Commercial Solar PV: Avoid the Energy Crisis

It is time to go solar!

Admit it.  You’ve thought about going green and installing solar panels but haven’t got around to it, or thought you’d do it another time.

However, the recent headlines confirming that energy prices are likely to increase substantially have altered the ROI on installing panels. Here’s how:

In 2021, the cap level has risen twice in the same year for the first time and is now at its highest point ever, creating an energy crisis. The energy price cap rose to £1,138 from 1st April – a £96 rise for “medium” energy users. From 1st October, another 12 per cent increase will come into effect, with the cap rising to £1,277.

With the electricity crisis continuing in the UK, this will threaten a wide range of industries, small energy firms, and households. However, despite a drastic rise in utility prices, renewable energy continues to see a considerable decrease in the cost of buying and installing solar systems.

Solar power has now become a sustainable and cost-effective energy alternative for business owners and can provide multiple advantages in the long run. Commercial solar PV installations provide a solid return on the investment, why? It is estimated that a typical commercial solar panel system will achieve financial returns of up to 20% per annum and pay back installation costs, within approximately 5-years. As well, a typical 250kWp solar PV system will offset approximately 64 tonnes of CO2.

All UK businesses will need to be carbon zero by 2050, so now is the time to get a head start.

Financial Savings

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows suppliers to set the price for the energy they purchase. According to the legislation, rates can be flexible or fixed, so long as they are above zero.

While these rates may vary, expect for them to mimic wholesale and market prices. This could equate to a sizable profit from the excess energy exported from your solar panels.

Some energy providers are offering around 5.5p/kWh of exported electricity, with a 4kWp solar panel system could make around £340 per year! This is just another great way to encourage people to use renewable energy.

 

The Overall Benefits:

• Whilst energy prices have increased year on year, the price of installing solar has plummeted.
• Solar PV generates energy no matter the weather because the sun gives off light even on cloudy days.
• Earn money from your panels with SEG.
• 25-year fixed-cost for solar energy generation and minimal maintenance of the solar PV system.
• Altogether, solar energy is 60-70% cheaper than buying from the National Grid.
• Tapping into an unlimited clean energy source, will reduce your carbon footprint!

 

To summarise, solar panels for commercial buildings provide businesses with the chance to save and make money, promote themselves as a green and socially conscious business, and avoid becoming victims to future price rises in the energy market.

Start your solar energy journey with us:

Our team are more than happy to take your call and organise a video consultation to show you how we design a system that works for you. We can then send you a free, no obligation quote!

 

Call us today!

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e      designteam@solarcentric.co.uk

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The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is updated every six to seven years to reflect new evidence on climate change, and the most recent report published (August 2021) caused a great media reaction.

The UN chief reported: ‘code red for humanity’ – which was not a surprise to most with the horrific and continuous news reports on extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and flooding that have taken place across the world. This is something we do not want to hear, but unfortunately the climate crisis IS here.

We understand how distressing it is to read, and the IPCC climate change report has caused increase eco anxiety for many people around the world, especially young adults. But scientists say a catastrophe can be avoided if we take immediate action on energy and that there is no time for delay and no room for excuses. Here is a basic breakdown of what the IPCC’s report covered:

• The past five years have been the hottest on record since 1850
• The rise in sea levels have nearly tripled compared with 1901-1971
• Human influence is “very likely” (90%) the main driver of the global retreat of glaciers since the 1990s and the decrease in Arctic sea-ice
• It is “virtually certain” that hot extremes including heatwaves have become more frequent and more intense since the 1950s, while cold events have become less frequent and less severe

Is it too late to stop climate change?

It is not too late to prevent global warming. What is obvious is that global carbon emissions need to be reduced to net-zero – immediately, to avoid a dangerous increase in global temperatures. When we focus on sustainability, the entire world benefits and gets to live in healthy living conditions.

With the spectacular rise of renewable technology such as solar panels and wind turbines, net-zero is definitely achievable!

 

Advantages of solar energy:

Solar energy is one of the solutions for a greener future, thanks to its limitless supply of clean energy. Solar panels are a onetime investment and will provide long-term benefits to your home or business and not only does it give us a better future on this earth but a healthier life too. Solar power takes away the risk of respiratory issues, cancer and cardiovascular problems.

A big misconception is that in order to own solar panels you need to live in an area that is always sunny. This is simply not true – anyone can have solar! The panels will always receive direct day light even on cloudy and rainy days.

