Commercial Solar

Business premises and community buildings are usually exempt from requiring planning permission. Even ground-mounted systems can be installed under ‘permitted development’. However, there are a few rules that must be followed in order to be exempt. These include:

1. Commercial solar panels need to be installed in a manner that minimises the impact of the overall building and general area’s appearance.
2. Flat roof solar installations must be less than 1m above the highest part of the roof. Excluding chimneys.
3. Roof-mounted installations are not permitted to protrude by more than 200mm from the roof’s surface.
4. Roof mounted solar panels must be installed further than 1m away from the edge of the roof or wall joint.
5. In designated areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, no solar panels are permitted to be installed on a wall or roof slope which faces a road.
6. A ground mounted solar installation must not be larger than 9m2.

You will need to gain planning permission if your solar panels are going to be installed on a building or property site that is of historical interest. This includes listed buildings, ancient monuments or world heritage sites. Prior approval is also required for the local planning authorities for any solar PV system greater than 50kW. Of course, Dorset Electrical Solutions are always here to give advice about any planning requirements for any type of solar panel installation.

Most business are active during the daytime, which means they are likely to consume all the energy their solar panels generate. However, this isn’t always the case. If your roof top is large enough to generate more electricity than your company is consuming, and your work operates outside the usual 9-5, a solar battery is viable. It all depends on your energy requirements.

This is why it is so important to book a free consultation and survey with Dorset Electrical Solutions in order to have a tailored system designed for you. Call today on 01202 985027.

With a renewed focus on the UK’s commitment to reaching Net Zero, there are always new schemes and grants arising to encourage the use of low-carbon technologies such as Solar PV. Current grants and incentives for the installation of commercial solar panels include:

1. Low Carbon Workspaces – Low Carbon Workspaces grant aids businesses lower their carbon emissions and energy bills, by offering grants of up to £5,000 to invest in carbon-saving upgrades. This could be for the installation of solar panels, battery storage, insulation, or even LED lighting. Grants are available for Small to Medium Enterprises based in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.
2. Power Purchase Agreement – A Solar PPA or Power Purchase Agreement allows an investor to pay and maintain the Solar PV at the commercial site. This would mean there is no upfront cost for the business using the site, yet they will be able to buy the Solar electricity from the investor at a cheaper rate than the National Grid.
3. Super Deduction – The super-deduction offers businesses 130 per cent first-year relief on qualifying main rate plant and machinery investments from 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023. As commercial solar panels is an investment towards your running costs, it sure counts as long as it is claimed through your business.

If your site has a decent sized roof or plot of land, and your business have the long-term intention on staying in the premises for more than 10 years, solar is the perfect solution. Ideally, the business should own the freehold of the premises, or have a long-term lease over the property.