In 2025, companies need to consider sustainability in their goals. It not only allows businesses to meet regulatory requirements. It also enhances their reputation. This increases business and future opportunities. If everyone actively contributes to sustainability, the world will see a significant positive impact. It will improve overall resource management and world well-being.

There are many ways companies can work towards becoming greener. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting nature, and delivering social governance. The UK Government is also actively encouraging businesses to become more sustainable. SMEs in particular are the focus of these efforts. The government offers initiatives and financial support. One way businesses can become more sustainable is through the installation of solar panels. This can result in cut energy costs. It also improves the environmental image. There may even be potential property value changes.

Keep on reading to find out more about some of the benefits of solar panels and how they help achieve sustainability goals!  

Benefits of solar panel installation

Cost saving – One of the main benefits of solar panel installation is the reduction in energy costs, leading to long-term savings on energy bills. Depending on the size of the business (and size of solar panels requested), the estimated cost can vary from £12,780 for a 10kW system to £127,800 for a 100kW system.

For most businesses, there is also a 100% first-year allowance (FYA) on solar panels, meaning business owners can cut 100% of the value of solar installation from a corporation tax bill.

Increased property value – Installing solar panels across business sites can help significantly increase the value of a property, enhancing its appeal to environmentally conscious buyers and marketability. The fact that they lead to lower energy expenses and reduced carbon footprint can also lead to higher rents.

Increased income – There is a potential for income if businesses are producing excess energy, and it can be sold back to the grid. This can lead to reducing or eliminating electricity costs, allowing for increased profit margins.

How does solar panel installation help companies achieve sustainability goals?

Now you know the benefits of solar panel installation, but how do companies achieve their sustainability goals and measure success? The good news is that the installation of solar panels allows for tangible data collection on both energy production and consumption.

Metrics can vary from –

• Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Emission reductions
• Return on investment (ROI) through energy savings

Types of Commercial Solar Panel Systems

Your company is set on installing solar panels. You may wonder what types of panels are available. The choice depends on the size of the business and the budget. Different companies offer a variety of prices. They also offer different guarantees and packages. The UK government recommends using MCS-certified installers and products. The first step is to assess your company’s energy needs. Also, assess the available space. For example, a small business with one office building needs fewer panels. This leads to lower installation fees. A larger business with many office spaces needs more panels.

• Monocrystalline – This type of solar panel is made from a single, pure layer of silicon, giving it a dark appearance. They are the most durable option out there, allowing for high efficiency (15% to 24%), resulting in more power per square meter. This makes it more cost-effective for owners once their energy bills start coming in.

However, they are more expensive than polycrystalline panels, which could be a deciding factor for smaller businesses with a lower budget.

• Polycrystalline – In comparison to monocrystalline, polycrystalline panels have slightly less efficiency, between 13% and 17%.

An important note, however, is the fact that many of the best solar panel installers don’t install polycrystalline, and are only available second-hand. Polycrystalline solar panels now account for 0% of global production, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The best solar panel installers use monocrystalline panels, while other specialist companies can fit solar roof tiles, thin-film panels, or transparent panels.

• Thin-film – Thin-film panels are slightly different from both monocrystalline and polycrystalline, as thin-film panels don’t offer silicon wafers. Instead, they include semiconducting materials like silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium selenide. Like polycrystalline, they are less efficient than monocrystalline with less durability. They are also less visually appealing, which could be an important factor if the panels are front-facing for your business.

How can businesses get support for solar panel installation?

With solar panels being an expensive and time-consuming task, some companies may find the need to have external support. Specialist providers like Mitie can help with different steps in the process, from –  

• Planning a resilience strategy
• Incorporating solar PV, wind power, battery storage, and heat networks
• Store solar power on site through battery storage
• Receive 24/7 monitoring and maintenance for maximum ROI
• Minimise energy costs and provide stability with smarter grids

The general solar panel installation process can, of course, vary, but generally includes –

• Setting up scaffolding – needs to be done ahead of the panel installation, and can take the most time and may need multiple people to achieve in a suitable timeframe.
• Install the safety mounts – The safety mounts hold the panels in place and provide a safe, stable foundation for the panels.
• Mount the solar panels – The panels will now be added to the safety mounts, where they can be tilted for optimal positioning.
• Secure the electric wiring – MC4 connectors are the most common connectors for panels, and are often pre-wired from the manufacturer for simple, easy installation.
• Connect the solar inverter – Installed near the main panel, and is often one of the lengthy stages of the process.
• Bond the solar inverter to the solar battery – For this step, you connect the solar inverter to the consumer unit to generate electricity.
• Test the solar panels – Test each part of the panels to ensure everything is operating correctly.

Overall, we hope this blog article has been insightful in learning more about how solar panels can help achieve company sustainability goals. If business owners need support with any step of the entire process, companies like Mitie can help.