Solar Panel Installers
Commercial & Residential Solar Panel Systems
R&B can install, service and repair your solar panel system. We are MCS & RECC registered to undertake all solar panel installation and maintenance, and our design and solar panel installation engineers have over a decade of experience installing solar PV systems for commercial and residential customers.
Solar PV systems are certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as an approved technology. This means as an MCS Certified installer we can install MCS Certified Solar PV Panels and offer consumers the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar PV is also eligible under the Green Deal.
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Solar PV
How do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panel systems capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. PV cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.
Photovoltaic systems use cells to convert solar radiation into electricity. The PV cell consists of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow.
The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.
Photovoltaic Systems generate no greenhouse gases, a typical domestic system can save approximately 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year – adding up to almost 30 tonnes over a system’s lifetime.
Make substantial savings by reducing your current energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
How Much do Solar Panels Cost?
The cost of solar panel (PV) systems varies, depending on the size of the system to be installed, the type of PV cell used and the nature of the actual building on which the solar panels are mounted. The size of the system is dictated by the amount of electricity required.
For the average domestic system, costs can be around £5,000- £7,500 per kWp installed, with most domestic systems usually between 1.5 and 3 kWp. Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels, and panels that are integrated into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.
A 2.5kWp array can provide enough electricity to meet around half a households electricity needs, this means a saving of around £250 a year.
Solar Panel Energy Savings
Installing solar panels allows you to make savings on your electricity bill by generating your own electric to power the appliances in your home or business. This means you will not have to purchase as much electricity from your energy supplier. The amount you save will vary depending on how much electricity you use. You can now also store unused solar generated electricity by installing a solar battery storage system.
Under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and using MCS-certified products, R&B Mechanical & Electrical Ltd can:
- Explain how we calculate the size of the system appropriate to your needs.
- Supply clear information and system operating instructions.
- Explain how you should maintain your system.
- Provide an estimate of how much heat and electricity will be generated by any proposed system, and illustrate what this means in terms of your current energy needs.
- Provide an estimate of the savings you could make after installation.
Can I Have Solar Panels on My Roof?
You can use solar PV panels for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow for parts of the day, the output of the system decreases.
Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles.
Solar PV installations should always be carried out by a trained and experienced MCS Certified installer.
Our solar panel design and installation engineers can advise and discuss all options with you and undertake a site visit to establish the suitability of your premises for a solar panel install. We will produce a detailed no obligation quotation and proposal report specific to your requirements.
Do I Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels?
Unless your property is a listed building, located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a conservation zone or a national park, planning permission is not usually required if you are planning a roof-mounted solar panel system up to 1MW in size. Further information regarding planning permission requirements for solar panel installations can be found on the government Planning Portal.
Commercial Solar Panels
Many businesses recognise the huge potential income stream available from solar energy. By simply utilising the roof area on your business premises, farm buildings, factories or facilities, you can install a solar panel system and start saving a fortune on your electricity bills.
Having been developed over the last half-century, commercial solar panels are a tried and tested technology. Solar PV systems also have few moving parts, meaning that solar panel systems require little maintenance and are extremely reliable. Although more electricity is produced on sunny days, panels will also work well on overcast days, and so solar PV is well-suited to the British climate. Solar installations are well suited to commercial sites, as systems remain cost effective through a wide range of sizes.
Commercial Solar Panel Benefits
- Cost savings – Solar panels generate free, green electricity during daytime hours that can be used on site, lowering your business demand for energy from the grid and potentially saving thousands of pounds on energy bills.
- Solar income – Ideally you would use all the solar power onsite, however any surplus power can be sold to the grid.
- Financial stability – With energy prices predicted to sharply rise in the next 10 years, commercial solar panels allow you to effectively forward-buy your electricity at a set price, making financial forecasting much easier.
- Low risk investment – Solar PV is a reliable and safe investment vehicle that provides returns exceeding those of traditional low risk financial products.
- Energy security – With the grid currently struggling to generate significant electricity supply to meet the UK’s growing energy demands, and the government’s recent introduction of mandatory energy audits for large businesses via the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and possible future energy usage regulation, independent solar installations are and excellent backup measure.
- Lower carbon footprint – Generating your own solar energy will significantly reduce your carbon footprint, increase your company’s sustainable credentials, and improve your business reputation.
