The UK is installing solar panels more quickly than any other European country. Domestic solar panels are becoming more popular among homeowners. This is why more people are looking to commercial solar panels for their businesses and institutions. Low Carbon Energy can attest to this. We are busy installing solar PV in the North West for businesses across many industries.
The UK is installing solar panels more quickly than any other European country. Domestic solar panels are becoming more popular among homeowners. This is why more people are looking to commercial solar panels for their businesses and institutions. Low Carbon Energy can attest to this. We are busy installing solar PV in the North West for businesses across many industries.
Why is Britain so enthusiastic about commercial solar panels? There are many reasons, some universal and some unique to the UK. These are the reasons we have listed, but let’s first address one of your first questions…
Are solar panels able to work in cloudy conditions?
Yes. They can convert light into energy and not heat. They are therefore very useful for customers in the UK, despite our reputation for overcast and mild weather. Even on rainy days, your panels can still generate energy. Our moderate climate might actually work in our favor. We get 60% of the sun’s radiation from the Equator, so our panels are more efficient.
This is partly why the UK has a similar amount of solar energy to Spain and France. We get about the same amount of sunlight in some parts of the country’s South as Germany, one of the largest markets for photovoltaics. We are already at a point where renewable energy is producing more electricity than nuclear power plants.
Here’s a quick timeline for solar PV adoption in the UK
2010 – The Feed In Tariff is launched by the UK government. This scheme encourages solar PV adoption by allowing customers to make direct profits from their panels and sell any excess energy back to government. This scheme was eventually replaced by the Smart Export Garanty.
2013 – The UK was the 10th largest solar power producer in the world by 2013. (Following seven years, we are now number six on the list, after China, Japan and Germany.
2016 – A landmark was reached in Britain’s solar power installations. 25% of the UK’s 250,000 homes have some form of solar thermal panel installed.
2018 – The UK’s solar power capacity almost doubles thanks to more businesses taking advantage of the opportunity. Around 709,000 solar farms are now installed in homes and offices.
2020 – By 2020, the UK would have 10 million solar panels in its homes. This means that about a third households will be using solar energy. The Covid-19 pandemic, like almost everything else has slowed progress, but the UK’s enthusiasm hasn’t waned.
The UK’s solar PV adoption is growing rapidly beyond its domestic market. London is currently second to Madrid in terms of solar energy generation, and it’s growing in popularity with North West businesses. Low Carbon Energy provides planning, supply, and installation services for businesses and organizations in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, agriculture, data centres, hospitals and aerospace. This is due to the fact that the British government continues to encourage the use of solar energy through the Smart Export Guarantee. We’ll get into more detail below.
The enthusiasm we have for solar energy is shared by many other countries in Europe and around the globe. According to the International Energy Agency, solar (both photovoltaic- and solar) could surpass fossil fuels by 2050 and other renewable sources such as wind and hydro. It would be the largest source of energy worldwide. We are likely to continue our current trajectory and remain one of the leading nations in the solar revolution.
Why is solar power so popular in the UK
Solar panel installers near me offer many benefits, not only the obvious advantages. They are also attractive for UK homeowners and businesses. These include cost savings and practicality, as well as wider economic factors and changing attitudes toward climate change and other environmental issues.
Solar panels are very popular in the UK because of:
You can save a lot on your electricity bill by using solar panels
Smart Export Guarantee allows owners to profit from excess electricity produced
Solar energy is sustainable and environmentally friendly, helping you to reach green goals
Modern shoppers are more becoming environmentally-conscious
Solar prices are falling
Solar energy creates jobs, and the UK is less dependent on imports of energy.
Solar panels are simple and inexpensive to maintain
Customers ‘off-the grid’ can benefit from this useful energy source
You can save a lot on your electricity bill by using solar panels
Solar panels can help you save money. This is the main benefit of UK solar PV systems, whether for homeowners, businesses or other organizations. They are very affordable and require little investment. They produce no energy during their remaining serviceable lives, which helps to offset energy bills and allows owners to save substantial amounts of money.
The panels are getting cheaper and more efficient over time. We’ll also be mentioning that solar costs are falling.
Smart Export Guarantee allows owners to profit from excess electricity produced
The Smart Export Guarantee, a UK government initiative, is designed to encourage solar PV installations. The Smart Export Guarantee allows owners to make money out of any excess electricity that they don’t use. They also have the option to sell it back to their energy supplier. SEG was implemented in 2020. It replaced the Feed In Tariff which had basically the same function.
The major difference between the SEG & FIT is the Feed In Tariff, which saw customers selling electricity back to the National Grid at rates set forth by Ofgem. The SEG, on the other hand, allows customers to sell excess energy back at their energy supplier. This creates healthy market competition that encourages suppliers to offer competitive prices.
Solar PV gives owners the ability to increase their energy independence as well as security.
Solar PV owners will be less dependent on the National Grid if they have a reliable source of electricity on their site. This allows them to enjoy the cost savings that we have already mentioned. It also gives owners an alternative source of power in case of an outage. This is particularly important for businesses as it can save you money and preserve your productivity.
It’s an environmentally-friendly, sustainable source of power
This is another benefit of solar energy. Solar panels, unlike fossil fuel energy sources, are completely clean and emit no harmful gas or pollutants. This is a major advantage for UK companies, since it helps them reduce their environmental impact, which will help them achieve their green goals.
The UK is changing its public attitudes
In a country where people are becoming more aware of the effects their purchasing decisions have on the environment, solar panels’ ability to produce clean, green electricity is crucial for organisations.
We have previously discussed how UK citizens envision a new normal. 51% of respondents to a YouGov poll said they saw cleaner air outside, and satellite images show a significant reduction in emissions. Many people are planning to make lifestyle changes in the future to maintain this new normal. Businesses where they shop will likely expect them to do the same.
Businesses must demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility. Modern businesses that can show tangible green credentials will be able to gain an edge over their competition.
The UK’s solar PV prices are steadily falling
The UK’s market for solar energy is highly competitive. Technology is becoming more affordable, more efficient, and more accessible. A 4kW solar PV system cost around PS20,000 when the Feed In Tariff was introduced in 2010. A similar installation cost around PS6668 in 2017 was the median price. This represents a 67% decrease in installation costs, without compromising the benefits that solar panels offer customers.
Statkraft, a renewable energy company, predicts that solar PV’s lifetime costs will drop by half in the coming decades. Solar panels are expected to be the most affordable energy source by 2030, compared to gas and other fossil fuels. It’s expected to account for around 70% of UK’s electricity generation by 2050, making it an attractive choice.
This industry creates employment and decreases the UK’s dependence on imports.
The UK’s solar energy industry includes a variety of specialties and disciplines, including maintenance, installation, distribution, and manufacturing. This gives the UK the potential to create thousands of jobs in this industry, which will help to ensure that domestic energy supplies and prices are more secure. It also decreases the UK’s dependence on electricity imported from abroad. The UK could be able to create around 50,000 new jobs by 2050 if the government provides the necessary support and the public has more confidence in solar energy.
Solar PV systems are easy to maintain
They require little to no maintenance once they have been installed. The panels only need to be cleaned and replaced as necessary. Most parts last between 25 and 30 years before needing to be replaced. Solar panels are a long-term solution that can help businesses save money and minimize costs.
Customers can access solar energy ‘off-the-grid’
Individuals, businesses, and organizations who live far from the normal infrastructure of the grid, such as remote areas or islands off the British coastline, can benefit greatly from solar PV installations. Solar panels can generate electricity anywhere there is enough sunlight. This makes it flexible and easily accessible.
