Solar Panel Grants for Businesses
Are solar panel grants relevant to your business?
-
Have business premises suitable for solar panels -
Want to produce your own electricity -
Want to be more eco-friendly -
Keen to reduce your energy costs
Get eco-friendly solar panels for your business
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.
- We put you in touch with trusted installers
- A professional solar panel specialist will contact you to discuss your requirements and whether solar is a suitable option for your business
- An appointment will be arranged to visit your business when it is convenient for you.
- You will be guided through the solar panel options and advised if there are any solar grants for businesses available that could help with the costs of your installation.
- An installation date will be set up, and once completed, followed up by quality aftercare.
- Our solar specialists are all fully accredited and qualified to give you peace of mind.
The benefits of using solar in your workplace:
- Generate your own solar power
- Cut your electricity bills
- Provide electricity for use throughout your workplace
- Get paid for the excess energy you generate
- Installation usually within 1-4 days depending on the size of your installation
- Low maintenance
- Reduced reliance on the national grid
- Cut your carbon footprint
- Add value to your business property
- Government incentives in the form of grants/funding
Why Solar Panels Are The Future For Business
- Greener alternative to other forms of heating such as gas, electric and oil
- Avoid escalating energy price rises driving up the cost of running your business
- Last for up to 25-30 years, although newer panels could last up to 40 years
- Low maintenance requirements
- Year-round operation
- Warranties lasting up to 20 years are normally provided
Lead by example
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.
Why Should Businesses Switch to Solar?
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…
Solar panels pros for businesses
- Eco-friendly – solar panels are a renewable form of energy and help reduce the impact your business has on the environment. By producing your own electricity through solar, you reduce the need for energy created from non-sustainable methods such as oil and gas and reduce your own carbon footprint.
- Improved reputation – With environmental concerns high on the agenda of many people, you can demonstrate your commitment to protecting the planet. This can boost your brand and appeal to customers who are increasingly looking to companies with a green conscience.
- Money-saving – by generating your own electricity, can reduce your company’s regular spending on other energy sources, such as gas or electricity.
- Low-maintenance – once installed, solar panels will continue to provide many years of service. The inverter, which converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), requires regular maintenance if efficiency is to be maintained, and should require replacing every 5-10 years, but the rest of the system largely looks after itself.
Solar Panel Cons For Businesses
- Set up cost – the upfront costs of a solar panel system can be a lot for some firms. A basic commercial solar panel system would usually cost around £16,000, although much larger and more powerful setups with greater capacity could cost upwards of £75,000.
- Requires location commitment – with the outlay you are required to make, and the difficulty and expense of moving your solar panels should your business relocate, getting solar panels should only be for those who are committed to their business being in their current location for some considerable time in order to fully realise the returns on your solar panel investment.
What sort of solar panel grants are available for businesses?
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.
Types of Solar Grants
Find out more information if one of these applies to you:
Business Grants
Disabled People
Pensioner Grants
School Grants
Veteran Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should businesses bother with solar panels?
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.
Are solar panels suitable for all properties?
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.
How green are 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.
How much will solar panels save me in the long term?
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.
Can I get paid for the excess energy my solar panels produce?
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.
Is planning permission required for solar panels?
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
- Pitched roofs: solar panels must not protrude more than 20cm above the roofline;
- Flat Roofs: The highest part of the solar panels must be less than 1m higher than the highest part of the roof (not including any chimney);
- Solar panels must be more than 1m away from the external edges of the roof;
- Solar panels should be set up to have minimal effect on the external appearance of the building.
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.
How long does it take to install solar panels?
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.
What happens when there’s not enough light to generate enough electricity?
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.
What is the typical life of solar panels?
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.
Customer Reviews
Gemma Chafer★★★★★ Read More
Great service, I’m really happy with the solar panels that I received. The tradesmen who installed them were quick, friendly and professional. Super service from each party.
Gerard Strain★★★★★ Read More
The surveyors, scaffolders, solar panel fitters and electrician were all very polite and efficient. The whole process was relatively easy and I’m looking forward to seeing a reduction in my electricity bills
Jacqueline Ignatovich★★★★★ Read More
I have recently had the solar panels installed and would highly recommend using this company, great work ethic and very polite. Very conscientious after care
Jake Lawrence★★★★★ Read More
Top notch. Had no problems at all during installation and all questions were answered and use of the system fully explained.
Jo Cullimore★★★★★ Read More
I have just had solar panels installed on a local authority scheme. The whole process with this company has been plain saling. No issue, polite, friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating and fast installation.
Find out how much your home could save with free funding and by going green.