Solar Energy Systems – A Key Element Of Electricity Supply For Businesses

Image: A recently completed Centreco Solar Energy System for a client in Preston (293kW)

Centreco have installed over 200 solar energy systems for companies across the U.K. with over 30MW of generation capacity, saving over 6,000 Tonnes of CO₂ per annum and delivering immediate electricity cost savings to their clients.

Centreco installed its first system in 2014 when commercial electricity prices we in the region of 12p per kilowatt hour. With increasing electricity prices over the years, to an average circa 35p per kilowatt hour currently and an ever-increasing environmental pressures on businesses so solar energy systems have cemented their place in the energy supply chain for an increasing number of mid to high users of electricity.

Centreco believe this trend for on-site solar energy systems for UK businesses is set to accelerate. Tom Knox, Business Development Director at Centreco says “I consult with over fifty commercial clients a month, there is a common set of themes with each of them – how can we reduce our electricity costs, reduce our exposure to electricity price inflation in the long-term and address the pressing environmental concerns on our operations.

Self generated solar energy worked in commercial terms when electricity pricing was 12p per kilowatt hour, so it certainly works at the rates we are seeing in the market now and indeed under any scenario that may prevail across the 25-year warranted generation cycle of a solar energy system.

Indications are that grid-based electricity prices will continue to rise from present rates in the near term and that long term inflation on these prices is inherent given the macro and supply issues at play for the UK. To that end installing a solar energy system now not only makes sense but I would say is essential for any business that uses more than 100,000kW hours of electricity per annum.

In the unlikely event that electricity prices fall in the short term such are the funding structures readily available to finance a system, clients will get immediate cost savings, a positive cash flow profile and high long-term returns from their Centreco solar energy system almost irrespective of any foreseeable strike price for a commercial electricity contract rate as the equivalent fixed price of electricity generated by a solar energy system will be in the range of only 2 to 4 pence per kilowatt hour over the 25 year period.

It makes more sense than ever to push the button now on the move to solar energy from a financial perspective.

Add to this the environmental benefits self-generated solar energy can bring to a company’s ESG strategy and supply chain sustainability credentials and you really do have a no-brainer business decision to bring solar energy into the energy mix for a UK business with relatively energy intense operations such as manufacturing, data processing, engineering, industrial, production and fabrication.”

It looks as if the Government concurs with Tom Knox, a recent report entitled “Mission Zero” highlighted solar energy as a 70GW market by 2035. The report sees a “solar energy roof top revolution” taking place in the coming years with commercial solar energy systems playing a key part in the hyper-growth of renewable energy deployment in the UK. With 5Bn square metres of commercial roof space available to fill in the UK with high quality solar energy systems its easy to understand why this generation solution for businesses will play a key part in the Country’s energy strategy in the long term.

Centreco have been steadily growing their installation resources and are all set to install in excess of 40MW of new solar energy generation for clients in the twelve months. Centreco will be at the forefront of delivering this burgeoning commercial solar energy capacity in the UK and will guide clients through the modelling, design and installation processes to offer a one stop shop for a business looking to take advantage of self-generated solar energy at their site.

With new highly skilled energy consultants, project development resources and installation teams in place Centreco have the capacity to work with a client’s to demonstrate the potential of their own solar energy system today.

So, if you’re a business owner and you are interested in finding out how a solar energy system can work for your commercial property, why not give Centreco a call on 01257 208 943 and be part of that solar energy revolution!

10th February 2023