Commercial Solar FAQs

Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. Most solar systems use photovoltaics (PV), which are cells that absorb solar energy, creating electrical charges that respond to the cell’s internal electrical field, creating electricity. Some solar panels use Concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). These systems use mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto receivers and transform it into heat, which can then be turned into electricity. CSP systems are usually used for very large commercial applications.

We aim to have no disruption to your day-to-day operations during the whole installation process. Our Project Manager will work with you and your teams to ensure there is no disruption, and can carry out potentially disrupting activity outside of hours such as in the evenings or at the weekend.  

The Feed-In-Tariff provided payments to organisations that generated solar energy and sold excess solar power to the National Grid. The UK Government ended the Feed-In-Tariff in 2020, but it has been replaced by export tariffs, which are offered by energy companies. 

We will design an optimised system so you dont send a lot of energy back to the grid. We can introduce you to external companies to help you organise the best export tariff.

When we provide you with your proposal a certain percentage of the solar generated by your system will be exported back to the grid.

It is possible to be paid for this energy from an energy provider however this is up to the owner of the solar PV system to arrange.

We can put you in touch with independent consultants who can assist you with setting this up if required.

Commercial solar panels can last as long as 40 years, but the average lifespan of a solar panel system is around 25-30 years. The lifespan of your panels can vary depending on a range of factors, including how well they are cared for over the years and the quality of the materials used. At AR Power, we source only the best solar panel technology for our clients and focus on providing solar panels that will generate solar power for many years to come. Our systems require little maintenance besides cleaning, and our team is on hand to offer support if any issues arise.

AR Power can help you maintain your solar PV system, ensuring you are getting the best return on your investment and that everyone and your building is safe.

Solar solutions can be installed on a leased or rented commercial building, but you will need permission from your landlord. Most landlords are happy for companies to embrace green energy by installing solar panels, but always check first and get permission in writing where possible.

If you are opting to fund your system through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), you may need to workout additional legalities before contracts are signed which could add a little more time to the planning and preparation stage.

Every commercial solar project is unique and it is not possible to give a ball park figure due to the many variables involved when quoting for projects.

Our design team look at everything, not just the panels and the inverters, but the cost of the scaffolding, safety equipment, any G99 DNO application fees, permanent access and more. 

We would also need to look at your half-hourly data and your consumption from the grid to determine what size system you will need.

They type of technology we use depends on our customer requirements, for example, some system configurations may cost more than others, however they may perform better and have more features. 

but the typical costs you’ll have to pay initially are payment for the panels and installation costs. The initial fees for the panels and installation costs will depend on the system size, the position of your roof and the mounting system you choose. Once the solar panels are installed, they will incur maintenance costs, including regular cleaning. However, solar panels can significantly reduce energy costs for your business, meaning the initial price and ongoing fees will be offset by the cost savings you incur over time. The bigger your electricity consumption, the larger the initial cost, but also the more your company can save over time with a commercial solar system.

The UK Government has put in place a moratorium on VAT on solar panels for residential properties, but this does not extend to businesses and charities. As such, companies will have to pay the standard rate of 20% VAT for commercial solar panels. However you may wish to discuss this with your financial representative to ensure there are no recent changes within the UK Government.  

You should inform your insurance company about your plans to install solar panels, as the system will raise the value of your commercial property. It could also affect your liability cover, so it’s important that you speak to your insurer to see how it will affect your policy.

We take all RC62 recommendations into account when designing solar PV systems. Many insurance companies are now asking for solar installations to meet these recommendations so it is important to choose a provider like AR Power to install your system.

If this is not a requirement from your current insurance provider and you go ahead with the solar installation not taking these recommendations into account you may be limited to which insurance providers you can choose from in the future, which could raise premiums overall.   

Some commercial solar panel arrays meet the criteria for permitted development, meaning you do not need planning permission. While there are no planning permission restrictions for high-generating solar arrays, if they are going to be attached to a listed building, are placed within the boundaries of a World Heritage Site or are a ground-mounted system of more than 9m2, then you may need permission from your local council and may face restrictions.

If you are still unsure if you need planning permission for your commercial solar installation, please get in touch, and we will be more than happy to help you.