Commercial Solar Panel Installation
Further benefits from commercial solar panels
- Commercial Solar PV is achieving ROI as high as 30%
- If your business operates seven days a week ROI can increase to 35%
- Commercial operations stand to gain the most from Solar PV systems as they use multiple electrical appliances during daylight hours. Imagine true energy independence – no electricity bills…
- Many businesses have large available areas to install Solar PV panels. We can help you make the most of them and dramatically increase your earning potential. Investing in Solar PV on your roof turns dead space into a healthy income
- Installing Commercial Solar PV lowers your company’s carbon emissions, demonstrating your green credentials to customers, suppliers and industry. Good PR opportunity
- Reducing emissions and our commercial carbon footprint is moving from an aspiration to a requirement. For many sectors, especially those looking to build partnerships with suppliers and retailers ISO 14001 is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for many partnerships. Installing a Solar PV system alongside implementing an environmental management plan can make a big difference when it comes to attracting new as well as repeat business. A Solar PV installation can help you gain an extra competitive advantage in a challenging economic climate
- You can use land or roof space on storage or production facilities to generate a second, year-round income stream – an easy way of maximising the value of buildings or underused areas of land
- Solar PV is an incredibly secure investment. Payments are Government guaranteed through the Feed in Tariff for 20 years and will soon repay the cost of the initial system installation
- Of all the solar technologies currently available Solar PV is the most reliable, affordable and proven to give you good ROI. Solar PV will protect your business against future energy shortages and price increases
- The system has no moving parts and therefore requires very little maintenance
- Most Solar PV installations don’t need planning permission. Those that do, experience very little red tape
- Panels can be installed on east or west facing roofs with only a small reduction in performance.
- Solar PV panels will work as soon as there is radiation. Even on a freezing cold winter’s day, your system will generate energy. They don’t need direct sunlight and will still work in low light conditions
Solar Panel Quotation
R&B M&E Ltd are committed to working with you to ensure you make a fully informed decision when choosing which Solar PV system is right for you. We start by establishing your exact needs before offering a choice of systems and continue to discuss further options until you are certain you know which system is right for your property and your pocket. There’s a lot of information about Commercial Solar PV and we can go in to as much detail as you need.
- Genuine, impartial advice
- Realistic, accurate savings forecast
- System designed to meet your exact needs
- Quick response to queries
- We follow the strictest industry standards
- Our own engineers do every job
- Other in house trades for associated works
- MCS accredited company
- We believe in renewable energy
- All the above means higher returns for you
Please request a quotation by completing the webform below, with a brief description of your requirements, and we will get back to you as soon as we can to take some more details. Thank you.
What is RECC?
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) was set up by the Renewable Energy Association. RECC’s aim is to guarantee a high quality experience for consumers wishing to buy or lease small-scale energy generation systems for their homes, and in this way promote the small-scale renewable sector. RECC’s members have agreed to comply with the high standards set out in the Code, and the RECC logo is a sign of this commitment. The Code is approved by Trading Standards Institute as part of its self-regulation initiative, the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS).
What is MCS?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent scheme that certifies microgeneration products and installers in accordance with a set of quality standards. It is designed to provide a minimum level of protection and assurance to consumers as well as a sign of quality to be boasted by MCS Installers. The guarantee of quality and the trust demonstrated to MCS customers illustrates the importance of becoming MCS certified and becoming a member of microgeneration certification scheme.
Glossary
PV = Photovoltaic, simply the transfer of light (photo) in to electric (voltaic).
Wp = Watts peak. This refers to the peak power of a panel. Typical panels for the UK market are between 250Wp and 345Wp.
kW = 1000 watts
kWp = kilo Watts peak. 1kWp = 1000Wp. Domestic systems are usually 4kWp, Commercial installations are normally up to 50kWp and industrial installations can reach 1000kWp (or 1MWp).
kWh = kilo Watt hour. This is the same as one unit of electric. We buy electric in units or kWh. If you use 1 kW (kilo Watt) for one hour then you will have used a single unit of electric.
Inverter = The inverter is a ‘box’ that sits in the building changing the DC electric from the panels to AC electric that is acceptable for your appliances and the national grid. Inverter position is extremely important. .
Mounting system = This is the frame, brackets, hooks etc required to hold the panels in place. Various solutions are available to deal with the many situations that Solar PV panels can be mounted in.
FIT = Feed in Tariff, this is the government scheme which enables solar PV system owners to be paid for every unit that is generated by their system, whether the unit goes in to the grid or is used by the customer, you get paid FIT for that unit.
Export = This is a further tariff that is paid for any units that go in to the grid. On systems of 30kWp or less there is an assumption made that you will be paid for exporting half of the units generated. This is because it is uneconomical to install an export meter for systems of this size.
R&B M&E Ltd
Solar Panel Installers
Building 7, Devonshire Works, Pitt Street
Keighley, West Yorkshire
BD21 4PF
GB
mail@rnb-mne.co.uk
Phone: 01535 687010
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