Solar Skin for Commercial Projects: Branding, Planning and Aesthetics in One Solution
Solar technology has long been valued for its ability to reduce operational costs and support sustainability targets. But as more businesses seek to integrate solar without compromising visual impact or site design, aesthetics are becoming an increasingly important consideration. That’s where Solar Skin comes in.
Developed by Sistine Solar and soon to be available in the UK, Solar Skin allows commercial solar arrays to be visually customised without significant compromise to generation. Whether you're looking to meet planning requirements in sensitive areas or turn your rooftop or façade into a branded asset, Solar Skin offers a practical, high-impact solution.
In this article, we explore how the product works, its key use cases for commercial clients, and what to expect in terms of performance, logistics, and cost.
What Is Solar Skin?
Solar Skin is a patented surface film applied to the front of solar panels. The material allows light to pass through to the photovoltaic cells while simultaneously displaying a printed image, logo, colour scheme, or pattern on the surface. The result is a solar array that functions efficiently while visually aligning with your building or brand.
The film is applied off-site in a controlled facility prior to installation. This ensures uniformity and durability, but also means the panels must be specified and ordered with the skin already applied. Once on site, the panels are installed in a specific order to ensure the final design appears correctly.
Why Consider Solar Skin for Commercial Installations?
1. Brand Integration
Solar Skin enables companies to display their branding directly on rooftop or wall-mounted solar arrays. This can be particularly valuable for high-footfall sites such as retail parks, breweries, stadiums, and business parks. Solar panels no longer need to be visually neutral — they can become part of your visual identity.
Examples from the US include:
A brewery incorporating its logo across an entire solar array
A office block wall turned into an advertising canvas
A floating solar system featuring a corporate insignia
A commercial façade displaying a brand pattern
(Read about Wall Mounted Solar here: Wall Mounted Solar Panels)
This level of visual integration can enhance brand visibility while reinforcing sustainability credentials to clients, employees, and investors.
2. Planning and Architectural Sensitivity
For commercial properties in conservation areas or with listed status, planning permission for solar can be challenging. Solar Skin allows panels to mimic traditional roof coverings such as slate, rosemary, or clay tiles, offering a potential route to approval where standard panels may not be acceptable.
The product also includes anti-glare properties, which may assist with planning approval for wall-mounted systems near public roads or transport hubs.
3. Public Engagement and ESG Reporting
For organisations with sustainability targets or environmental accreditations, integrating Solar Skin into a visible location can reinforce your net zero commitments. This is particularly relevant for:
- Educational institutions
- Government buildings
- Cultural centres
- Corporate headquarters
A well-designed array featuring your sustainability messaging or corporate logo provides a visible demonstration of your green credentials.
System Design and Technical Considerations
Although the aesthetic overlay affects light transmission, efficiency losses are relatively limited. According to Sistine Solar, generation performance falls into three broad categories depending on coverage:
- Partial coverage: 98–99% of standard output
- Half coverage: ~92% of standard output
- Full coverage with detailed artwork: ~85% of standard output
The choice of design, colour intensity, and coverage area will influence overall performance. A design tool will soon be available to allow system designers to model generation impact at the project design stage.
Stringing requirements must also be considered carefully. Panels with Solar Skin should be strung separately from unskinned panels to avoid mismatch losses. For this reason, using microinverters or string optimisers may be advisable on systems with mixed panel types.
We recommend using premium solar modules with advanced shade mitigation for maximum performance. Suitable options include the AIKO NeoStar 3 and REC Alpha series, both of which offer additional bypass diodes to protect against localised shading effects.
Durability and Warranty
Solar Skin is designed to last up to 30 years. It comes with a 10-year warranty covering discolouration, bubbling, and surface degradation. If required, the film can be removed without damaging the underlying panel, in much the same way as a vehicle wrap.
Is Solar Skin Right for Your Business?
Solar Skin is designed for organisations where visual appearance, brand presentation, and regulatory considerations carry as much weight as energy generation. For sites in prominent locations, conservation areas, or those subject to architectural scrutiny, it offers a means to integrate solar without aesthetic compromise.
It also presents a valuable opportunity for organisations seeking to reinforce their ESG credentials. A customised solar array that aligns with your visual identity or displays sustainability messaging can serve as a visible statement of environmental leadership — both to stakeholders and the wider public.
If your business places a premium on brand integrity, planning compliance, and public-facing sustainability, Solar Skin offers a practical and visually impactful solution.
To discuss the suitability of Solar Skin for your project, please get in touch with the Spirit Energy team. We can advise on feasibility, performance expectations, and tailored design options to meet your organisation’s specific objectives.
