COMMERCIAL SOLAR PV STILL SAVING MONEY ON ENERGY BILLS AND IMPROVING GREEN CREDENTIALS SAYS NEW GUIDE FROM THE NATIONAL SOLAR CENTRE

The BRE National Solar Centre and the Renewable Energy Association (REA) have recently produced an in-depth report detailing the benefits of commercial solar PV installations, with particular reference to how UK businesses can utilise their roof space to generate income and improve their green credentials.

Released last week, the report highlights key factors that influence the commercial market including ownership structures, Feed-in Tariffs and project timescales. As a guide for owners and developers, it offers directors, senior management and business owners a comprehensive assessment of how best to utilise solar PV and effectively turn their roof space into a money generating asset.

As an active supporter of the solar community, CleanEarth were proud to contribute to the report by providing a case study on the Plymouth Life Centre (PLC), the largest roof mounted solar system in Plymouth and one of our most technical, challenging installations to date. The PLC install demonstrated an excellent example of a community project as well as use of the IET Solar PV Code of Practice, which the BRE acknowledged when selecting it to feature on the front cover of the report. An expanded case study of the project can be found here, and the full BRE Report can be downloaded here.

The BRE report supports the findings of the CleanEarth Energy Report 2016, published in June. Confirming our position as an innovative thought-leader within the market, our independent research also concluded that businesses are leading the way in recognising the benefits of green investment, whether that’s improving the bottom line of a business or the many intangible benefits to brand and reputation that environmentalism represents.

SMEs in particular have been demonstrating their own corporate and environmental responsibilities, which was proven when 88% of those surveyed agreed that businesses should strive to be environmentally responsible.

However, many stated that they had not invested in solar because of the expense of upfront costs. The BRE report analysed the different ownership models and their respective benefits and disadvantages, in order for directors and management to assess what best suits their own business.

We firmly believe that there is a distinct difference between the perceived costs of solar and the reality, having consistently fallen in price year on year. Investment in solar PV remains financially viable for many businesses, as well as the various other benefits that come with generating self-sufficient, green energy. Reports such as this from the BRE and REA will only help to improve the understanding of solar PV, and we are delighted to have been able to contribute.

 

 

You can download the CE Energy Report 2016 in full.