Clean Energy for Businesses

Delivering strategic direction for companies and their long-term energy needs

Tim Cook – Commercial Energy Consultant, Solarsense

Tim is a dedicated renewable energy consultant with more than a decade of experience in the sustainability & clean energy sectors. Below he describes the recent changes within the industry and provides his expert opinion on clean energy technologies.

What is your key role at Solarsense?

I work with a wide range of businesses stretching from farms and landowners to manufacturers and blue-chip companies to provide strategic direction for their long-term energy needs. Each client varies and therefore requires a different approach, the key is to audit their current energy use and formulate a plan to meet their business objectives using the best technology available.

What projects have you been working on recently?

As my clients vary day to day, so do the projects I’m working on. We’ve recently completed phase two of an exemplary project for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in which we utilised a number of solar carports to overcome an issue with limited roof space. Other notable projects include Renishaw Plc and Roscomac.

What advancements have you seen in clean energy technology recently?

Technology advances rapidly in the clean energy sector, we therefore work closely with our suppliers and manufacturers to ensure we are providing our clients with the very best equipment. Solar panel efficiencies have continued to increase at a rapid pace, whilst the price of manufacturing has dropped significantly. For example, there are panels on the market now with an output of 370W as standard, allowing for much more power generation and financial savings per square metre. This has lead to a number of clients, such as the Tracklements Company returning in recent months for system extensions. It is worth noting that adding more solar will increase your ROI without effecting your FIT payments.

There has also been a growing appetite for solar carports in recent months. With 4,500 electric vehicles being registered every month in the UK a number of forward thinking businesses are looking at solar carports as a means to charging their fleet of cars as well as powering their premises, (in many cases creating a new revenue stream in the process).

Do commercial solar panels stack up financially without the Feed-in Tariff?

Absolutely. Solar panels are a very sensible and long-term investment for businesses looking to future proof their energy costs and increase their bottom line. Sunlight is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation, your long-term electricity costs will be reduced considerably. Your installation will eventually pay for itself over time (usually within 6-7 years), the exact period will be determined by a number of factors such as the size of your array, roof orientation, shading issues and the brand of panel you choose.

Is there any financial support for installing clean energy systems?

Yes, whilst self-financing is the most popular option for purchasing commercial solar panels and offers the best returns over the lifetime of a system, we understand that many companies have restricted budgets or would prefer to spend their capital elsewhere and have therefore partnered with a number of financial institutions to offer a range of finance packages. We can offer detailed financial modelling for your renewable energy system. From asset finance, low cost APR loans and lease finance to a power purchase agreement (PPA), we will ensure you receive the best advice available and a bespoke finance package to suit your specific business.

Again it is worth noting that there are often grants available to improve the energy and resource efficiency of your business premises, such as the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme. The Carbon Trust is also offering interest-free loans up to a value of £200,000 for SMEs in Wales. Please contact us for more information regarding available grants in your region.

Is there any more information available to help me make a decision?

Yes, you can find more information on our website at clean energy solutions for businesses, alternatively if you have any questions or would like to organise a free desktop survey without obligation to buy, please email info@solarsense-uk.com and we will be in touch asap to discuss your options.