UK Solar installers predict that the majority of installations that take place across the country in 2014 will be installed on the roofs of large commercial buildings. Warehouses, delivery depots and factories usually have large flat or shallow pitched roofs, making them an ideal candidate for solar PV mounting.

In addition to this commercial buildings are perhaps one of the best suited to Solar PV in the UK. Through the Governments Feed In Tariff scheme the owner of a building / solar PV array can be eligible to receive regular payments for generating their own electricity. Once the electricity has been generated then the producer will receive their payment no matter what, most businesses then find that they can dramatically cut down on their energy bills by using the electricity they have just generated to power lighting, computers or machinery; thus lowering overhead costs and increasing the profits and sustainability of the business. Most business pay in the region of 8-11 pence per kWh of electricity from the grid, the removal of a large portion of this cost can be a significant reduction is business running costs.

The major boost to the commercial PV sector is the ability for installers to per-register installs and secure certain tariffs for clients. Like any commercial building or renovation work, installing solar on a building roof can become a slow process and the ability for an installer to “lock in” a certain tariff rate for a client whilst hurdles are jumped can be a huge confidence boost for the client.

As the eyes of clients and consumers turn more towards sustainability a business taking steps to lower its carbon footprint can take the edge against similar priced competitors. Solar PV and in house energy production can make significant reduction you your businesses carbon footprint. Contact Carmichael Browns to take the first step and see how solar PV can help your business.