 

Battery storage for solar panels:

Energy storage enables electricity to be saved for a later, when and where it is most needed. Solar batteries compliment solar PV by storing the excess energy your panels make instead of it going back to the National Grid. When you need to tap into more power, your green free energy is in the battery, ready to use! Most batteries are software controlled, meaning that as technology improves, the battery does not become outdated. This is really important as technology is moving quickly and in some parts of the UK, energy providers are already trialling different ways to use batteries. These trials include load balancing and optimising when you buy and sell energy from the grid.

 

Environmental benefits of electric cars:

Road transport is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the UK, contributing to poor air quality, noise disturbance, congestion and climate change.

Vehicles have a major impact on the environment through their construction, use and eventual disposal.  This “feebate” system is certainly an effective way to drive and secure EV growth.

The tech and science is there, and endless reports have been made stating that renewable energy has the capability of powering 80% of the world! Additionally, fossil-fuel is a limited source, so sooner or later we will have to depend on solar energy but the time to depend on it is now – not later.

Renewable energy is driving innovation and not compromising our way of life, unlike fossil fuels do. If you want to secure a future – renewable energy is the answer and our team are here to educate and point in the right direction. When it comes to designing and quoting the right system for your energy needs, we make sure you understand the systems functionality and how our smart products can benefit you!

Why not call us to book in for a free no obligation consultation and quote?

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e      designteam@solarcentric.co.uk

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When we make time for nature, whether you’re visiting green spaces such as parks, woodland areas or forests as well as blue spaces like rivers, lakes and beaches, you are instantly generating a multitude of positive emotions. When it comes to mental health and nature facts, research states that when you experience negative feelings, you can definitely switch to a more positive mindset just by spending more time outdoors.

Most of us would have definitely felt negative emotions during the national pandemic and local lockdowns that took place in 2020 and at the start of 2021. It certainly changed the way we socialised – causing more people to experience anxiety and other mental health issues. As well, with many of us experiencing ‘cabin fever’ whilst working remotely, majority of us turned to nature as therapy, or to simply take a break and get some fresh air and a sense of freedom! It became clear that lockdown helped many people reconnect with nature, giving people a renewed appreciation and better understanding of how much we depend on our environment for better health.

With lockdown restrictions easing and more of us eager to venture further afield, it’s important that we don’t turn our backs on nature, and remember that we must keep making more time for our environment when it comes to mental health benefits. In this blog we establish the power of nature, the positive effects it can have on our mental wellbeing and how we can make sure to preserve our environment:

 

Nature is medicine:

The advantages of nature will reduce feelings of stress, anger and fear and increase pleasant feelings drastically, it is reported that exposure to green spaces can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension, ultimately reducing mortality rates. Observing animals in their natural habitat can also make you physically and psychologically healthier. Research also indicates that if you have plants in your office, living room or bedroom – it can significantly reduce the impact of anxiety.

 

Nature and recovery:

When you focus your mind on what you see, you often forget the issues that you were once so focused on. That is exactly what nature can do for you, when you bring yourself back to the present and really take in nature, it can help us cope with pain. Research shows that patients in hospital recover quicker when they have clear views of nature from their window. This proves nature heals!

 

Increase attention to detail:

Following on from the recovery benefits, it is clear that when spending time in nature and being present, it can really increase our ability to pay attention to what is in front of us. It can ultimately put a pause to our overactive brains and make us feel more refreshed, rested and more productive.

 

Healthy environment, healthy life:

The more we care for our planet, we are essentially taking care of our health, our family and friends health and all of your futures! Clean air is vital not only to our health, but for all living things and if we continue to favour fossil fuels over renewable energy, the more we will destroy our environment to the point of no return.

 

It’s important to take advantage of nature’s benefits, but we should never take advantage of everything that nature can offer to us. If more of us commit to making greener and more sustainable lifestyle changes, we can combat climate change in a big way! There’re multiple things we can do to help preserve our planet, from reducing waste, recycling and swapping out harmful products to biodegradable options.

If you’re already doing these things, then GREAT! But if you want to go that extra mile by adding solar, battery storage or EV charge points to your home or business, then SolarCentric can certainly help you understand your renewable options in the most straightforward way possible.

