Solar Panels – Improving Eco-Credentials One Step at a Time

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Solar Panels – Improving Eco-Credentials One Step at a Time

Earlier this year, the government released a statement, revising their forecast for solar energy in the UK. They concluded, based on their observations of how widely solar panels were being used in the country, that by 2020, solar energy could count for as much as 4% of total energy produced, which is considerably higher than originally predicted.

Revolutionising Energy Production

Ed Davey, Energy Secretary at the time, stated that he was ‘amazed and delighted’ by the increase in solar panel use – which had been partly driven by more competitive prices in the marketplace. He predicted that ‘solar power will do to energy what mobile phones did for communication and markets’.

Part of the reason for his enthusiasm stems from the meteoric rise of solar panels in the UK. In 2014, solar power generation virtually doubled, and figures showed that there were 650,000 installations, from private panels for homes to entire solar farms. At the close of 2014, there were close to 5GW of solar panels installed. The previous year, the figure was just 2.8GW, so it’s a huge improvement.

A spokesman for the solar industry claimed there were now enough panels in the country to power a total of 1.5 million homes. The government predicts that this figure will rise to 4 million homes by 2020.

Benefitting Businesses

Of course, it’s not just homeowners that are joining the solar revolution. A number of businesses across the UK are choosing to power their premises using the sun’s natural energy, rather than spending a fortune on electricity from the National Grid.

Here’s some of the reasons they cite for choosing solar panels over conventional electricity sources.

1. Reduced maintenance.Once installed, solar panels require very little maintenance, only the occasional clean to ensure optimum performance. This means that, in terms of maintenance costs, they’re one of the cheapest power supply options available.
2. Long-term savings.There is an initial outlay involved with installing solar panels. However, this is offset over the years, thanks to savings on electricity and heating bills. Generally speaking, most businesses break even after only 8-10 years, and most panels are expected to last for 25 to 40 years. Over the course of time, this means big savings.
3. Green credentials.The world is becoming increasingly more aware of the environment, and businesses that make the effort to be as eco-friendly as possible are more highly regarded than their less environmentally aware counterparts. Having solar panels installed means that you’ll be regarded as a responsible, caring company, rather than someone with an eye on profit and not much else.

Installing Solar Panels

It’s easy to get started with solar panels, and they offer a lot of advantages for your business. If you’d like to find out more about getting solar PV panels installed, simply call the IPS Roofing team today on 01969 625000. We’re on hand to answer all your eco-related questions, and we also specialise in green roofing.