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Government Energy Grants – What’s Available
The default source of electricity has traditionally been from the national grid, generated from a range of fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas and oil.
Make an enquiry today and see if solar panels are suitable for your business premises and find out if you can get grants towards the cost of having them installed.
Having a percentage of your building’s energy generated by solar panels will hopefully encourage your employees and their families to learn more about how to produce renewable, sustainable energy and the benefits it can bring. They may consider getting solar panels themselves, and if more and more people make this transition, this can help make a difference in tackling climate change.
You will also be able to actively promote the green credential of you business and make customers aware that you are actively working towards decreasing your carbon footprint and taking pressure off the National Grid.
Solar panels are a low-carbon green option that can bring savings to businesses. Here are some of the pros and cons so you can make an informed choice regarding whether solar is right for your business…
The solar grants picture can be a little confusing, with numerous schemes closing or coming to an end or eligibility varying. Currently, there are no direct grants for businesses for solar installation. That said, those businesses who invest in solar panels could benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) which enables small low-carbon electricity generators to receive payments for the surplus energy they export back to the grid.
SEG payments are intended for small businesses that have a smart meter that enables any exports to be metered. Payments will vary according to the time of day, and suppliers have the ability to set the rate they pay to generators.
The SEG scheme is limited to small businesses with a solar panel installation that is less than 50Mw in size. This rules out very large solar installations, but for those who are eligible for the scheme, installing solar panels could net nice returns for many years to come.
If you don’t believe you will qualify for a grant then you can head over to https://business-solar.com for a quote.
Find out more information if one of these applies to you:
With a focus in the UK on moving away from fossil fuel heating and transitioning to more energy-efficient systems, low-carbon heating alternatives are becoming commonplace. Solar panels meet this goal perfectly and are a great investment for businesses if you have the right space on your roof or on your premises.
Unfortunately, not all business properties are ideal for solar panels. To get the most out of solar panels they need to be predominantly south-facing and the roof should be unshaded during the peak period for daylight (roughly 10am-4pm). That said, it is still possible to have east/west facing systems and generate a good 80%+ compared to a south-facing roof. Regardless of the orientation, your roof does need to be in good condition and the space needs to be quite sizeable to accommodate the solar panels.
The majority of business properties rely on burning fossil fuels or converting electricity into heat. Solar panels are a great option because they generate electricity using daylight as the source, so are a low-carbon, renewable energy. Not only can the energy produced heat power your business, but the excess can also be stored in batteries for use later, or can even be sold back to the grid.
The electricity produced by solar panels will have a direct impact on your electricity bills, though the savings will depend on many different factors. The size of your solar set up, local weather conditions, shading and orientation, your electricity use, how much of your workforce is in the workplace during daylight hours and therefore using the electricity that is being produced, are just some of the factors that impact on your savings. With energy bills generally on the rise, producing your own electricity with solar can have a positive impact.
Aside from the savings solar businesses would make by producing their own electricity, it is also possible to get paid for the excess energy you generate. Originally the Feed-in Tariff scheme provided financial incentives by paying for excess electricity from solar. This was closed to new applicants in March 2019 but has been superseded by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). It should be noted that SEG tariffs can differ widely between energy suppliers and the amount received for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated from solar panels, but not used. It is therefore recommended that you shop around for the best imported electric rates.
In the majority of cases planning permission is not usually required for solar panels installed onto commercial roof spaces. Solar panels will normally come under ‘Permitted Development’ if the installation meets all the conditions below
Ground-mounted solar installations also usually come under ‘Permitted Development’ when specific conditions are met regarding size, height, distance from the property boundary, and visibility from the highway if in conservation or world heritage site.
For business properties, the installation of solar panels will very much depend on the size and specific requirements. Commercial installations can take several days to be installed, and the bigger the premises, and therefore the amount of roof space, the more panels would be required.
It is worth noting that it doesn’t have to be sunny to generate electricity and that electricity will still be produced on dull days, admittedly at a lower rate. When you are not producing enough electricity to meet your demand, your business will just draw electricity from the grid in the normal way, as you did prior to solar being installed.
Solar panels should be expected to last between 20-25 years, but some manufacturers suggest in some instances this could be as much as 40 years. Over time efficiency can fall (reducing by about 15% over their lifetime) and inverters may need to be replaced, but overall the lifespan of solar panels is lengthy.
Make the first step towards lower energy bills and a much-reduced carbon footprint for your business.
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The default source of electricity has traditionally been from the national grid, generated from a range of fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas and oil.
In 2013, a scheme was introduced to the public called the Energy Company Obligation (ECO Scheme). The Energy Company Obligation put the responsibility of improving
Installing solar panels isn’t necessarily cheap but with grants available, and now 0% VAT payable on professional installations, solar becomes a much more affordable option.
*Annual solar saving/income with the Smart Export Guarantee in for a property in London where the householder is home all day (according to the Energy Saving Trust based on July 2024 fuel prices)
Solar Grants UK is a trading style of Lead Pronto Ltd, a Company registered in England & Wales, company number 11563815.
£10,000 in Free Grants to Install Solar in Your Home