Want to make the most of solar next summer? The time to start planning could be sooner than you think.
In our latest blog, we look at why businesses should start to plan in the winter to maximise the benefits of next years’ summer.
Introduction
When we think about solar energy, it’s easy to think about sunshine, long summer days and panels generating electricity from early morning until evening, however, if your business is considering installing solar PV, the best time to start thinking about next summer’s solar generation may actually be during the winter months.
That’s because installing a commercial solar PV system isn’t something that happens overnight. From the initial assessment and system design through to approvals, planning, procurement and installation, there can be several stages to work through before your panels are generating electricity.
Starting the process early means your business can be ready to take advantage of the longer, brighter days when they arrive.
Solar planning takes time
Every commercial solar PV project is different. The size and type of your premises, your electricity consumption, available roof space, the condition of the building and the system you need will all influence how a project is designed and delivered.
Before installation can begin, there are several important steps to consider, these can include:
- Assessing your building and existing electrical infrastructure
- Understanding your current and future energy usage
- Designing a solar PV system around your business’s requirements
- Assessing the available roof space and orientation
- Considering grid connection requirements
- Completing the necessary technical and regulatory processes
- Obtaining relevant approvals
- Ordering equipment and coordinating installation
- Planning the installation around your business operations
For a commercial installation, getting all of this right is important. Solar PV should be designed around how your business actually uses energy, rather than simply installing as many panels as possible.
That means the earlier you start the conversation, the more time there is to properly assess your requirements and develop the right solution.
Why does timing matter?
Solar PV can generate electricity throughout the year but generation is typically much higher during the brighter months.
The longer daylight hours of spring and summer provide greater opportunities for a solar PV system to generate electricity, helping businesses reduce the amount of electricity they need to purchase from the grid.
For businesses with significant daytime electricity demand, this can be particularly valuable.
Think about a typical working day during the summer. Your business may be operating machinery, lighting offices, running computers and IT equipment, powering refrigeration or ventilation or charging electric vehicles.
At the same time, your solar panels could be generating electricity on site. This was particularly evident in our recent case study with North East manufacturing company, Lynx Precast, as the company looked to utilise their factory to generate 272,283 kWh per year.
The more of that electricity your business can use directly, the less electricity it may need to buy from the grid but to benefit from that summer generation, your solar system needs to be installed and operational and that’s where winter planning comes in.
It might seem logical to start thinking about solar when the weather improves and everyone starts talking about sunshine and energy generation, the problem is that by waiting until spring, you could already be several months behind.
Commercial solar projects require careful planning, and installation dates need to be coordinated with suppliers, installers and your business operations. Depending on the project, there may also be technical requirements and approvals that need to be completed before work can begin.
Instead of waiting for the first sunny days of spring to decide whether solar is right for your business, you can use the quieter winter period to explore your options, understand the potential benefits and begin the process. That could put you in a much stronger position to have your system generating electricity during the following summer.
Make your roof work harder
For many businesses, the roof is an underused asset. Large commercial and industrial buildings often have significant areas of roof space that could potentially be used for solar PV.
Installing solar can turn that unused space into an opportunity to generate electricity on site and reduce reliance on electricity from the grid but it’s important to look beyond the panels themselves.
A successful solar project starts with understanding your business. How much electricity do you use? When do you use it? How might that change in the future? Is your roof suitable? Would battery storage be beneficial? Could you combine solar with electric vehicle charging?
These are all questions worth considering before a system is designed.
Start now, benefit later.
The key message is simple: summer solar benefits start with winter planning.
If solar PV is something your business has been considering, now is a good time to start the conversation.
By beginning the process during the winter, you can give yourself time to assess your requirements, explore the potential return on investment and work through the practicalities of installation without rushing the decision.
Most importantly, you could put your business in the best possible position to start generating your own electricity when those longer summer days arrive.
Don’t wait for summer to start thinking about solar. Start planning now, so you’re ready to make the most of it.
Ready to explore solar PV for your business?
AR Power works with businesses to design and install commercial solar PV systems tailored to their energy requirements.
If you’re considering solar for your business, get in touch with the AR Power team to discuss your requirements and start planning for the year ahead.
