Commerical Solar Panels
Commercial Solar Systems
Solar PV systems are power systems that convert sunlight into electricity by utilizing the photovoltaic effect. This is a process in which semiconducting materials generate voltage and current when exposed to light. For real world applications, this effect is usually implemented with the aid of solar cells which are individual devices whose electrical characteristics vary when exposed to light.
These cells are usually made out of polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon and can be connected in series or parallel to achieve the desired voltage and current respectively.
In a solar PV system, the solar panel serves as the receptacle for sunlight and converts the incident photons to electric power. The energy produced by the panel is then converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) using a solar inverter. Other peripherals include: a battery bank for storing the power output. Solar PV systems can vary in size; from small roof-mounted installation with few panels and kilowatts capacity to large scale installations of several megawatts by utilizing large arrays of solar panels.
Is Solar PV worth it for my Business?
Solar panels should be the go-to energy generating solution for businesses across the UK. Not only do they help save money on energy costs, but they also help promote your business as a green pioneer.
The majority of businesses operate in the daytime, so it makes financial sense to switch to solar energy. And even if you operate at night, combining solar panels with solar batteries means you could continue powering your business after dark.
As renewable energy becomes an ever-greater share of the UK’s energy supply, more and more businesses will make the switch. Get ahead of the curve and use solar panels to power your business.
Will I need planning permission?
Permitted Development Rights were applied to solar PV systems installed onto commercial, industrial and agricultural roofspaces in England on the 6th April 2012. The key piece of legistaltion is The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2012.
Installing a solar PV panel system will now in most cases come under 'Permitted Development' if the installation is as below:
Commercial Roofspace solar panel installations
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Pitched roofs: The solar PV array must not protude more than 200mm above the roof line;
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Flat Roofs: The highest part of the solar PV array must be less than 1m higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney);
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The PV array must be sited more than 1m away from the external edges of the roof;
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As far as practicable the PV array should be sited to minimise the effect on the external appearance of the building.
Commercial solar PV canopies & carports
Planning permission is required before building carports, canopies, smoking shelters and other PV mounting structures that will serve commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings.
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What Maintenance will my PV system require
Very little maintenance
Once a solar panel system is installed, all it will do from then on is save you money. Solar panels last for decades, no matter which type, so the odds of having to replace one are slim.
Solar panels have no moving parts and are therefore often described as maintenance free. Of course, solar panels do degrade at varying rates but should always come with a minimum power output warranty for 20 years or more to ensure a high level of performance. They are famously resilient and on the slim chance that something does go wrong, most solar panel product warranties last 25 years.
The process of cleaning a Commercial Solar PV system is a simple one and no different from a traditional commercial window cleaning job, once safe and secure access is available to the solar panels. We normally recommend to our clients that this is done at least bi-annually and around Spring time if possible.
FAQ
Solar PV Benefits
Smart Export Guarantee
The Smart Export Guarantee came into affect in January 2020. The Smart Export Guarantee is an obligation set by the government for licensed electricity suppliers to offer a tariff and to pay small-scale low carbon Generators and Micro-generators for any electricity that they export to the National Grid.
Underpinned by the SEG Order and the SEG License Conditions, the Smart Export Guarantee is available for solar PV and other renewable power systems, sized to a total installed capacity of 5MW.
The Solar Trade Association is keeping a track on developments with smart export tariffs and prices.
Is the Smart Export Guarantee worth it?
The smartest way, is, was, and likely always will be, to install and use Solar Power yourself.
The Smart Export Guarantee is a positive development, but goes nowhere near far enough to reward or encourage prospective buyers.
That means the Smart Export Guarantee allows companies to buy electricity from you for, at most, 27% of the price they charge you.
Systems with battery storage are worth consideration to utilise as much of your own free energy as possible dependant upon your energy usage profile.
How much will it cost?
This is the million dollar question.
The short and honest answer is around £700.00 per kWp to around £900.00 per kWp on large commercial installations, but you need to consider a number of things before taking this figure into account, one of the most important questions should be ‘how much will a Solar PV system save me?’
The initial cost of a Solar PV system is affected by many things other than the cost of the equipment.
Your Solar PV installation will be made up of a mounting system, (fixed to your roof), Solar panels, (fixed to the mounting system), an inverter to connect the system to your business. These are easy to put a cost to, but each system will require different scaffolding, cabling and sometimes more labour to bring it all together.
We believe the best way is to have a proper survey carried out and a system designed on your specific requirements, get in touch to start the process
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We've significantly reduced our energy bill and we were cash-flow positive from day one
We didn’t pay up front for equipment and we've significantly reduced our energy bill and we were cash-flow positive from day one. Now around 60% of our energy use is renewable and we are doing our bit for the environment..
Stomping Ground Brewery
