Investing in commercial solar panels is beneficial for businesses, helping your company generate greener energy and doing your part in reaching the Net Zero target by 2050.  

One clear benefit is how much you can save with solar panels.  Here, we’ll look at the different benefits of commercial solar, including the amount of money your business can save with commercial solar panels, using real-life examples.  

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How much do you save with solar panels?

We thought we’d use one of our case studies to prove to you how much money your business can actually save by using commercial solar panels. Let’s take a look at how some of our clients have benefited from renewable energy.  

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ThermoFisher Solar Panel Savings

Our client ThermoFisher managed to reduce their energy costs by 15% using a PPA through Custodian Capital, who are estimated to save £155,389 within the first year of the agreement.  

Other key financial solar panel savings for the client from this project include:  

• An estimated £4.8m lifetime savings

• Average savings of £191,691 per year

• Average savings of £15,974 per month

• Average savings of £3,686 per week  

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Moss Electrical Solar Panel Savings

Another one of our successful case studies is with Moss Electrical who have reduced their CO2 emissions by 256,489 kg per year. Moss Electrical also have an estimated lifetime savings of £4.2 million, including financial savings of:  

• £168,720 per year

• £14,060 per month

• £3,245 per week  

So, as you can see, businesses that invest in commercial solar energy will generate green energy and save financially in the long run, too.  

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Initial vs long-term costs saved with solar panel  

There will be an initial cost involved with implementing and installing commercial solar panels, which is naturally the cost that most businesses are wary of. But, once these costs are accounted for, you’ll immediately start saving money on energy consumption, outweighing the initial start-up costs.  

Commercial solar panels will usually average in price between £600–£800 per kW, depending on the type of commercial solar panel you want to install.  

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Factors that influence the cost of solar panel installation

There are several factors that will influence the cost of solar installation, such as the size of the solar system and the amount of solar panels that need to be installed. Let’s take a further look at the different factors you’ll need to consider.  

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System size and scale

Economies of scale play a part in this factor as larger solar systems will generate enough energy to quickly surpass the amount of money spent on installation, lowering the cost per KW. Larger solar systems, however, will cost more initially to install.  

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Complexity of installation

Another factor that will influence the cost of installation is the complexity of the installation. Buildings with complex roof designs or those that need structural reinforcement will end up costing more to install. Also, if you want to install ground-mounted solar panels, you may need to get work done on the land around your property.  

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Location and logistics

As with buying property, solar panels will cost more in areas where the cost of living is higher due to varying labour rates, permitting fees, and the logistics of transporting materials to the site. Also, remote areas might incur more costs if they are more difficult to reach.

Long-term savings with solar panels

Once the initial costs have been taken care of, you can start focusing on long-term savings. The first, and most obvious solar panel savings is that your energy bills will be a lot lower.  

You’ll be generating green energy through your solar panels, which will make you less reliant on the grid, saving you money. Naturally, you’ll be creating and implementing sustainable practices within your business, ensuring there is less wastage and more renewable energy generated.  

Subsequently, you’ll be reducing your operational costs and increasing the value of the building if you need to put the property on the market.  

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Energy cost savings

Electricity costs for commercial businesses in the UK can be a major expense, with businesses often paying between 20p and 30p per kWh. By generating electricity on-site with solar panels, however, businesses can offset a large portion of their energy consumption.  

A typical 50kW solar panel system can produce approximately 45,000 kWh annually, potentially saving £9,000 to £13,500 per year in electricity costs. Larger systems, such as 250kW installations, generate even greater solar panel savings, often exceeding £50,000 annually. These savings are especially significant as energy prices continue to rise.

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Reduced carbon tax and energy security

Switching to solar also helps businesses avoid rising carbon taxes and other levies associated with fossil fuel-based energy. Furthermore, self-generating electricity protects businesses from market volatility, ensuring more predictable and stable energy costs over time.  

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Environment and brand benefits

As well as the financial benefits that come with installing commercial solar panels, there are also brand benefits to using green and renewable energy. Some of the more obvious benefits of using solar power are that your business will reduce its carbon emissions, reduce pollution and reduce its energy bills.  

As well as this, your business will gain energy independence by being less reliant on the grid and will gain energy security, too, meaning that you won’t run out of energy or experience any shortages. This is especially important for factories that run 24/7.  

Customer loyalty is another massive advantage that comes with using commercial solar energy. Customers are more loyal to organisations that uphold their corporate responsibility of being environmentally conscious.  

So, while the upfront cost of a commercial solar panel system can range from £15,000 to over £100,000, depending on the scale, most systems pay for themselves within 3-4 years. With a typical lifespan of 25-30 years, businesses can enjoy decades of virtually free electricity.  

These long-term solar panel savings can amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds over the commercial solar system's lifetime, providing a significant competitive edge in energy-intensive industries.  

For more information on how your business can benefit from solar panel savings, be sure to contact our team of commercial solar power experts at Sustain Commercial Solar on 0333 880 0891.  

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