Solar Panel & Battery Storage Installation for Business
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Reasons to Invest
Save money and be more energy-efficient
Achieve net zero with lower CO2 emissions
Rapidly recover your investment
Looking to install solar panels at your home? Check out solar panels for homes
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost to Install?
The price to install solar panels mostly depends on the system size.
Other costs can include scaffolding, changes to electrical supply and whether you opt for battery storage.
Get a Free Quote
Contact us for a detailed quote to supply and fully install solar panels at your business.
Get a Free Quote
Financial Support
Your business may be eligible for Government Grants and be able to claim 100% installation costs as a capital allowance.
We also offer finance options. Ask our surveyor for details.
Battery Storage
Maximise Your Energy Efficiency
With battery storage you can store excess electricity generated by solar panels for use at another time.
Alternatively you can sell surplus electricity back to the national grid.
In general using and storing electricity generated by solar panels is more financially viable than selling it to the grid.
How Much Do Storage Batteries Cost?
Storage batteries can cost between £2,000 and £10,000 each.
The price depends on the make, model and capacity size of the battery measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
When installed at the same time as solar panels, batteries are subject to 0% VAT until 2027. If added to existing solar PV systems the VAT is 20%.
What Size Storage Battery Do I Need?
The capacity of a storage battery ranges from 3 kWh to 15 kWh.
The size you need depends on:
- how much electricity you use when the sun isn’t shining
- how much your solar panels can generate
For optimal power use several smaller capacity batteries can be better than high-capacity batteries.
How Much Can Energy Bills Be Reduced With Solar Panels?
There are several factors that affect how much you can save by installing solar panels.
The two that have the most impact are:
- the system size measured in kilowatt peaks (kWp)
- how much energy is used during the day
A general rule of thumb is the more generated electricity you use, the greater the savings.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
Our surveyor will calculate a savings estimate as part of our free quote.
How Much Carbon Can Be Saved With Solar Panels?
How much CO2 is saved depends on the size of the solar panel system.
The carbon offset is the same no matter if you use the electricity generated, or export it to the grid.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
Our surveyor will calculate a savings estimate as part of our free quote.
ROI Within 10 Years
According to a 2021 survey by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy ROI for businesses was “consistently, found to be between 5 to 10 years”.
The timescale for your business will depend on many factors including:
- installation cost
- your expected energy use
- how much electricity you export to the grid
- your electricity tariff
As part of our detailed quote we will calculate how many years it will take to achieve ROI.
Installation
What to Expect
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Free Consultation
Our surveyor will call you to ask a few initial questions and arrange a survey.
We will also ask you to provide details on your energy use and information such as building plans, EICR reports, asbestos registers and so on.
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Survey at Your Premises
Our surveyor will conduct a site survey to:
- discuss product options including battery storage
- check where the equipment can be installed
- take measurements
- discuss any shutdown time and procedures
They will also advise on any other work you may need to do before the solar panels can be installed.
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Detailed Quote With Performance Estimates
We will provide a detailed quote to supply and fully install the solar panel system including scaffolding.
The quote will include a detailed performance estimate based on the energy use of your business. The performance estimate includes:
- savings estimate per year and across the lifetime of the installation
- how much CO2 will be saved per year and across the lifetime of the installation
- timescale to ROI
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Hassle-Free Installation
Our dedicated operations team organises all aspects of the installation. They will:
- arrange delivery of the solar equipment direct to your business
- coordinate the installation between you, our engineers and partners
- be your point of contact throughout the installation
As installation involves working on your roof, we use local firms we know and trust to supply and erect scaffolding, install the roof mounts and solar panels.
Our engineers install the remaining solar equipment, test and then commission the solar PV system.
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Handover
Once complete our engineers will show you how to use the system including any mobile apps or portals.
After the installation we will:
- send you all the regulatory certificates
- contact all relevant bodies to notify them of the installation
Insurance Backed Guarantee
As an MCS certified installer, all our solar panel installations come with an Insurance Backed Guarantee.
This protects you in the event we have ceased trading and you need to make a claim.
Government Grants and Schemes
As of March 2023 there are no nationwide government grants for businesses to install solar panels, however there are regional schemes.
Regional Schemes and Grants
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy maintains a list of regional support schemes.
For more information visit regional support schemes.
0% VAT
Until 31 March 2027 all solar equipment is rated at 0% VAT including storage batteries.
Claim 100% as a Capital Allowance
You may be able to claim the full amount when installing solar panels in the year it was bought.
A capital allowance is a reduction in profits before you pay tax.
Solar panels are considered plant and machinery as they are ‘integral features’ of a building.
For more information visit claiming capital allowances.
Selling Surplus Electricity Back to the National Grid
You can be paid for selling electricity you generate back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
The SEG is a tariff paid to you by an SEG supplier and is available to all businesses with a solar PV system.
SEG suppliers set their own tariff rates, which must always be above zero.
Payments are exempt from tax, and the supplier may apply additional terms to their tariffs.
How to Apply
Contact an SEG supplier directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Installing solar panels will involve an amount of disruption, however we always endeavour to minimise disruption as much as possible.
There will be a shutdown period in order to connect the solar panel circuit. The duration of the shutdown will depend on the complexity of the installation and any procedures you need to follow.
Our surveyor will check and advise the impact of the shutdown as part of the site survey.
Our operations team will coordinate all parties involved and liaise with you so you know what is happening and when.
Solar panels are considered ‘permitted developments’ and often don’t require planning permission. However, if you live in a listed building, conservation area or national park, restrictions may apply.
If you’re unsure, check with your local planning office for guidance.
Solar panel systems must be registered with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) which we do on your behalf.
Installing solar panels has the same implications as working with any electrical system.
As panels must be located on the roof this will involve working at height. In most cases scaffolding will be required.
Our surveyor will ask for Health and Safety documents such as asbestos registers as part of the installation.
Solar panels have few moving parts and have a life expectancy at least 25 years.
Research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory also found solar panels to be very reliable with a failure rate of only 0.05%.
Inverters have a life expectancy of around 10 years, so will need to be replaced before any solar panels.
If your question wasn’t answered here, pop an email to hello@heliarenewables.co.uk
