SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION –

COMMERCIAL / INDUSTRIAL / AGRICULTURAL

There are very few differences between an agricultural, industrial, commercial and domestic installation other than size.

Whilst a domestic property would routinely have a single array made up of only one or two strings of panels a larger agricultural/commercial system could have several arrays and inverters to make up the final system, depending on the size of the area available and the system size required. In addition, a domestic installation would be normally installed under Engineering Recommendation G83/1 where a larger commercial system could be required to conform to Engineering Recommendation G59.

The basic differences lie in the way the fundamental safety systems are implemented. In a G83/1 installation, the inverters are type tested to G83/1, where as in a larger scale system the protection is afforded by the installation of a stand alone G59 compliant relay which is set up and commissioned by a specialist engineer to verify all parameters are met, this can also involve witness testing by the local DNO engineers.

All this is routinely taken care of by C Gascoigne Ltd. with little to no involvement from the client unless specified otherwise.

What return can I expect?

Very similar to those on a domestic property, but normally on a larger scale as you will receive the Feed In Tariff (Cash Back) incentive appriopriate to the size of system that you install.

For more information on the feed in tariff click here.

We would routinely consider a slightly different panel that are heavier and take up more space as these factors are not normally so stringent on a commercial installation. These panels can show up to a 10% greater yield as they are more suited to diffused light i.e. cloudy days as apposed to direct sun.

However, as a business there would also be added advantages:

• Reduction in carbon omissions (and so reduce any carbon taxes that may be applied)
• Promote a green business ethic
• Reduction in the long term business overhead
• An increase in the value of the business premises
• The generation results can be presented in real time on to a visual display unit that can be networked and monitored remotely as well as locally. This can be used as a method of reinforcing your business ethos to your clients, visitors and staff.

How would it work on my business premises?

The system could be installed where ever you had space (roof, field, barn, car park etc) taking in to account the orientation of the panels as this would impact the amount of electricty generated.

The schematic drawing opposite simply outlines how the system would be installed.

It must be borne in mind that:

• if you aren’t the buildings owner you would need to get permission from the Landlord, along with local planning consents.
• The structural integrity of any roof space being used would need to be considered along with any leakage/maintenance/access issues for the future.
• There would need to be space within the building or an accessible exterior wall for the inverters/and associated controls to be installed.

How would this impact my business/employees?

There should be no impact on the running of your business whilst the installation takes place. In addition, as contractors, we are fully aware of the necessity for good Health & Safety planning. As a result we would always ensure that the necessary health and safety risk assessments were undertaken and relevant method statements issued prior to any works being undertaken. As an NICEIC approved contractor you can also count on the quality, compliance and integrity of our electrical installations too.

To find out more please contact us so that we can assist you with this having understood your business needs and goals.