accredited firms across the wider Cheshire East border.
Whichever route you take, get at least three quotes, confirm accreditation directly where it isn’t listed, and consider registering for Cheshire East’s own Switch Together group-buying scheme alongside your individual quotes.
Related reading on Solar Panels Funded
Solar Energy Funding Specialist & Home Energy Advisor
Zachariah Eaton is a UK-based solar energy funding specialist with a focus on helping homeowners access grants, financing schemes, and cost-saving renewable solutions. He has spent years researching government-backed programmes such as ECO4, Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), and local funding initiatives to make solar more accessible. Zachariah writes practical, easy-to-understand guides that help households reduce energy bills and transition to clean energy with confidence.