Commercial Uses of Solar Panels
Organisations, whether large or small, are constantly being encouraged to change to solar energy from their dependence on fossil fuels. There are many uses for solar panels in commercial settings as they provide electricity to power equipment and they reduce their reliance on electric power from the local power grids. Companies can select from a large variety of solar panels. For instance, they may choose to install photovoltaic panels which comprise of monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous silicon solar panels among many other types. Solar panels can be installed in areas such as roof tops of buildings or they can be mounted on the ground where sunlight cannot be obstructed by trees, buildings or other types of shade.
Commercial Solar Panel Costs
Solar panels cost around £5,500 to £16,250 and above depending on the number of solar panels, the installation costs, the amount of electric power that needs to be generated, and the kW rating of the system. For example, a 4 kW solar panel system costs between £14,250 and £16,250, and this includes the cost of the panels, inverter, batteries and installation. A 10kW commercial solar panel system can cost around £35,000 installed in the UK. If they cannot fully cover all costs, businesses can apply for loans or government grants to help them cover the fees of buying and fitting solar panel systems.
Solar Panel Upkeep
Solar panels are durable, therefore they are able to withstand severe weather conditions and still work according to specification. Soot, dust or grime may settle on top of the panels and their efficiency may reduce, so they need regular dusting to keep their productivity high. Regular inspections of the panels can help spot any problem areas which can be handled before they worsen. The best solar panel brands come with a 25 year performance warranty when purchased offering piece of mind for those businesses wanting to make sure that their solar panel system stays as efficient as it was designed to for its entire life.
Benefits of Solar Panels
Organisations that use solar power can benefit from government incentives such as the Feed-In Tariff scheme. Through this system, a business can make money depending on the amount of energy their solar panel system produces. Such government incentives are available to help more businesses invest in solar power, and there are various businesses that make money yearly due to this incentive. Companies that switch to solar power can generate up to 30% of their electricity from the sun, and they will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 5% each year. Solar energy is renewable, unlike fossil fuels which are limited in quantity. Solar power can be used in all types of businesses, such as car washes, gyms, restaurants, hospitals, in parking lots, office buildings, factories, spas and hotels, just to name a few.
