7 Benefits of Installing Commercial Solar Panels in Essex | EPC

As commercial energy costs skyrocket, solar panel installations can save businesses thousands, reducing their reliance on the grid for electricity.

Plus, for commercial solar, Essex is a prime location, as its relatively sunny weather often provides businesses across the region with excess energy.

With a commercial solar installation, you can turn your roof or spare land into an energy source, helping you save money and contribute to a greener planet. In some cases, you can start generating income from your solar panels, thanks to government incentives.

In this article, we’ll run you through the seven main benefits of commercial solar installations in Essex.

Commercial solar panel installation can transform the fortunes of a business, reducing costs, helping to meet green requirements, and more. 

1. Reducing energy costs

With a large commercial solar system, your business will produce most of its own electricity. This will greatly reduce your reliance on the grid, slashing your monthly/annual energy costs. In fact, businesses can save up to 70% on energy bills, which translates into thousands of pounds. 

Think about this in the long-run, and the return on investment is substantial. For commercial buildings, the payback period for solar panels tends to fall within one and three years. For a little context, the payback period for residential solar panels is between 10 and 15 years.

2. Potential to Generate Income

As well as saving you money, a solar panel installation will help you to start generating income. This is a result of the UK Government-backed Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The SEG allows you to sell any excess electricity back to the grid in return for money. 

For businesses, SEG payments are considered as trading income, meaning you’ll have to pay tax on them. SEG payments aren’t subject to VAT, however, so they can be offset against other taxable income. This means they can be used to reduce your corporation tax liability.

3. Increased Sustainability and Positive Environmental Impact

Solar power is about as clean as it gets where energy is concerned. After all, it generates electricity from the greatest heat source of them all: the sun. Once your panels are installed, your business’ reliance on fossil fuels will dip.

As a result, your business’ carbon footprint will shrink, helping you contribute to a greener, environmentally-friendly future. 

This will have a positive impact on multiple fronts, as it will help to improve the outward reputation of your company. Customers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and are more attracted to companies that take visible steps to reduce their environmental impact.

4. Future Proofing Your Businesses

With geopolitics, increased demand, and limited supply all affecting the energy market, costs are on a constant upward trajectory. It’s difficult to imagine energy costs plateauing, let alone falling. With a commercial solar panel installation, you can help your business fight back against these rising costs.

On-site solar electricity generation will help you on the way towards energy independence. Rising energy costs will have a minimal impact on your business, as you’ll be producing much of your own energy. 

5. Resilience to Outages

Power outages can shut down a business’ operation at any time; a la Heathrow power outage of March 2025. Even losing half a day’s work to a temporary blackout can have a significant impact on your business’ finances. Solar panel systems, if they have battery storage and a relay switch to isolate you from the grid, can ensure continuity during outages. 

6. Low Maintenance 

Once your commercial solar panel system is installed, it will require very little maintenance to do its job effectively. That’s not to say you’ll be able to leave it untouched for years, as it will require professional cleaning every one to two years. This will prevent dirt and dust build up, which reduces the amount of sunlight the panels can absorb. 

Servicing on a commercial solar system is only required every three to five years, or if there is a noticeable issue with the system. As many commercial buildings have flat roofs, solar panel servicing is much simpler than it would be on residential sloped roofs.

7. Compliance With Environmental Requirements

Businesses across Essex and the UK are required to be more transparent about their emissions as the UK aims to hit net zero by 2050. Having a commercial solar panel system, alongside other renewable energy sources, will help you meet any current and future guidelines regarding sustainability.