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Newer battery and solar capturing technologies have enabled us to consistently evolve how we harness solar energy more efficiently. Today, we are at a point where solar energy has become not only affordable but highly reliable for both residential properties as well as large-scale commercial businesses.
With companies being inclined towards sustainability, and rightfully so, it has become apparent that the widespread adoption of solar energy will continuously help evolve the technology even further until we completely phase out fossil fuel dependence.
But what are the solar energy trends in commercial properties and what are the direct and indirect benefits that this technology offers to offices, factories, warehouses, and industrial buildings? Read below to find out!
Solar panels are thin sheets made using photovoltaic (PV) cells. Each panel consists of multiple divided sections that contain this material. When sunlight hits this material, it begins a reaction that generates electricity. This electricity then travels through wires to a series of electrical components before it is either stored or directly used.
Throughout the years, solar panels have become highly efficient and affordable thanks to mass production technological advancements in material science and our understanding of photovoltaic principles.
Battery technology has similarly improved. In the old days, we relied on lead acid or dry batteries to store energy and while this method proved to be the best at the time, it was far from perfect. These batteries were messy, hard to recycle, and didn’t last very long.
This is when lithium-ion batteries took centre stage. Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in the modern age since every smartphone is powered by the technology. It didn’t take long for manufacturers to realise that this technology could also be scaled up to power cars and build robust batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries provide better charge cycles which results in less wear and tear. They are more efficient, can handle heat, and last a long time compared to traditional batteries. These qualities make them also ideal for storing solar energy.
Today, solar batteries have become even smarter with the help of clever software tools. These tools enable the battery to be more efficient and effective over the long term and offer several benefits like real-time battery health data through the combination of software and hardware components.
The UK has a clear target to increase solar capacity by nearly fivefold to 70GW by 2035 and completely phase out fossil fuel in the coming decades.
Similarly, other world governments have also implemented several initiatives to help roll out solar technology to the masses. Government backing is a huge plus for the solar industry as it can help it evolve even quicker and become more prominent on the world stage.
So, how are solar energy trends affecting and fundamentally changing commercial power usage and what are the benefits of this technology?
Here are all the reasons that make solar energy something to consider investing in for commercial properties
Solar energy has the benefit of being highly clean. Throughout human history, we have relied on fossil fuels that mine materials from the earth. These materials are then either reacted or burned to produce energy. However, this process is very taxing on the environment because it emits dangerous gasses, mainly greenhouse gas emissions that are slowly blanketing the earth and causing a rise in global temperatures.
Global warming is a very pertinent issue that needs to be addressed in the near future. According to current studies, the world is steadily getting warmer which is causing a rise in sea levels, affecting the ecosystem in key areas around the world, and causing abrupt changes in the world’s climate.
Solar energy provides a cleaner option because all the generation and transmission is done within your property’s premises and since the process doesn’t involve any harmful environmental byproducts, solar energy is clean, safe, and pro-environment.
Solar energy is usually produced in excess. For example, a regular household in the UK with a 6KW system would generate more than enough electricity to power the home and store the excess energy in batteries. But even batteries have a limit and after they are full, the excess energy has to go somewhere!
This is where clever schemes such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) come in. The SEG allows you to sell back excess energy to the grid and make your solar panel investment even more beneficial since you will be able to cut costs on energy bills and gain back your initial investment through a more efficient Return on Investment (ROI).
Energy demands aren’t fixed. They vary throughout the day, and this is especially important for commercial properties that can end up paying a higher tariff during peak hours.
However, through solar energy, you can offset this cost by using solar energy during this time and switching back to the grid when on lower tariffs.
For example, from 11:00 to 16:00 the solar system can directly provide energy to the commercial property and switch back to either solar batteries or the grid when the sun sets.
Commercial spaces usually have more area than they can effectively use. So, what can you do with this excess area? Install solar panels!
Solar panels can be installed anywhere provided that the area receives constant sunlight and is stable enough to support the infrastructure that holds the panels in place.
Parking lots and rooftops make for an excellent place for these panels and this versatility allows them to be a highly convenient and lucrative option for business owners who want to cut down on costs and earn a profit through solar energy.
Solar power is renewable energy and since it is cleaner than traditional sources of energy, it has become the best way for us to combat environmental damage. The adoption of solar panels has allowed companies to launch several sustainability initiatives that allow them to be more environmentally friendly and attract more business.
With consumer preferences changed around the world, the modern consumer is actively on the hunt for businesses that share the same values for preservation. This is why many consumers shop at pro-environment businesses and companies that are doing their part for the environment.
Installing solar panels and reducing the commercial property’s reliance on the grid, thereby reducing their overall carbon footprint, is an amazing opportunity that will provide dividends in the form of environmental preservation and an increase in sales.
