How to install solar panels for your business
The rise in energy costs and business expenses, combined with solar panels becoming increasingly efficient and cost effective, means that businesses can achieve significant savings by investing in solar panels.
But what is involved in installing commercial solar panels? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key stages, from initial enquiry to system maintenance.
1. Find an accredited solar installer
It’s important to clarify your business goals from the onset and confirm that solar PV is the right solution for your business. A good solar installer will help align your objectives with the feasibility of installing solar PV at your site.
Finding a competent and well-accredited installer with experience of installing solar arrays of a similar size and specification is key to achieving a high quality installation. Good Energy holds all the relevant accreditations such as MCS and NAPIT to ensure we meet high standards for electrical and microgeneration installations. Looking into company reviews is another way to ensure you will receive a great service from your chosen solar installer.
When solar PV systems are sized accurately to suit your organisation’s energy requirements, payback periods can be rapid, particularly for businesses that have a high daytime consumption of 20,000kWh+ per year. At Good Energy, a 4-5-year return on investment is typical on a commercial solar PV installation. However, some of our customers achieve payback even sooner. And once the investment has been recouped, the solar system will continue to generate returns for decades, providing long-term financial benefits.
2. Undertake a free solar desktop assessment
There are many factors our solar experts will explore with you including the size of installation your building can accommodate, system design, export rates, carbon emission savings, hardware specification and any grid upgrade requirements. Good Energy offers a free, no-obligation quote service that can help get you started.
To ensure your organisation’s goals and criteria are clear, we’ll cover key questions such as:
- What is the organisation’s average annual consumption?
- Do you have sufficient space available (e.g., rooftop, ground, or carports)?
- What are your financial objectives and expected return on investment (ROI)?
- What is your desired project timeline?
- What are your carbon reduction targets?
3. Site survey, energy modelling and feasibility assessment
The next step to getting solar panels at your business involves a detailed feasibility study and site survey taking around 2-3 hours. This helps assess whether your premises can support a solar PV system.
During this stage, your installer will typically evaluate:
- Sunlight exposure and shading: Ensuring maximum energy generation.
- Structural integrity: Confirming your building or site can support the weight and requirements of solar panels.
- Energy needs and savings potential: Analysing your historical energy usage to determine the ideal system size.
- Onsite electrics: A detailed inspection of the electrics, cabling routes and location of electrical equipment.
- Financial modelling: Estimating ROI, payback period, and identifying grants or incentives.
4. Your solar proposal is developed and the system is designed
Once your solar feasibility study is complete and you’ve decided to move forward, the system design and approvals phase begins.
System design: Engineers will create detailed blueprints for the solar installation, including the layout of panels, inverters, and electrical wiring.
This will be included as part of your solar proposal, alongside details such as annual generation estimate, total annual energy bill savings, carbon savings and system warranties.
Planning permission: Rooftop solar PV systems generally fall under permitted development and therefore don’t need planning permission. However if you are planning a ground-mounted system, or if your installation is happening in a conservation area, you may need planning permission. The Good Energy team will advise you on how to secure this.
DNO permission: The PV system will be connected to your grid supply and therefore an application to your local DNO (District network operator) will be required. Local network and infrastructure tests will be carried out to understand if the grid can support the system size. Good Energy will liaise with your DNO on your behalf – getting permission can take up to 12 weeks.
5. Solar PV is installed on-site
Once designs are finalised and approvals are secured, installation can begin. This is a quick process of a week or less, with very little disruption to business operations.
Installation process: Scaffolding is installed, panels are mounted, electrical connections are made, and the system is integrated into the building’s power supply.
Testing and commissioning: Good Energy’s fully qualified engineers will ensure the solar PV system complies with all safety regulations, conduct thorough testing, and confirm that every solar panel is operating efficiently and generating power.
6. Start using your solar power
Once commissioned, your system will begin generating 100% renewable electricity. Solar panels generate power whenever there’s visible light, so energy production starts immediately during daylight hours.
Your solar PV will provide electricity to the property and any surplus power will be exported to the grid. You can get paid for this exported electricity via a power purchase agreement. As a supplier that sources renewable power from independent generators, Good Energy offers enhanced export rates to businesses that choose us as their commercial solar panel installer.
If your system includes battery storage, the excess energy will automatically go into the battery rather than being exported. This stored energy can be used after dark or when you need to use more power than your panels are currently generating.
A case study with bigHead
Sector: Manufacturing and warehousing
Installation size: 58.5kWp
Annual savings: £5,114
Annual CO2 reduction: 7.72 tonnes
Preferential export tariff rates
7. Routine maintenance for your solar PV
Solar PV systems require minimal maintenance, but routine checks ensure optimal performance and a longer lifespan.
- Cleaning panels: Regularly remove dirt or debris that may block sunlight.
- Monitoring: it is important to monitor your investment to ensure it is working as it should be. The majority of modern systems enable smart monitoring via an app or digital dashboard, which allows you to track how your system is performing.
- System inspections: Schedule annual inspections to check for faults or wear in wiring and inverters.
Most solar panels have a 30 year performance warranty. Maintenance packages keep your system running smoothly and ensure the technologies are working as they should be. With SafeContractor-certified systems like those from Good Energy, maintaining your system is less hassle.
Our annual system inspections will keep your solar panels running at the highest levels of efficiency for the duration of their lifespan. Routine maintenance also prolongs the lifespan of solar panels.
Why get solar panels at your business premises?
Solar PV offers significant benefits, including reduced energy costs, a smaller carbon footprint, and greater independence from a volatile energy market. With proper planning and a trusted installer, the process is seamless and cost-effective, enabling your business to enjoy the long-term advantages of renewable energy.
If you’re interested in beginning your solar PV journey, get in touch with our experts at Good Energy for a no-obligation conversation.
