Commercial Solar Panels Essex: Benefits, Costs, and Savings

Commercial solar is increasingly considered by organisations that want to generate electricity on site, reduce imported electricity and support their carbon plans. The business case still needs to be tested against the individual building and electricity profile.

In this article, we'll run you through the benefits of commercial solar installation. We'll also outline the installation costs and savings you'll make on your electric bills.

A commercial solar installation uses photovoltaic modules to convert daylight into electricity for use within an organisation’s premises, with eligible surplus potentially exported to the grid.

Commercial systems vary widely. Panel count cannot be estimated reliably from the number of bedrooms or a broad label such as “medium-sized business”; usable area, module dimensions, structural capacity, electrical demand and network constraints must all be assessed.

Many businesses are ideal for solar power because they have an abundance of space and in many cases, a flat roof. These include farms, office buildings, warehouses, and educational institutions.

Commercial solar has benefits that extend much further than being an environmentally-friendly source of energy. Let's take a closer look.

Solar generation used on site can reduce imported electricity. The saving depends on how closely the generation profile matches demand, as well as tariffs, system performance and any export or storage arrangement.

Solar power will also future-proof your business against fluctuating energy prices. Sudden spikes in energy costs are not uncommon, and can throw a spanner in the works of your budget. By generating your own energy, the effects your business feels will be minimal.

Solar panels generally have limited moving parts, but maintenance should be based on manufacturer guidance, system monitoring, electrical inspection, roof conditions, access and the local environment rather than a universal interval.

Well-maintained solar panels will last upwards of 25 years, providing you with constant and reliable solar energy.

Installing solar panels on your commercial property will help push your company towards a greener future. Solar is a form of renewable energy, meaning it won't run out, unlike fossil fuels. It doesn't generate greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the air and warm the planet. By utilising solar panels, you'll lower your business' carbon footprint while you save money and the planet.

Here are some other benefits that solar panels for businesses have to offer:

Generating income: By utilising the government's Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, you can sell excess electricity back to the grid. You'll receive payments in return, without having to do anything.

Resilience to power outages: Local power cuts can ruin a work day, costing you money. With solar power and a commercial solar battery, you can conserve energy to use as backup.

Compliance with targets: The UK Government has set a target to become carbon neutral by 2050. This is likely to prompt strict regulations on UK businesses. Installing solar panels early will save you from increased supply and demand costs down the line.

The cost of a commercial solar panel installation will vary greatly depending on the size of your property. Smaller buildings will require fewer panels, and therefore material and labour costs will be lower. However, if the installation is taking place in a difficult to reach area, costs will be higher.

Here are some average prices for different-sized buildings:

A larger system does not automatically produce a shorter payback. Payback depends on the installed cost, annual generation, proportion used on site, avoided import tariff, export income, finance, operating costs and future assumptions.

Let's look at how much you can expect to save with a commercial solar system.

Once again, the amount of money that you'll save with commercial solar comes down to the size of your system. Remember, savings will vary depending on location, sunlight exposure, and how well-maintained the panels are. Here are some average annual and lifetime savings for different-sized buildings.

• Usable roof or land area, shading and structural constraints

• At least 12 months of consumption data and half-hourly data where available

• Forecast generation and on-site consumption by time period

• Import tariffs, export assumptions and any battery strategy

• Full project cost, finance, operating costs and inverter allowances

• Network, planning, fire-safety, access and roof-maintenance requirements