Industrial Solar PV Installations – Saving Your Business Money
In a world where both energy demands and environmental concerns are skyrocketing, the case for switching to renewable energy sources grows ever stronger.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that solar power installations have increased by a mighty 929% since 2010, registering another significant uptick in 2022.
Solar energy isn't just beneficial for the planet – it's also a savvy financial investment for businesses looking to save money.
Let's further explore how industrial solar panels can save money and promote energy sustainability.
How Industrial Solar Panels Can Save You Money
Lower Electricity Bills
The first and most obvious benefit of installing solar panels is reducing electricity bills.
Industrial solar panels allow you to produce electricity, reducing grid dependency, and savings only increase as energy costs increase.
A 1MWp (approx. 2,500 panel) system saves roughly £200,000 per annum on average, with a payback period typically between 3-4 years.
Tax Incentives and Grants
The UK government has historically offered a range of schemes to assist firstly in purchasing solar systems and secondly in subsidising energy production to reward those generating renewable energy.
Currently, businesses can take advantage of the fact that solar panel investments are covered under the Annual Investment Allowance scheme.
Depreciation Benefits
A lesser-known financial incentive of investing in solar systems specifically for businesses is the benefit of claiming depreciation on installations as a capital expense.
This can substantially reduce your taxable income, enhancing cost savings.
Enhanced Brand Image
Businesses adopting solar energy can enhance their brand image both to other businesses, customers and potential partners or investors.
How Efficient are Industrial Solar Panels
Solar panels have evolved significantly over the past few years. Modern industrial solar panels boast energy efficiency of 18 – 24%, with most mid to high-end monocrystalline panels delivering efficiency at the top end of that scale.
Additionally, modern solar panels work well even in low light, for example, towards the afternoon and on overcast days.
Solar panels are exceptionally durable, typically working at near-max efficiency for 25 to 30 years with minimal maintenance.
The Steps of Solar Installation
Switching to solar isn't just about bolting metal and silicon onto your rooftop. It's a thorough process that requires detailed planning and skilled execution.
Here's a quick rundown:
Erect Scaffolding
Before anything else, scaffolding is erected to provide a safe working environment for installers.
Working at height is strictly regulated in the UK, so ensuring the scaffolding is safe, stable and frequently assessed for maintenance is vital.
Attach Roof Anchors
These anchors are the foundation for your solar panel system, ensuring it's securely attached to your building's structure.
Panel Mounts are Secured
Once the anchors are in place, the panel mounts are secured. These are what will hold your solar panels in place. It’s essential to ensure that the panel mounts are designed to hold the weight of the solar panels.
Panels Are Installed
Now, the actual solar panels are installed onto the mounts. The panels have to be aligned accurately to ensure maximum exposure to sunlight.
Once aligned, they're securely fastened to the panel mounts. Any errors could adversely affect the system's overall efficiency.
Inverter Is Wired to Panels
The inverter is a vital component of a solar system that converts the DC electricity generated by the solar panels into usable AC electricity.
It's wired up to the panels to ensure seamless energy conversion, which can be made available to the property’s electrical appliances.
Inverter Is Connected to business’s incoming supply point
Finally, the inverter is connected to the building's electricity supply, either directly into the main distribution board or into a separate sub electrical distribution board.
This is the point at which the newly converted AC electricity is integrated into your building's electrical system, allowing you to power anything from office computers to industrial machinery.
The system will also be connected to any metering and monitoring devices. Then, safety checks are performed to ensure that the electrical flow is stable and efficient.
Browse Industrial Solar Panels with a Trusted Installer Today
Solar panels have improved massively in the last few years and offer an excellent opportunity to equip your business with cheap, renewable power which pays for itself over time.
With generous tax benefits and the government’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), solar systems are a savvy business investment.
If you're contemplating equipping your business with solar panels, seeking a trusted installer is crucial.
An experienced professional installer will help design a solar system tailored to your business, including a thorough analysis of your energy consumption patterns, a site survey and an analysis of anticipated savings and ROI.