Why not call us to book in for a free no obligation consultation and quote?

t        0330 0552155
e      designteam@solarcentric.co.uk

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It is important to shed light on gender balance due to the fact that female equality and values contribute to a more modern, social and open economy. With more women in leadership roles/positions, we can improve not only society, but business as well.

Women show remarkable resilience – they’re leading climate movements, helping, supporting, building and creating extraordinary projects to help society and our communities and they deserve every bit of recognition. We must not forget the women’s suffrage – the right for women to vote in elections, the #MeToo movement and many more extraordinary actions both genders have taken in order for women to be heard. History has taught us that change can happen through collective activism.

But despite this great change that is happening in some parts of the world, many people are not aware that climate change affects women more than men and so in honour of international women’s day, we think it is important to learn more about women and climate change.

How climate change affects women

Global warming affects us all, but its affects will have a greater impact on women because they’re more likely to experience poverty, and have less access to basic human rights in comparison to men.

In rural areas, women and girls are the primary source to gather food, water and household energy resources. As droughts worsen, forest fires become more apparent, women and girls must travel further away and in most cases spend more money to access these resources. Climate change exaggerates their existing workload and makes it harder for them to take on additional work for further income.

Women represent around 43% of the global agricultural workforce, but women in agriculture face countless barriers to economic independence making it harder for them to harvest land. As soil quality worsens and water shortage becomes more of an occurring problem, they will be unable to sell their produce and be financial secure.

How we can support each other

Thankfully, the Paris climate agreement includes specific provisions to ensure women receive support to cope with the hazards of climate change. Not only will this policy help, but we can help, through collective activism. In the workplace, in the classroom, within in our friendship groups, communities and within our general society.

Making a stand for female equality means making it a priority for the sake of all of our futures. It isn’t just about making headline news, legal victories and international agreements: its about the way we talk, think, and act every day which can create a ripple effect that benefits everyone!

Creating more space for diverse voices will ultimately provide a range of solutions to help us all tackle global issues together and when we are advocating women’s roles as decision-makers, educators and climate leaders, we can ensure greater environmental progress.

Its our issue, not just a female issue.

Solar is the fastest and most generous source of new energy in the world – its not going anywhere and it is becoming even more popular! Did you know, the sun strikes more energy to Earth in an hour than the entire world consumes in a year?

Its an astonishing amount of power and when you think about your roof and all the suns energy hitting your tiles, think about how it could be going into your very own solar PV system instead, and providing all your energy requirements!

We understand that many people have found solar information to be rather complex, containing a lot of industry jargon. But at SolarCentric, we avoid this – and after reading this short blog, we are confident that you will come away with a better understanding of how solar works and feel reassured about how solar panel systems can benefit you:

With solar panels ROI, it’s not about the instant return, its about the long term goal. When you invest in solar you can be bricks and mortar with your property and get the panels to pay you. It is said that properties that have solar sell for 14% more – by over £30,000 based on the average UK house.

So when you upgrade your property with solar panels – you hold value, an asset and with more people investing in solar, fossil fuels, oil and coal will just remain in the earth and cause no more harm.

The UK is undergoing a big change in how we power our homes and businesses and this is your chance to play a part. At SolarCentric, we provide an educational, inspiring and worry-free experience for our clients with our no-pressure sales approach. Our highly skilled design team will always guide you in the right direction when it comes to your personalised system, we can assist you in any project size and will ensure that you understand all the information we present and hand over to you.

If you’re environmentally conscious and looking to make green home improvements, our products page showcases our wide range of sustainable systems to view at your convenience.  

If you require a free quote and or further guidance from us, contact our design team today:

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For those who are unfamiliar with the term climate anxiety, it is an overwhelming phycology awareness of the state of our environment. Climate anxiety in youth, find themselves constantly anxious, feeling stressed and worried about global warming and experts are becoming concerned about the strain that the climate crisis is having on our younger generation’s mental wellbeing.

Phycologists have warned that continuous news stories on the devastation of our environment can become debilitating. When faced with a constant flow of negative information it can cause people to feel helpless. Young adults are already dealing with so many pressures in regards to their futures, the idea of potentially not having the chance to live a clean and better future is a heavy weight to carry.

We understand the psychological impacts of climate change all too well, but to reassure those experiencing climate change and mental health issues, we can safely say that you can combat climate anxiety and slow down climate destruction at the same time.

