When it comes to our energy, there's always room for a greener approach. This is especially true for businesses compared to households. One potential avenue for energy efficiency for both home and business consumers is solar power panels.
Photovoltaic (PV) solar cell modules convert sunlight into electricity, which can then power your business. Moreover, if you reside in the UK, you can sell the energy you generate back to the national grid, thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), while in Northern Ireland, you can sell excess solar power generated by your solar panels to NIE Networks. The only real difference between residential and commercial solar cell modules is the scale, but not necessarily always.
In most cases, solar power panels on commercial buildings do not require planning permission. However, it's essential to perform checks before you find yourself making costly mistakes.
Even if you don't need planning permission, there are still requirements and restrictions to meet. These include rules about how far solar cell modules can protrude from the walls or roofs they're installed on and the distance from the edge of the wall or roof. Equally important is to note that you may need permission from the landlord or freeholder of the building before installing a solar cell module.
Depending on the size of your commercial property, there will be various steps in the installation process before you start fixing panels. Firstly, due diligence is needed to ensure your building can genuinely support solar power panels. Assessing your energy usage and your goals in renewable energy can help determine the best course of action. Then, blueprints and proposals tailored to your business and relevant commercial building specifications need to be drawn up.
Once proposals are approved, the construction and installation of solar cell modules will be required. How long this takes depends on the size of the building. For smaller properties, this could take weeks; for larger buildings, it could take several months. You should consider some disruption to your regular business activities, including temporary power outages. The next crucial and final stage is the commissioning phase. This is when installers confirm that solar cell modules are correctly installed and conduct electrical checks. If all is well, your installers will liaise with your area's network operator to ensure your system is connected to the grid.
In conclusion, understanding the operation and installation process of solar cell modules is vital for businesses looking to adopt solar energy solutions. Proper planning, adherence to regulations, and meticulous installation are key to harnessing the benefits of solar power for your commercial property.
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