Solar power is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to tap into sustainable energy. Many installers just talk about residential solar energy systems, but here at Perfect Sense Energy, we like to ensure that commercial businesses and property owners aren’t forgotten. Solar panels could be just the upgrade you are searching for!
There are a ton of advantages to a solar energy system. If you want to harness the power of the natural world and bring your company in line with emerging guidelines and regulations, a solar panel system could be just what you are searching for.
Here are 10 advantages of solar energy that we think might bring you over to our side.
1. More affordable than ever
Solar systems are more affordable than ever, and they will keep getting more affordable as more developments in green tech are made. Now, we do want to stress that they are still an important financial investment that does require a fair chunk of capital, but there are now also plenty of financing options to help make these costs easier for you to manage.
We currently have 3 financing options open to help you get the perfect solar energy system for your company. Give us a bell, and let’s talk about how we can help you finance a solar installation for your property.
2. Gain savings and ROI
Though solar panels do require financial investment, they can deliver both savings and a good return on investment (ROI) in the long term.
Our data shows that the average 200kw solar array will save over £50,000 in one year, potentially delivering 30% ROI. We usually also see solar panel systems typically paying for themselves in 2.5 to 5 years after installation.
On top of this, solar panels will reduce your energy bills since you are not wholly reliant on power from the National Grid. The savings created as you generate electricity can be reinvested elsewhere in your business.
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3. Tap into renewable energy
The sun is a renewable energy source, and this means that we are never going to run out of electricity generated from it. So long as the sun continues to shine, so will we be able to harvest it!
Solar panels are a really easy way to tap into renewable energy. Wind turbines are often not practical, and reliance on other forms of renewable energy like hydropower still requires a connection to the National Grid. Solar electricity is by far the easiest way to get started with green energy production.
Though there are no distinct laws for reporting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts in the UK, many businesses are aligning themselves with green and renewable energy sources in anticipation of future legislative changes. This can also prove to be attractive to investors and potential partners who may be seeking contracts and opportunities with green-aligned companies.
4. Sunlight provides multiple options
One of the big solar energy advantages is that it can be used for multiple purposes. If you want to get that electricity bill down and pick up a few extra bonuses, solar panels might be a good option for you.
One type of solar panel has photovoltaic (PV) cells. This is the type you choose if you want to produce electricity (and if you want to know how that works, you can find out here!), and it can be used in the building when someone switches on a light, or it can be stored in batteries for later use. The other uses a heat-conducting liquid to capture heat that is then used to heat water to be used throughout your property.
Light and hot water solar panels are not the same, but they can be installed in the same array. You might want to focus on just one, but there are multiple advantages to choosing a system that can convert solar energy in different ways.
5. Solar panels are silent
Noise pollution can be difficult to manage. When you have a busy commercial property or warehouse where noise levels need to be managed carefully, you may not want to add in the noise of a heat pump. Heat pumps aren’t exactly loud—with most coming in somewhere between 40 and 60dB, about the same as a washing machine—but in an environment where sound has to be strictly controlled, it is one variable you may want to do without.
Since solar panels don’t have any moving parts, they are more or less silent. Since the installations are also frequently placed high on rooftops or away from buildings in clear, open areas, there is less of a chance of any sound produced by them interrupting your staff as they go about their daily business.
6. Always have a little bit stored up
You don’t have to use solar power as you generate it. By investing in solar energy storage alongside the panels, you have the option to store energy alongside what is generated by your solar system. This energy is then free to be used as you need it.
This can prove its worth if you ever lose connection to major power services, such as in the event of extreme adverse weather. Your batteries could be used in place of a diesel generator or some other power source to keep your lights on and critical functions running until major power can be restored.
7. Solar increases property value
Property values always need to be considered, even when it is commercial property! As with any other property, landlords and owners should think carefully about what they can do to improve the value of the premises while they own it.
Undertaking a project to improve a property’s minimum energy efficiency standards might include replacing windows or doors and adding LED lights. It could also include the installation of solar panels to help reduce energy consumption even further. Though the initial cost of this project might be high, it can often be more cost-effective to make updates in one go rather than cost out the project into pieces.
8. Solar panels work in all weather
We get it, the weather in the UK isn’t great. However, you don’t need bright sunshine all year round for solar panels to work. Yes, they might be a bit more efficient on sunny days, but they still work even when it is overcast.
That includes the depths of winter. Though you may have to clear a heavier snowfall of solar panels (if only to prevent the heavy build-up of snow on your roof), your panels should still be generating electricity even in the middle of a winter storm.
9. Easy to scale up
A big advantage of a solar array is how easy it is to scale up. Understandably, you may only want to commit to a few panels initially. However, when you see how much electricity is generated from what you have, or when those lower electricity bills begin to come through, you may decide that you wish to expand your system.
Perfect Sense Energy can help you install your first bank of solar panels, and we will be waiting for your call to help you expand them too. No matter how many you want to add or where you want to put them, we will work hard to make your solar dreams a reality.
10. Long lifespan, minimal maintenance
Installing solar panels is a great option for many businesses simply because they require minimal effort to maintain once they are installed. They are hardy pieces of equipment that you can expect to keep working for 15 or more years, generating lots of renewable energy for you throughout their working lives.
If you do need any help with maintenance and repair work, Perfect Sense Energy’s experts will be standing by to help you out. Solar panels should require minimal maintenance throughout their lives, but we will be there to help out if something does go wrong.
Are there any solar energy disadvantages?
We would be amiss if we didn’t discuss some of the disadvantages of solar panels, too. Though we are fully in favour of them, there are a few drawbacks we thought we would mention just to give you the fairest picture of this aspect of renewable energy.
High initial cost
Yes, the initial cost of a solar panel system can be quite high. This will not be a cheap investment for your business to make, so careful consideration should be put into the decision. Most solar panels can be financed to help manage the cost, and they will pay for themselves over time.
Space requirements
Solar panels require adequate space, ideally on a rooftop or in some other open area where they can gather photons easily. If trees or nearby buildings cast shadows on the panels, they won’t be as efficient. This is why the placement of solar panels can be of paramount importance, but our experts will choose the right direction and location for your solar panels during your consultation and installation.
Manufacturing emissions
The manufacturing processes used in the construction and assembly of the solar panels themselves do have some carbon emissions. For very, very eco-conscious companies, the materials and by-products used when making solar panels might cause some hesitation. It is important to remember that solar panels have a carbon payback period of about 1-4 years, meaning that your panels will produce more energy across their life than was needed to create them.
Add a solar array to your property now
As you can see, there are so many advantages to solar energy systems. Though they may be expensive to install, a high-quality system should pay itself back in a fraction of its overall lifetime.
Our team of experts is ready to help you make the switch to solar energy now. Still on the fence about whether or not this could be the right choice for you? Take a look at some of our case studies to explore how we have helped transform the carbon footprint of our clients.
