October 14, 2024 Benefits of Solar PV
How can my business benefit from solar power?
Sustainability is a commercial imperative for businesses across the UK. It’s not just heavy industry or agriculture that need to meet tightening environmental regulations, nor is it just a ‘plus’ for businesses looking to ‘be greener’.
Dwindling fossil fuel resources and geopolitical uncertainty have long been causing unpredictable fluctuations in energy prices. Moreover, top-down measures to secure a ‘net zero’ future are turning from polite suggestions into law – from tighter reporting requirements to penalties for overconsumption from the grid.
For business owners, this all means that energy costs are only going up. That’s why you need an energy security strategy that puts you in control of your own electricity supply.
We will explain how solar power can help your business to do just that.
What are the benefits of solar power for all businesses?
Solar Power is one of the most rapidly advancing forms of renewable technology available to businesses. In fact, there are very few businesses that wouldn’t benefit from transitioning from fossil-fuel-generated electricity to solar power.
Why is it such an attractive option, even compared to other renewables?
- It provides the lowest-cost electricity per kWh of any energy source.
- That price is consistently low as it isn’t subject to fluctuations affecting the fossil fuel market.
- It has a long lifecycle and very low maintenance costs – for most systems, it’s just a matter of keeping the panels clean.
- You are entirely in control of your energy supply – you can run it off-grid, or connect it to the grid, and you may be able to enjoy incentives offered by your local utility company.
- Solar power isn’t just low carbon – it’s zero-carbon and non-polluting.
- There is 0% VAT on the installation of Energy Saving materials
Furthermore, the best-designed solar power systems can generate a rapid return on your investment – sometimes in as few as 3.5 years – meaning that you will effectively pay nothing for the electricity you generate from solar thereafter.
These benefits apply to every business that uses solar – but the perfectly-optimised system for a factory won’t be the same as it is for a service-focused SME.
There are, in fact, specific benefits for specific industries, as well.
Which businesses benefit – and how?
1. Warehouse/Industrial Agriculture
With lots of roof space in warehouses, barns and other storage/processing facilities, warehouses and industrial agricultural businesses can generate several megawatts’ worth of electricity from solar alone – completely independent of the grid. Furthermore:
- Warehouses, particularly cold-storage facilities, can run refrigeration using electricity generated from solar.
- Whereas barns keeping livestock can integrate a heat pump into their solar power system to control the climate for very little cost.
2. Manufacturing
Factories have solar power is even more urgent in industries where overconsumption can be penalised, often found in ‘volume tolerance clauses’.
- High-demand solar power systems can fulfil this energy requirement, but they can also be designed to work in tandem with other renewable sources – or the grid – and drastically reduce costs for running production lines
- Moreover, supplementary systems offered by Innasol, such as active monitoring, ensure that solar power output is optimised for the equipment that needs it the most.
3. Commercial
Both small and large businesses can operate entirely on solar, and if roof space is at a premium, small, highly-efficient panels are preferred. Larger businesses with their own facilities – or even a ‘campus’ set-up – can make solar a centrepiece of their renewable energy strategy, alongside heat pumps and wind turbines.
- Businesses can repurpose electricity generated from solar into an advertisable benefit – in the form of solar-powered eV charging stations for employees.
4. Hospitality and eco-tourism
Off-grid facilities have low electricity requirements, and solar can allow them to offer upscale home comforts without compromising a pledge to be sustainable.
- You can integrate a solar-powered heat pump to heat accommodations
- You can provide electrical power to guests, including underfloor electric heating, shower facilities and on-site cooking facilities.
Are you ready to take the next step?
These are just examples of businesses that can benefit – but nearly every business, regardless of what you do, can benefit from a transition to solar power.
With Innasol’s design-led approach, a dedicated project team with low overheads, and a longstanding network of trusted partners local to you, your solar power system will be designed to extract the maximum possible benefit for the minimum cost.
We’ll be able to calculate the energy you will be able to produce – and the return on investment you can expect.
Future-proof your business’s energy security strategy by getting in touch or calling 01621 892 613 today.
FAQs about the benefits of solar power for businesses in the UK
Yes – the project planning and design stages will factor in all considerations: including the anticipated cost of parts and labour, electricity generated and predicted return on investment. Our design-led approach to solar maximises the use of the sun for the maximum possible electricity at the minimum cost.
VAT for commercial solar installations is a standard 20%. A 5% rate applies on residential premises only. This can be offset effectively by other incentives available, such as local council or national loans and grants.
Yes, tariffs such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allow some businesses to sell electricity back to the grid. These rely on your business remaining connected to the grid and vary according to your utility company and energy generation capacity. We can explore your options in greater detail when planning your project.
Businesses can take advantage of a number of loans and grants to support a transition to clean energy with solar power. Such grants include vouchers for installing EV charging points (which can be powered by solar electricity) or SME loans for energy/carbon-saving upgrades (currently, Scotland only). Check Grants Online to see if there is local council support or incentives available for solar power in your area.
Solar power offers businesses a means to enhance sustainability and take control of their electricity supply. Rising energy costs, environmental regulations, and the shift towards a net-zero future and need to meet ESG targets make it crucial for businesses to invest in solar power as part of their energy security strategy. By harnessing renewable energy sources like solar, your business can significantly cut your carbon footprint, reducing environmental impact.
Solar power is a rapidly advancing renewable technology with several benefits for businesses:
– It provides the lowest-cost electricity per kWh, helping you cut electricity bills.
– Solar power prices remain stable, unaffected by fossil fuel market fluctuations.
– Solar PV systems have a long lifecycle and low maintenance costs, with no moving parts to worry about.
– Businesses can have complete control over their electricity supply, even producing excess electricity that can be sold back to the national grid through initiatives like the feed-in tariff.
– Solar power can help your business reach its maximum production capacity of clean, renewable energy, further reducing your carbon footprint and reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Various industries benefit from solar power:
Warehouse/Industrial Agriculture: These businesses can generate several megawatts of electricity from solar, run refrigeration using solar-generated electricity, and integrate heat pumps for climate control.
Manufacturing: Factories with high energy demand can use solar power to fulfil energy requirements, reduce costs, and optimise power output with systems like active monitoring.
Commercial: Small and large businesses can incorporate solar to lower energy costs, with larger businesses adding solar to their renewable energy strategy and offering solar-powered amenities.
Hospitality and eco-tourism: Off-grid facilities can improve the comfort of their guests with solar-powered amenities like heating and electrical power.
Investing in renewable energy sources like solar can have a positive impact on your business’s sustainability and environmental goals.
Ready to future-proof your business’s energy security strategy with solar power? Contact us today at 01621 892 613 to book a free solar survey, explore the potential benefits, calculate your expected energy production, and assess your eligibility for incentives and grants.
Review our other resources
- The Future of Solar Power Technology
- What return on investment can I expect from Solar Power
- How to understand and maximise the ROI of Solar Power for your business
- Solar Power Battery Storage – How To Make The Most Of A Solar PV Battery
- The Professional Surveyor Network – Why Surveys Make Better Solar Power systems
- A deep-dive on Solar Power in Scotland – What Businesses Need To Know
- 5 Things Businesses Need To Know To Make The Most Of A Commercial Solar Power System
- Solar Power for Agriculture – which businesses can benefit the most?
