ALREADY LOOKED INTO SOLAR PV? IT’S TIME TO LOOK AGAIN

There has never been a better time to invest in solar energy. As more organisations race to meet their net zero targets in the most efficient and cost-effective way, all eyes are on solar – and for good reason. As recently as the end of March, the UK government pledged to establish a taskforce and roadmap to drive the further growth of solar energy, and with the ongoing volatility of global energy markets and cost becoming a huge driver due to the impact of the war in Ukraine, more companies are looking to move away from gas. For many businesses, solar is becoming the go-to solution.

The Time Is Now

Controlling your energy also means having more control over your costs, providing more security and stability for your business. While investing in renewable energy solutions comes with upfront costs, the returns can be significantly higher – and quicker – with solar. Not only is the average solar installation paying for itself in just 4-5 years, but companies could also be halving the cost of their energy by generating it through solar panels compared to energy from the grid. And, with solar solutions having benefitted from technical improvements and economies of scale over recent years, initial upfront costs have also come down and are now less of a barrier for businesses.

What’s more, lingering concerns around solar investments not producing the required supply are no longer accurate – in fact, solar PV is one of the most advanced renewable energy technologies for built environments. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that the costs of solar PV have fallen by 82% over the last decade, while cell efficiency has also dramatically improved.

Action Vs Inaction

The versatility of solar energy is a real advantage. While some organisations use solar PVs to heat and power buildings, others can charge their EV fleets, which are growing in size ahead of the upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. With the energy markets’ increasing volatility, solar energy can enable an

Matthew Brailsford, Managing Director and Founder of Custom Solar, a Mitie company.

estate to become self-sufficient and eliminate reliance on third party sources and the uncertainty that comes with it. Mitigating risks, hitting decarbonisation targets, and adding value to a brand, all go hand in hand and can all be improved by transitioning to solar power. Beyond the obvious environmental benefit of transitioning across to solar, and the benefits of taking positive action now to achieve net zero goals on time, it is just as important to recognise the consequences of inaction. These days, on-site solar generation is a cost-effective, future-proof solution with secure prices and secure supply. But as the demand for green energy increases, organisations should not wait for costs to rise and as businesses compete for more grid supply. Inaction can also lead to long-term challenges, which could have otherwise been avoided. With government intervention and a recent push on green initiatives, leaving decarbonisation projects to a later date might incur legislative noncompliance, reputational damage, and huge capital investments down the line. Businesses that are keen to invest in on-site solar should do it fast.

The Steps To Solar Success

From getting planning permission or grid connections in place, through to installation and maintenance, there are several key stages to ensuring a successful journey to solar. Rather than jumping in headfirst, it’s important to analyse current energy consumption, starting with an initial survey to understand current energy consumption and where the opportunities are for solar installations. From there, solar specialists can prepare a custom design, taking into consideration commercials, space and sizing, to ensure both building owners and occupiers get the most out of the installation. Once the installation is complete, monitoring and reporting systems are put in place to ensure maximum value from the panels. With ongoing monitoring of the solar installation, which can be done remotely with the installation of sensors, maintenance teams can make sure the system is always performing at peak efficiency and anticipate any performance issues before they arise.

A Bright Future

More solar panels are being installed on UK rooftops than ever before, making it an exciting time for the industry, as one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. This popularity will only continue to benefit businesses too, as more investment will lead to further technological and financial improvements. This only highlights the strong appetite for these solutions – both from organisations and the Government – and the growing confidence in solar, which is hugely exciting for all involved. We’ve already seen so much progress in recent years, and this is only the beginning. www.customsolar.co.uk