The UK is installing more solar panels than any other European nation. As domestic solar panels become more popular with homeowners, many people also turn to commercial solar to power their homes and businesses. Low Carbon Energy can confirm the latter. We’re busy installing solar PV for businesses throughout the North West, in a variety of industries.
The UK is installing more solar panels than any other European nation. As domestic solar panels become more popular with homeowners, many people also turn to commercial solar to power their homes and businesses. Low Carbon Energy can confirm the latter. We’re busy installing solar PV for businesses throughout the North West, in a variety of industries.
Why then is Britain so positive about solar panels for commercial use? There are many reasons – some universal, and some specific to the UK. They are listed below. But let’s begin with the most basic question you might be asking…
Can solar panels be used on cloudy days?
Yes. They transform light into energy, not heat. This is why they are so useful for UK customers, despite the fact that we have a reputation for being mild and overcast. You can be sure that your solar panels will still collect energy even on rainy day. Actually, the moderate climate can actually be in our favor. Our panels are more efficient because we receive about 60% of solar radiation from the equator.
Because of this, the UK’s solar energy collection and usage is comparable to that of France and Spain. Some areas of the South receive roughly the same level of sunlight as Germany. Germany is the world’s largest market for photovoltaics. We’re already at the point where we can produce more electricity with renewables than from nuclear power plants.
A quick timeline of solar PV installation in the UK
2010 – UK government launches Feed In Tariff, which allows customers to directly profit from solar PV by selling excess energy back to the government. (This scheme was replaced by Smart Export Guarantee by 2020.
2013 – In 2013, the UK had already become the 10th largest global producer of solar energy. (Follow seven years and you’ll see that we’re now at number six, just after the US, China, Japan, Germany and Germany.
2016 – Britain surpasses a milestone in solar power installations, with a quarter of amillion (250,000) UK homes having some type of solar thermal panels.
2018 – UK solar power almost doubles, as more businesses take advantage of this opportunity. There are currently around 709,000 new installations in homes, offices, and dedicated solar farms.
2020 – The UK was expected to have 10,000,000 solar panels installed on homes across the country by 2020. That would mean that around a third of UK households will be using solar power. Like almost everything else in life, the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down further progress but not slowed the UK’s enthusiasm about solar.
The UK is seeing a rapid increase in solar PV installations. This goes well beyond the UK. London is now second only to Madrid when it comes to solar energy, and it’s becoming increasingly popular among businesses in the North West. Low Carbon Energy is a planning, supply and installations company that provides services to companies and organizations across many sectors, including industrial businesses, healthcare, aviation, and data centres. (This is made possible by the Smart Export guarantee, which the British government encourages the uptake of solar power. We’ll discuss this in more detail below.
This country’s enthusiasm for solar energy is mirroring that of many other countries around Europe and the rest of the world. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, solar (both solar and photovoltaic) will surpass fossil fuels and other renewable resources like wind and water. That would make it the world’s biggest energy source. If the UK keeps its current pace, it’s likely that we will continue to be one of the most prominent nations in the sun revolution.
Why are solar panels so in demand in the UK?
Apart from the many key benefits of solar panels, there are many other advantages that make them appealing to homeowners and businesses in the UK. These benefits include practicalities, cost savings, wider economic factors, changing attitudes towards climate change, and other environmental concerns.
Solar panels are a popular choice in the UK due to the following reasons:
The solar panels can help you save significant money on your electricity bills
Smart Export Guarantee allows owners the opportunity to make a profit from any excess electricity they generate
Solar is sustainable and environment-friendly, helping to achieve green targets
Modern shoppers are more becoming environmentally-conscious
Solar is becoming more affordable
Solar power creates employment and decreases the UK’s dependence on imported energy.
Solar panels can be maintained easily and cheaply.
It is a valuable source of energy for customers who are ‘off the grid’
The solar panels can help you save significant money on your electricity bills
Solar panels are a great way to save money. This is a major benefit of UK solar panels, both for individuals and businesses. Their cost is largely covered upfront, as well as the minimal investment required. Instead, they generate free energy for their entire serviceable life, helping owners offset energy bills and save considerable money.
As panels become more affordable and more efficient, so is the price of solar. (We’ll get to that in a moment).
Smart Export Guarantee allows owners the opportunity to make a profit from any excess electricity they generate
The Smart Export Guarantee is an initiative by the UK government to encourage solar PV installation. It gives owners the opportunity to profit from excess electricity they don’t use and allows them to sell it to their energy supplier. SEG replaced the Feed In Tariff in 2020.
The main difference between the SEG & FIT was that the Feed In Tariff allowed customers to sell electricity directly back at the National Grid, at rates determined by Ofgem. SEG permits customers to sell their excess energy back to their supplier. This encourages them to offer the most competitive prices.
Solar PV allows owners to increase energy independence and security.
Solar PV owners are less dependent upon the National Grid when they have an on-site source of electricity. In addition to the obvious cost savings, owners of solar PVs can also benefit from having an on-site source of electricity. This provides owners with an effective way to protect themselves against power outages and gives them an alternate source of energy in an emergency. This is especially important for businesses, as any downtime can lead to hugely negative costs. Being able to prevent that can help preserve productivity and help you save a lot of money.
It’s an environmentally-friendly, sustainable source of power
This is another advantage of solar power. The best best solar panel companies London install solar panels which emit no harmful gases or pollutants, which is a big advantage over fossil fuel energy. This is a huge advantage for UK-based businesses as it allows them decrease their environmental impact and helps them meet their sustainability goals.
UK public attitudes are changing
Organisations in countries like the United States are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.
We previously wrote about how UK citizens see a new normal. 51% responded to a YouGov study and said that they noticed cleaner air outside. Recent satellite images also show an increase in emissions. Many members of the public already plan to make changes in their lives to ensure this new normal. They also expect the same from the businesses they shop at.
Companies must now demonstrate corporate social responsibility. Businesses that can prove tangible green credentials have an advantage over their competitors.
The UK solar PV price is falling steadily
The UK’s sun-power market is competitive and technology is getting cheaper, more efficient, and easier to access than ever. The Feed In Tariff program was first introduced in 2010 and a 4kW PV installation cost approximately PS20,000. In 2017, the average cost for a similar-sized installation was about PS6668, which is about 67% less than the original cost. However, this does not compromise on the return solar panels provide for customers.
Statkraft, a renewable energy company claims that the lifetime cost of solar PV will drop by approximately half in the next few decades. While solar panels may not be as flexible in their price as gas or other fossil fuels, it is expected that they will become one of the most cost-effective energy sources by 2030. It is expected to make up about 70% of UK’s power generation by 2050 making it more attractive than ever.
This industry creates jobs and reduces UK dependence on imports
The UK’s sunpower industry encompasses many disciplines and specialisms. These include installation, maintenance, distribution, and manufacturing. This allows the UK to create thousands of jobs within the energy sector, helping to secure domestic energy prices and supply. The UK is able to import less electricity from overseas as an added bonus. If the government is supportive and there is growing public confidence, solar energy could provide around 50,000 jobs in the UK by 2050.
Solar PV panels are extremely easy to maintain
After they are installed, commercial or domestic solar panels require very little maintenance. They require very little maintenance, other than occasional cleaning and replacing inverters and cables. The majority of these parts will last 25 to 30 year before they have to be replaced. The solar panels can be a cost-effective and long-term investment for businesses.
Customers who are ‘off the grid” can get solar energy
The benefits of solar PV systems are especially useful for individuals, businesses, and organisations that live in areas far from standard infrastructure. Solar panels are flexible and accessible, so they can be used in almost any place that receives enough sunlight.