AR Power use the latest and most up to date technology and best practices when designing and installing solar PV systems.

As of 2023 and following the release of the RC62 publication, AR Power decided to offer SolarEdge Technologies solar PV systems as standard. This is due to the fire safety features which are built into its technology. Their technology also enables you to monitor the performance of every panel, and makes it easier to identify problematic panels in the future.

Solar panel size is not a factor in the efficiency of your solar PV system. Instead, it is the type of solar technology used that improves the solar performance of your array. AR Power can advise you on the most efficient solutions to fit your company’s roof.

On-grid solar panel systems connect to the National Grid and supplement the power you receive with power generated by the solar panels. Off-grid systems are not connected to the main distribution network and use battery storage solutions to store energy for use throughout the day, even at night.

South-facing roofs are usually considered to be best for solar panels, as these catch the most sunlight. In many cases, East and West-facing roofs can be effective if the solar panels are positioned at the correct angle to maximise light absorption. 

If your roof is flat then in most cases we can angle the panels to face south.

We use advanced software which looks at factors like roof angle, pitch, historical climatic data and shading to generate the best system specification for you.

AR Power can advise you on the best set-up to maximise the efficiency of your commercial solar panels. If your roof is considered unsuitable for solar panels, then our experts can help you choose an alternative, such as ground mounted solar panels or a solar carport.

Installation time will depend on the size of the solar panel system required for your organisation. Once we have approval from the Distribution Network Operator for your proposed setup which can take up to 13 weeks for installations over 50 kWp, it will take a few weeks to schedule and plan the work.

After that, it can take between a week to a few months to complete the installation project, depending on its size. Our teams are able to install 150-200 panels per week, depending on weather and other factors. 

The although our teams work Monday – Friday, we can carry out activity at the weekend, such as power shut downs and crane lifts if in a built up area, to minimise disruption and ensure maximum safety for everyone. Our projects team will confirm the timeline with you when we provide our initial plan and keep you informed throughout the process.

Many companies invest in commercial solar to reduce their energy costs, their carbon footprint, or both.

Typically, if you have a low energy demand, then installing solar may not be feasible as the system may be small and the cost of scaffolding and other safety measures can make up a lot of the installation cost.

However, the best thing to do is to speak to one of our team who can find out more about your company, your energy demand, and pull together a proposal for you which will outline costs, payback periods and funding options.

If you are considering installing solar but dont think your roof is suitable, either its old, or the material isnt correct, please get in touch and we can discuss your options.

If our internal design teams have any reservations over the integrity of your roof, we will carry out an independent survay to ensure its safe and that the solar PV system we are putting on the roof will last 25+ years.

If your roof is not suitable we can look at other options. This may include recladding the roof so it is suitable for solar, using a different roof, or look at a ground mounted or carport solution.

Please note that we would not manage the roof repairs or recladding.

A lot of people are looking at commercial solar and commercial battery storage however not every project will lend itself to a battery storage solution.

If you are operational 24/7 and are sending a lot of energy back to the grid, then a battery may be viable. However this may push out the payback period for your project as battery storage is currently quite costly.

If you are operational 9-5 then a battery storage solution may not be feasible. This is because you wont use the energy that has been stored as you’ll not be operational when its dark.

You will be using a lot of the energy during the day, as its generated leaving little to be stored in the battery.

Companies can save £1,000’s on their energy bills each year by installing solar.

The amount depends on your current energy rates and usage.

If we look at a 1.2MWp system which generates 1,137,722 kWh a year and consumes 967,063.7 kWh of the energy generated, then we multiply that by an average unit rate of 25p, this company will save £241,765.93 a year.

This company will export the remainder of the energy generated and make approximately £17,065.83.

Take a look at our ‘How Much Is Your Roof Worth‘ article which discusses these savings in more detail.

If you have NetZero targets and want to dramatically reduce your scope 2 carbon emissions then installing solar is an excellent way to achieve this.

On average, you will reduce your carbon emissions by 10,000 kg each year for every 50 kWp of solar installed. Your system size and the amount of carbon you can save will be detailed in your proposal.