We created a step by step guide on how to train your mind with just five mindful tips, in order for you to consume and react to climate information in a much healthier way:

Don’t feel ashamed

When we think about doing our bit for the environment and actually taking action, we often feel proud and good about ourselves, which is great! But often when we take successful steps our minds tend to wonder, thinking; ‘I need to do more’ and ‘this isn’t enough to stop climate destruction’. It’s hard to not let our thoughts run wild, but its important that we bring our minds back and focus on the present and think ‘some steps are better than no steps at all’. It’s all about doing our bit, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Community clean up

You don’t have to sign up to a group clean up, you can organise your own community clean up by yourself. It’s always better to get volunteers, but whether you have ten people or just one person litter picking in your area, you will do wonders for nature and for your wellbeing. Its been documented that being outdoors is linked to better mental health, proving green is good.

Eco swaps

Making cut backs does require some research, which can seem a huge task if what your looking for is not on the sustainable or biodegradable list. But if you’re looking, you’re trying and that’s better than nothing. Educating yourself on kinder products, ways to use more public transport, researching electric cars, is better than nothing at all. To get a good idea on everyday eco lifestyle habits, you can visit and follow cariuma_greentips on Instagram, they share easy green tips and can help you make better shopping decisions. It’s all about trying!

Sustainable energy

Controlling, reducing and especially providing your own energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s important to note that when you do invest in solar PV, your property value can increase by £30,000!

How to talk about climate change

Getting involved in environmental projects big or small is great and you should definitely shout about it. The more we talk green, the more people we can educate. You don’t need a megaphone, just simply promote across social media. When you share your joys, your lows, the struggles, the benefits – people will definitely appreciate hearing your experiences and will take it upon themselves to follow suit.

The reality is, you can’t control everything that happens in life. All we can do is better ourselves, learn lessons and make greener choices when we can.

With these wellbeing tips on how to cope with eco-anxiety, you should feel more reassured by accepting and acknowledging the fact that you’re practicing a cleaner lifestyle and are mentally healthier at the same time.

If you know someone experiencing anxiety:
This guide can certainly help those understand how to cope with stress and overcome challenges but despite how beneficial these self-help steps can be, if you’ve made consistent efforts to improve your mental and emotional health and still feel unable to function – it may be time to seek professional help. Input from a caring professional can often help us to take better care of our health:

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.
Samaritan site: www.samaritans.org/wales/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/write-email/  

Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org

With more of us working hard to achieve environmental justice, it’s safe to say climate battles are certainly being won across the globe, and over the past few years we have witnessed some of the most monumental movements.

Initiating back to 2018, 15-year-old Greta Thunberg proposed school strikes around the world, encouraging millions of young adults to stand for better change. We’ve also seen some of the largest companies like Google, Apple and John Lewis recently announced their plans to go 100% green, pushing governments as well as their delivery, utility and IT sector to increase their renewable energy operations.

All of this is proof that sustainability is on the up and if you haven’t heard the latest news from the National Grid, back in July this year, reports stated that Britain’s action towards climate change will soon make us a carbon negative country by 2033. This is only thirteen years from now! What’s even more positive is that the National Grid expects a boom in renewable energy products, which is extremely encouraging for our green energy industry and we appreciate the National Grid’s extensive efforts to hit Britain’s 2050 climate targets.

For your consideration, we have put together some bullet points to keep you up to date with the UK’s mission to create a zero-carbon future. According to new research by the National Grid ESO:

• The electricity network operator set out its vision for an “emissions negative” grid that would include 30 million electric vehicles on UK roads, and 8 million heat pumps used to replace gas boilers in energy-efficient homes.
• The National Grid expects at least 3 gigawatts of new wind power capacity and 1.4 gigawatts of solar generation every year from now until 2050, alongside a widespread roll-out of electric vehicles.
• Persistent natural-gas use will be halved by 2038.
• As well, they anticipate the distribution of bioenergy which could lead to negative emissions in the power sector by 2033. (Bioenergy refers to electricity and gas that is generated from organic matter, known as biomass. This can be anything from plants and timber to agricultural and food waste – and even sewage).

Green energy systems are set to change and develop in the decades ahead and as we transition into this low carbon future, SolarCentric vow to continue to preserve our planet, guarantee quality energy products and create an informative platform to educate and inspire others to pursue cleaner energy.

With this positive and encouraging news, we’re certainly on our way to becoming a more renewable-fuelled world.

 

Need energy advice? Require our service and products?
Our fully accredited professionals are on hand to guide you in the right direction, contact us on:

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