Here at Kakakpo Energy, we’ve done the research on what solar panels mean for your business, including how they can help you to save on your energy costs.
Solar panels can be your own local, reliable resource that never runs out. The cost of installing solar panels for your business in the UK has reduced significantly over the last ten years. Meanwhile, their popularity has increased. More than ever before, more homes and businesses are taking advantage of the opportunity to lower their carbon footprint and reduce their dependence on the National Grid.
So how do solar panels even work?
- Solar panels harness light from the sun’s rays (not the heat!)
- They convert this power into energy, measured in watts.
- The suns’ energy is used for your business’s electricity or heating demands.
Installing a solar panel system would ensure that your business spends significantly less time connecting to the National Grid for non-renewable power. This easily reduces your carbon footprint by cutting your emission of greenhouse gases.
The power your solar panels produce can also be stored in a battery system for use later. And as you know, the sun is free, making solar energy one of the most cost-effective ways to power your business!
Where can I put commercial solar panels?
- The optimum area for solar panel energy is South facing. If your building’s roof is not the best option for you, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still generate free electricity.
- An East or West facing position is also completely viable if you want to install solar panels for your business.
- Another option is to install solar panels onto your walls instead.
- You can even have a floating solar panel system, connecting platforms over a body of water.
Consider where you would like your panels to be and learn more about the installation process in our 4 Easy Steps To Solar Power Systems for your Business.
Wherever you install your system, your solar panels will be working all year round to reduce your energy bills. Solar panels also contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of your business, bringing you closer to ISO:14001 Accreditation. We’re free to have a chat with you about this if you’re interested in learning more.
Do I need planning permission?
- No permission is needed for a solar panel system up to 9 square metres (3m x 3m). This is because it is classed as a ‘permitted development’.
- For large scale systems, an assessment needs to be carried out.
This is nothing to feel intimidated by; we are here to help you through the planning permission process. Our guide on Planning Permission For Commercial Solar Panels can give you more information. Whether you are buying or leasing your commercial system, through our partners we can guide you through the planning conditions.
Once you’ve installed your solar panel system, after the installation cost, your energy costs will be reduced because you are generating your own renewable energy supply. Find out more about our solar panel cost breakdown here.
How efficient are solar panels in the UK?
- This may sound surprising, but there is enough sun in the UK to provide sufficient energy to run homes and large businesses on solar power!
- The UK receives an average of 4 hours of sunlight a day. Even sunlight that humans’ eyes struggle to see. This free, renewable resource has the potential to generate an efficient electricity supply.
- Even on a cloudy day, the sun is still shining through the clouds and those wavelengths of light will still hit your panels and meet your business’s energy demands.
- We even get the same amount of solar energy as some parts of Spain and France!
Some of the Science
- According to Washington Taylor, a Professor of physics at MIT, the Earth is constantly receiving 173,000 terawatts of solar energy from the sun. That’s trillions!
- According to OfGem, the current industry demand for electricity is 117,149 gigawatts (GWh). This is only in the millions!
Whatever your energy demands, your business needs to run efficiently. This means having a strong source of power at the lowest cost possible. By using solar panels for your energy supply, you are accessing a free, renewable resource. Solar panels are not reliant on buying power from the National Grid, therefore significantly decreasing your energy bills.
Cleaning your panels
Solar panel systems are pretty low maintenance whilst generating your own supply of electricity;
- A clean down with some soapy water is enough to get rid of the dust and leaves which inevitably gather on your roof or walls.
- Cleaning your panels once a year or whenever you need to is just another way of making sure that nothing is stopping the sunlight from getting to your panels.
- Do this to protect their lifespan (which can be up to 30 years!)
It is possible to carry out this maintenance yourself however if you prefer, through our network of partners we can book someone to do this job for you.
What do I do with old panels if I replace them?
You know that solar panels are great for your energy costs and the environment when they’re working. Not only that; they can be recycled when they’re finished! Recycle them by contacting your installer or contacting us to take care of this for you. We can ensure that any old panels are properly recycled.
Make a Positive Change For Your Business
As awareness of the environmental impact amongst companies increases, renewable technologies has never been more popular and cost-effective. Now is a prosperous time to harness solar energy on a large scale that will generate the electricity supply of your business for you, reducing your energy bills.
Here at Kakapo, we work to bring your energy bills down with a cost-competitive solar panel system. Contact us and we’ll give you a free quote based on the energy demands of your business.