Offices that have vast amounts of unused roof space are highly suitable for solar panel installation. With the high energy bills involved in running your office day-to-day, offices are a great facility/property for the consideration of solar PV systems. These systems provide financial savings on your energy bills each year, increase the green credentials of your business and provide energy independence from dependency on the national grid.
SolarSense provides offices with comprehensive solar PV systems as well as solar battery storage, should this be required. We will design, install and manage/maintain your solar panel system. We offer a range of finance options, including 100% asset finance and a competitive power purchase agreement (PPA).
Secure and low-cost electricity for your offices
Offices (especially larger premises) use a significant amount of electricity each year. When relying on large energy suppliers for electricity costs, you are exposed to variable rates, and significant increases can cause a large and unexpected hike in your monthly costs. Installing solar PV systems provides secure and low-cost electricity for your office premises and secures you against price uncertainty. The speed of the return on your investment will depend on how large your premises are and the orientation of your roof, with the most efficient and large systems typically seeing free electricity generation after 5-6 years.
Is the roof of my office appropriate for solar panel PV installation?
Solar panels are best installed on south-facing roofs, but can also be installed on east and west-facing roofs. Your roof will be appropriate provided it doesn’t have any obstructions on the roof and that it is not north-facing or has shade (the system will not be efficient enough to warrant installation). If your roof is showing signs of wear or structural damage, then it may need to be repaired or reinforced before solar panels can be installed. The weight of the solar panel system could cause further damage or even collapse due to weakened roofs. If your roof does require repair or an upgrade, we can install your solar panels alongside this.
Solar carports for offices
Solar carports are a great way to upgrade your existing car parking spaces on-site and produce additional revenue for your business, should you decide to monetise your electricity charging points. Solar carports are dual-purpose, standalone structures that provide a shelter for staff and client vehicles. They also generate electricity with solar panels, and you can then use this free electricity on-site and/or use it to charge electric vehicles. We can match many different styles of car parking spaces to integrate your solar carport into your premises seamlessly. You can also choose to install gutters to harvest rainwater, and solar carports can be branded with your company’s colouring and logo.
Solar carports can increase land value and create revenue opportunities for site operators from EV charge-points, branding and advertising. They are a great solution for offices and can help with the adoption of electric vehicles for your company.
Reducing your electricity costs while improving overall bottom-line revenue
Data from the Carbon Trust states that 20% of cuts in energy costs represent the same benefits as a 5% increase in overall sales. You are not only reducing your electricity bills, but you are also futureproofing and fixing your energy costs for the foreseeable future. You are able to generate and store electricity on-site.
Solar battery storage for offices
Solar batteries can be installed alongside new solar PV systems and can be retroactively installed into current systems. Solar batteries allow you to store electricity that is generated for later use, and you can also utilise the battery to store off-peak, cheaper electricity from the grid in the winter or if you cannot supply 100% of your electricity needs with your solar panel system. Your solar battery will charge, and then you can choose when you want to use the electricity from your battery. The inverter will then convert DC to AC to power your office.
Solar batteries provide even greater energy independence and are highly recommended to be installed alongside a solar PV system. Solar batteries increase your energy savings further and provide additional ways to take advantage of cheaper electricity.
What are the different ways to finance solar PV for my office?
Self-financing (CapEx) is the most popular option for purchasing solar panels for businesses and organisations. This offers the best financial returns over the lifetime of the system and significantly shortens the payback period.
Renewable energy asset finance is often used to secure funding for tangible assets. It’s a great choice for those who want significant cash flow and tax advantages. SolarSense works with a network of long-standing finance partners to provide asset finance solutions.
Solar as a service provides clean energy, no upfront costs, and immediate savings on energy bills. No capital expenditure is required, and you will receive immediate savings. We provide a fully managed system with an end-to-end service, including monitoring and servicing. You can lock in stable pricing, protect against energy market volatility, and simplify long-term budget planning.
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) have become one of the most popular ways to finance solar panels. If your energy usage and roof space meet specific criteria, this solution allows you to benefit from a free solar PV installation, financed by a PPA provider. You find a system that best suits your office, and then the solar panels are installed at no cost to you. You then purchase the power generated at an agreed, lower rate. The PPA provider owns, maintains, and upgrades the system for the duration of its lifetime and the lifetime of the agreement.
Increasing the green credentials of your office and business
Sustainable offices are on the rise, and environmental responsibility is a large factor for many different businesses. Companies that invest in their own clean electricity, when compared to those that buy from the grid, increase their company’s corporate image and create an effective PR tool that can be used for marketing and more.
Everything you need to make an informed decision
How do I assess my company’s suitability for solar panels?
Solar panels are ideally suited for businesses that want to reduce their energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. If you have a large amount of unused roof space, then you are likely suitable for solar panels. With a variety of methods available to finance your solar panel and/or battery storage system, it’s a great time to consider solar panel installation for your business.
Your roofspace needs to be free of obstructions and be a south, east or west-facing roof. South-facing roofs are the most efficient as this will see the most average exposure to sunlight each year.
- Investment case for rooftop solar power in Warehousing
Where we’ve increased corporate sustainability
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