Commercial Electricity Generation
(Systems from 4kw up to 5Mw)
Photovoltaic Panels
Wind Turbines
Photovoltaic Panels
Ideal for ...
- Reducing in your energy costs
- Greening your business
- Generating extra revenue
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Photovoltaic panels (PV) explained
Photovoltaic panels or cells are constructed from one or two layers of semi conducting material,
usually silicon and use the sun’s energy to produce electricity. Electricity is created when light shines
on the cell. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.
Best practice
The panels need to be installed on a south-facing roof or 90° of south, not overshadowed by trees
or other buildings .
The roof structure must be strong enough to take their weight. Most modern roof coverings are
suitable for accommodating an on roof system, however older corrugated cement or fibre board
roofs are not.
PV installations can operate on an on grid or off grid set up. An on grid system produces electricity
during daylight hours and uses it within your premises; any electricity produced and not used is then
sold back to the national grid. Find out about feed-in tariffs >
If the system is not producing enough for your needs, power is simply pulled from the grid, this all
happens automatically.
Off grid systems require batteries to store the electricity generated during the day. This set up
requires some maintenance. There is also an implication on the feed-in tariff rate.
Please note: A Micro Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installer such as East Green
Energy must be employed to qualify for feed-in tariffs.
Types and options
PV cells come in many different shapes and sizes: hybrid monocrystalline, polycrystalline and
amorphous film; Framed models that can be retro fitted on top of existing roof tiles; semi-integrated
modules which can be fitted within the roof tiles and photovoltaic slate which blend in with the roof
slates.
Each option has advantages for different applications. For aesthetic reasons certain cell types may
be preferred by a planning officer.
Planning considerations
There are no permitted development rights for commercial buildings: planning permission will
always be required.
Technical product Information
Download - Velux >
To discuss detailed system queries and requirements with our technical team, please contact us. >
Outline costs
To discuss costs for specific large scale or trade projects please contact us >
Frequently asked questions
You may find an additional useful resource in our general FAQs information >
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Making business sense
Large commercial sites can gain an additional revenue stream by zero investment leasing of their
roof space or brown field areas and benefit from much reduced energy costs. Shared equity schemes
are available. Light industrial units can benefit from owning their own PV systems.
Making money.
Solar PV offers real income potential: whether you fund the system yourself or lease your building,
government feed-in tariffs give 25 years’ worth of non-taxable ‘thank you’ payments for energy units
generated and buy up any surplus units at a premium to feed back in to the national grid,
Making green sense
Sunlight is a free resource. PV systems allow you to convert this to electricity to bring power to your
premises at the same time as reducing your carbon footprint. More >
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Customer case studies
We are currently compiling this customer case study, so do check back soon. In the meantime
please take a look at our other case studies >
Wind Turbines
Ideal for ...
Feed-in tariffs overview >
Free assessment >
Best practice
Microwind turbines work best in exposed locations without turbulence caused by obstacles such as
buildings and trees. Local topography and obstacles will have a significant impact on the annual
energy production of a wind turbine. To be effective such a turbine needs an average wind speed in
excess of 6 metres/second (21 miles/ hour.
Wind turbine generated power attracts government incentive payments. Find out about feed-in tariffs >
Types and options
Tower-mounted wind turbines have output capacity starting at 11kw up to 250kw.
A note on noise
Measured in decibels dB(A):
- Speech is typically 50-60dB(A)
- Rural night time background noise is 20-40 dB(A)
- 11kw wind turbines at 30m away are approx 50dB(A)
Winning efficiency
Power is a measure of energy flow and is measured in Kilowatts (kW). The amount of energy
produced is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Wind turbines are measured in kilowatt-hours peak
(Kwp).
An 11 Kwp turbine will produce 11kw of electricity when spinning hard in high wind; as the wind
speed reduces, so too does the output of the turbine. The annual output per 1Kwp is around
3000kw (for photovoltaic systems this is 880kw).
Technical product Information
To discuss detailed system queries and requirements with our technical team, please contact us. >
Outline costs
To discuss costs for specific projects please contact us. >
Frequently asked questions
You may find an additional useful resource in our general FAQs information >
Back to top
Making business sense
Large commercial sites can gain an additional revenue stream by zero investment leasing of their
brown field areas and benefit from much reduced energy costs. Shared equity schemes are also
available. Industrial units can benefit from owning their own wind turbine systems.
Making money
Wind turbines offer real income potential: whether you fund the system yourself or lease your
building, government feed-in tariffs give 25 years’ worth of non-taxable ‘thank you’ payments for
energy units generated and buy up any surplus units at a premium to feed back in to the national
grid.
Making green sense
The UK is an ideally suited to microwind turbine power generation with 40% of all the wind energy in
Europe blowing over the country. They are great for delivering power and at the same time as
reducing any carbon footprint. More >
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Customer case studies
We are currently compiling this customer case study, so do check back soon. In the meantime
please take a look at our other case studies >
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