Here are some of the latest trends and innovations in solar panel and battery storage technology:
Most of the innovations and trends in solar generation focus on improving efficiency for residential as well as commercial solar energy systems. Since commercial properties use way more energy than regular homes, these panels need to be highly efficient and last a long time without requiring a lot of maintenance.
The efficiency levels of a solar power system can depend on the type of panels and batteries that you install. Other factors include the temperature, solar irradiance level, cell type, and cell interconnections.
However, according to current trends, many commercial properties are moving away from legacy solar panel technology to newer tech that is guaranteed to produce more energy and provide better efficiency.
These panels use highly pure N-type cells that have a lower degradation rate and the ability to function at a higher rate even after 25 years of use. The higher rate of power generation gives them a higher and quicker return on investment (ROI) as well.
While this newer technology is more expensive than traditional cell technology, it provides far more benefits and is likely to give you a quicker return in the form of more savings.
The solar industry is seeing massive improvements year over year with many companies researching and testing out newer and better technology to push the industry forward. For example, an Oxford-based tech firm is working on a new technology that can raise efficiency even further. It involves coating the panels with a thin layer of special crystal called perovskite that has shown great potential in increasing performance and lowering the cost of solar cell production.
This new technology is still in the works, but thanks to its broad promises of being more efficient, you can bet that the current trends will lead toward the adoption of N-Type and perovskite panels soon.
When solar technology was first introduced, they used heavy and thick panels to produce the required energy to make them feasible. Thin film solar cell technology also existed during this time, but due to limitations, the tech simply wasn’t efficient enough to produce the required output.
However, thanks to advancements, thin-film solar panels have become much more efficient, flexible, and less expensive.
New materials like Cadmium Telluride, Copper Indium Gallium Selenide, and Gallium Arsenide have replaced legacy panels for higher efficiency rates, and at this rate, these advancements are only going to improve the adoption trends of solar systems.
Thin-film panels aren’t just efficient but can also be used over any structural shape giving them more versatility and options for installation. They can be folded and even rolled, making them suitable for a range of applications and the material is also long-lasting and responds well to temperature changes.
Thin-film panels are also being improved to work in low-light conditions which will make them ideal for use in areas that don’t receive a lot of sunlight due to changing weather patterns. They are easy to install, are a great solution for the residential, commercial, and transportation industry – and, more importantly, their manufacturing results in much lower levels of emissions compared to other variants.
Structural integration of photovoltaics (PVs) is a trendy concept in solar energy. This technology not only harnesses sunlight but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the building. A great example of this can be found in Tesla’s Solar Roof project which turns a regular roof into a solar generation unit. This technology is currently making waves for being a great alternative to regular solar panel installation.
Instead of being mounted on the rooftops with sturdy frames, these glass panels, also called Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), can become part of the architecture of the building and help save up on construction material and reduce electricity costs, emissions, and maintenance costs.
Made using transparent photovoltaic cells, the PV glass is sandwiched between two toughened glass layers, and the transparency of the glass can also be adjusted according to the lighting conditions. Special types of organic polymer PV glass can also operate in low-light conditions which makes them a great alternative to regular solar panels.
This technology, while commercially available, is still in progress but if the overall progress of the solar industry is any indicator, you can be sure that you will see people adopting the solar roof concept in the coming years.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making headlines, and the technology’s practical applications are near limitless!
Solar systems are becoming smarter than ever. Gone are the days when you would just rely on the generation of solar power through a static system without getting any data on efficiency.
New intelligent energy management systems put complete control in the hands of the owner. This system uses a mobile application, and the system connects to the internet to enable online communication.
Using this system, the owner can see real-time data about the overall health of the batteries, the panels, and how much power is being used and generated. This system also enables users to get an exact overview of the distribution of power how much is being sold and at what times.
These systems also enable auto maintenance where an electrical company like Calder Electrical can remotely monitor the health of the system and send out a technician when needed.
Intelligent systems also provide weekly or monthly summary reports that can highlight how much energy you have generated and consumed over time. The best part is that these systems also learn your consumption pattern and can change the charge and drain cycle according to your usage, giving you maximum efficiency and benefits over time.
Static systems have none of these features, lack real-time data, and may not be suitable for commercial property owners who want full control over the ROI and efficiency of the solar system.
If you are looking for a modern solar energy solution for your commercial property, then these intelligent systems would be your best bet at getting the best value.
Calder Electrical Services provides a wide range of solutions to help you play your part in making the world a more sustainable place.
If you wish to have solar panels installed on your residential or commercial property, our experts can conduct a site visit to determine your requirements and propose the best type of solar system for your needs.
We also offer solar battery storage installation so that you can minimise any wastage of the energy you create. This will help lower your energy bills and make you more independent from the grid.
We have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
All our work is fully insured and meets the current regulations and standards set by the NICEIC. Also, all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 to get in touch with our professional electricians for more information on the different types of solar panels and battery storage options
