Why Your Business Should Consider Solar Panels
Switching your business to solar energy is one of the smartest long term investments you can make. Commercial solar panels help companies reduce energy costs, improve sustainability credentials and even generate additional revenue through excess energy sales. With UK business energy bills continuing to rise, adopting solar is not just environmentally responsible, it’s economically advantageous.
Key Benefits of Commercial Solar Panels
- Significant energy savings: businesses can save up to 70% on electricity bills.
- Return on investment: on average, commercial solar systems break even much quicker than domestic solar installations. Most see a return on investment within 10 years of installation, after this, the electricity your panels produce is pure profit.
- Enhanced ESG credentials: installing solar supports environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives.
- Customer appeal: consumers are increasingly preferring to do business with companies who are committed to sustainable practices.
- Income potential: surplus energy can be sold back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Investing in commercial solar can reduce operational costs, boost profitability and make your business more competitive.
How Commercial Solar Panels Work for Businesses
A medium sized commercial solar array (around 30kWp) can significantly reduce energy bills, with most businesses benefiting from a payback period of less than 10 years. For businesses that operate around the clock, solar panels combined with battery storage allow you to use solar energy even after your panels have stopped generating, making solar energy a flexible working solution for all business types.
Commercial Solar Panel Costs
The cost of installing solar panels depends on system size, energy requirements, roof space and shading issues. Your energy consumption and operating hours influence costs, business with higher daytime energy usage benefit most, as most solar energy is produced during peak working hours, whereas those that operate throughout the evening and night can install solar batteries. While installing solar batteries increases the initial investment, the return and savings can be significant if your business operates unsociable hours.
Planning Your Commercial Solar Installation
Most roof-mounted commercial installations fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning planning permission is not usually required. Ground mounted systems larger than 9m² will typically require planning permission. Always confirm requirements with your local authority before proceeding. Your local planning authority will be assessing the visual impact on the surrounding, community benefits and environmental considerations.
Financing Options for Commercial Solar
Installing solar can be funded in several ways:
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): pay for solar electricity without upfront installation costs. At the end of the contract, ownership of the system transfers to the business.
- Government grants and schemes: including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Low Carbon Workspaces and regional initiatives can offer grants for renewable energy upgrades.
- Tax incentives: capital allowances for businesses investing in solar energy to help offset costs.
- Finance options: at SolarTherm UK we offer finance options that can be offset against savings to minimise upfront costs.
Maintenance and Longevity
Commercial solar panels are low maintenance, requiring minimal cleaning to remove debris and professional inspections every 4 to 6 years. UK rainfall helps to naturally keep solar panels clean. Properly installed and maintained solar panels can last a minimum of 30 years before any noticeable loss of efficiency and will still continue generating a considerable amount of electricity for 40 years.
Popularity of Commercial Solar in the UK
Commercial solar is growing rapidly across the UK, with shops, schools, offices and warehouses all benefiting from solar installations. Large companies like Tesco and Amazon are installing solar across hundreds of stores and warehouses, generating thousands of MWh of clean green electricity and significantly reducing carbon emissions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also embracing the solar revolution for long term financial and environmental benefits.
Getting Started with SolarTherm UK
SolarTherm UK helps UK businesses of all sizes access reliable commercial solar installations. For over 15 years we have been installing the latest in solar technology, maximising savings for our customers, no matter the size of your business.
Contact SolarTherm UK for a free no obligation quote and design, tailored for your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice. Take control of your energy costs, enhance your sustainability profile and invest in your business’s future with commercial solar panels today.
Your business. Your energy. Your future.
