In today's age, we're seeing businesses move towards more climate conscious and sustainable solutions when it comes to operation. Many businesses are looking to reduce their environmental impact, while also enhancing their profits. Renewable energy sources have been a key factor in achieving both, acting as a powerful tool for commercial and industrial organisations. Solar energy is a common resource that we are seeing be used in a range of business operations, bringing significant advantages for businesses of all sizes.
Our blog is here to explore how commercial solar can enhance business operations and help them meet their goals. To learn more about whether solar power may be right or your business, and the steps you can take to meet your environmental goals, keep on reading our article.
Understanding ESG Goals For Businesses
Before we dive into how solar power can be used by businesses to enhance their environmental impact, it’s important to understand the ESG framework. By understanding how businesses set goals and how they operate, we can understand the impact of renewable energy sources better.
What Are ESG Goals?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, which represents a framework that is used by both investors and companies. This framework is used to evaluate how a business performs in various areas. The ESG criteria helps assess different company’s ethical impact and sustainability, which can be driving factors for investors and influence customers.
● Environmental - Environmental assessments will look at how a company works to conserve natural resources, handles pollution and its overall impact on the environment. This includes waste management, as well as reducing carbon footprints.
● Social - This aspect looks at how a company manages its relationships. From managers and employees to suppliers and customers, it focuses on company practices that relate to others. This could include working conditions, employee health, diversity…etc.
● Governance - Governance looks at the internal systems, controls and procedures that a company uses to make decisions and comply with the law. This includes company leadership, pay, audits and shareholder rights.
So, how do environmental goals translate to solar power?
How Solar Power Aligns With Environmental Business Goals
Solar power is a key way of addressing a business's environmental goals, and helping them hit their sustainability targets. By reducing emissions and helping some organisations hit net-zero goals, solar solutions are incredibly effective. Solar power can help businesses align with and meet their sustainability goals in several other ways too.
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Reducing your carbon footprint is extremely important for businesses, and is often something that can be mitigated through various methods. By switching to renewable sources and changing procedures, businesses can make a huge reduction in their carbon footprint.
Zero - Emission Goals
In many countries, including the UK, many businesses have ambitious goals to mitigate the effects of climate change and minimise contribution to it. Aiming for net-zero emissions means the amount of gases released, and the amount of greenhouse gases removed by a business are completely balanced, achieving net-zero emissions.
Energy Independence
Businesses today that generate their own electricity can slowly start reducing their reliance on the national grid, avoiding extortionate energy prices. As businesses continue reducing their reliance on the grid, they can eventually move towards complete energy independence, utilising only the energy they produce through renewable sources.
Steps For Adopting Commercial Solar Power
Adopting solar or renewable power can seem tricky and complex, but with the right approach, businesses of all sizes can make the transition effectively. We’ve outlined the key steps for integrating solar solutions into your business below.
Conduct An Energy Audit
Before you actually invest in solar solutions, it’s important to understand your current energy usage, so that you can identify the areas which need improving, or opportunities to integrate solar solutions. An audit might include:
● Monthly assessments and annual energy consumption assessments
● Identifying the peak usage times in your business
● Identifying areas where energy is being wasted
● Estimating the scale of solar power that would be required to meet your business needs
An energy audit can help you determine the size of the solar system needed for your organisation, helping you maximise efficiency. Professional services can help you carry out audits, or help you use smart meters to accurately assess your energy use.
Consult With Professionals
By working with solar experts, you can make more informed decisions for your business. Professional specialists can help you:
● Evaluate your site
● Recommend the best systems, sizes and panel types for your business
● Provide accurate quotes
● Explain maintenance practises and costs
● Understand ROI forecasts
Exploring Financing Options
The upfront cost of solar power can be high, and will vary depending on the size of your business too. However, there are various financing solutions available that can help you manage the cost more effectively.
● Solar Leases - Spreading the cost over several payments & several years.
● Power Purchase Agreements - You will pay only for the energy produced, with smaller initial costs.
● Government Incentives - Tax credits, subsidies and grants are also possibilities for businesses looking to install solar. These incentives can help with initial installation expenses.
Businesses can also benefit from the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee), which helps them earn money by feeding excess power back to the grid.
Installation
Once you’ve worked through the previous steps, and worked out whether you are eligible for a government grant, you can choose your solar system. Once the design is approved, your installation process can begin. This will include things like:
● Mounting your solar panels in the chosen location
● Connecting inverters to convert your solar energy
● Integrating the solar system with your current power supply
In order to minimise the disruption to your operation, and ensure a smooth installation process, schedule your installation during off-peak hours and on days with manageable weather conditions.
Monitoring & Maintenance
After your installation has been completed, regular monitoring will ensure that your solar power system is working properly and as it should. Maintenance might include things such as:
● Digital monitoring tools for tracking your energy usage and production
● Regular maintenance checks need to be carried out - cleaning panels and inspecting inverters
● Identifying any issues with energy output
By investing in proper maintenance, you can keep your system operating efficiently and even extend its lifespan, delivering consistent energy savings for your business.
Sol PV Group: Renewable Energy & Commercial Solar Solutions
By understanding your business' ESG goals and commitment to sustainable energy sources, you can make the best decisions for your organisation. Investing in solar power can help your business reduce harmful emissions and move towards a more sustainable operation with a commitment to sustainability in business.
Here at Sol PV Group, we offer a range of energy and solar solutions for your business, helping you bridge the gap between your operations and renewable solutions. Whether you're looking for commercial solar experts or EV charging options, our team can help you find exactly what you're looking for.
To learn more about how we can help you with your solar and renewable energy goals, get in touch with our team today!
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