Commercially Viable

With the introduction of the Feed in Tariffs in 2010, the government gave the green light to the integration of micro-generation into the energy mix of the UK. Solar pv has proven particularly popular, to which the visible spread of crystalline cells across the nations roofs bears testament. Owing to the ease of installation, relaxation of the planning laws and generous payments to homeowners for installing systems, the solar revolution began in the residential sector, but percentage based reductions in the FiTs and the extension of the Permitted Development Rights to non-domestic buildings is seeing the commercial sector take up the running in the race to deploy a utility-scale renewable energy network across the country.

The key difference between a domestic and a commercial pv installation is that, in most cases, the graph plot of generated output follows demand. In other words as the sun comes up and the system starts producing electricity, an office, warehouse or factory opens for business and demand starts.

A typical chart comparing output and demand in a commercial building with a 50kWp pv system and average energy demands over the course of a day is shown below. 

This means that against a background of rising electricity prices, a business can insulate itself against increasing costs by generating free and clean electricity for use on site.When the extra income from the Feed in Tariffs is taken into account, the financial case for installing a pv system on a commercial property is clear and compelling.

Intelligently Designed

We believe that the key to any successful pv project is good design and adequate modelling of loss factors such as shading. With the use of PV- Sol Expert and CAD type design tools, we can design a system to minimise losses and model with precision to ensure that figures for predicted output are as robust as possible. This is obviously extremely important where an investment decision is being made on the financial performance of a product over the 25 year lifespan of the Feed in Tariffs.  

The feed in Tariff is payable on the total generated output for a system, and as payments for any surplus fed back into the system is so low, at only 3p per unit, it obviously makes sense to use as much of the free electricity produced by the pv array as possible. By analysing the base load of a building, we aim to ensure that as much as possible of the generated electricity gets used within the building.

We approach every project with the view that our system is going to become a part of the whole building’s improved energy efficiency. There seems little point to us in shoehorning an electricity generator into a building that is wasting power elsewhere, so we carry out full energy assessments that allow us to identify areas where savings on current usage can be made. This also enables us to size a system to match Part ‘L’ or SAP rating requirements using SBEM calculation software.  

Environmentally Sound

The burning of fossil fuels to provide light, heat and power to homes and businesses has led to two of the great problems facing the modern world. Firstly, that greenhouse-gas emissions are changing the earth’s climate in a potentially catastrophic way and secondly, the very fact that these are finite resources is pushing up energy prices to unaffordable levels and calling into question our ability to meet our ever increasing demand for energy. 

Micro-generation has an important role to play in the inevitable shift to renewable electricity production and solar pv in particular, with its proven track record, ease of installation and integration into the building’s electricity supply and affordability is a key cog in this gear of change.

By installing a renewable energy generator, a business is also making a visible statement of its commitment to the environment and converting any capital invested into the priceless currency of positive PR and also involving employees and users of the building in the process of saving energy.  

“We used Solar Peak to install a 10Kw PV system which was installed in November 2011. The reason we picked Solar Peak was due

 to reviews like this and once you meet Tom or Phil you soon come to the conclusion that they are genuine, honest people who

 know what they aretalking about and inspire you with confidence. 

The job was started and finished as programmed and we have used them on a couple of other PV  since they initially worked for us. 

I would have no hesitation in recommending Solar Peak to anybody including my friends.”

William Shepherdson & Sons Oldham

Financing

Solar Peak is a recognised supplier under the Energy Efficieny Financing Scheme backed by the Carbon Trust. This source of funding provided by Siemens Financial Services is only available to commercial clients wishing to spread the capital cost of the installation over a longer period thereby assisting cash flow.