A 200,000 sqft warehouse (18,600 sqm gross roof) typically supports 1.0-1.2 MW of solar PV — about 1,850-2,200 panels at 540W each. Usable roof area after sprinkler clearances, rooflights, and M&E plant deductions is typically 6,500-8,000 sqm. At 6 sqm per kW mounting density, this gives 1,100-1,300 kW capacity.
When DNO becomes the binding constraint
For warehouses above 1.5 MW capacity, DNO grid connection often becomes the binding constraint rather than roof area. We pre-check DNO capacity during structural survey to avoid this surprise.
When less than maximum is the right size
Maximum roof PV isn't always optimum. Self-consumption ratio drops rapidly above 100% of daytime baseload — excess generation exports at SEG (5-15p/kWh) versus avoided grid retail (22p/kWh). For most warehouse types, we size to 90-110% of metered daytime baseload, not roof maximum.
See more
Warehouse sizing methodology: /how-many-solar-panels-fit-warehouse-roof/. System size pages: /1mw-warehouse-solar/, /2mw-warehouse-solar/.