solar panel view from top
24 Jan
Solar Panels

Why your manufacturing or logistics business needs to invest in warehouse solar panels this year

Manufacturing and logistics businesses typically use a lot of electricity and energy to power machinery, provide lighting and heating for their factories and warehouses. Also to ensure that deliveries can be picked and transported. Such high amounts of electricity can result in sky-high fuel bills and rapidly rising overheads. This is where warehouse solar panels can make a huge difference, not just to a company’s sustainability goals, but to its financial bottom line.

Installing warehouse solar panels

One thing that everyone knows about warehouses is that they are very big indeed, with large, flat surfaces in multiple places. This makes the physical buildings ideal locations for installing photovoltaic panels. They can be positioned to capture as much sun as possible. Multiple sets of panels can also be installed on larger rooftops. Warehouses are normally built in industrial areas alongside other commercial premises. So, the aesthetics of warehouse solar panels are not as important as if they were to be installed in a residential our countryside area. Rather, sleek, elegant warehouse solar panels can actively improve the look of a large, flat roof and inspire other organisations in the vicinity to have them installed.

A long-term investment

Commercial projects involving renewable energy work best when there is room in the business plan for long-term investment. Warehouse solar panels will require an initial financial outlay for their purchase and installation. There may also be financial commitments around annual servicing and regular maintenance contracts. The longer that warehouse solar panels can remain in place, generating electricity for immediate use or storage, the more money they can save the company on energy bills, heating and lighting. Surplus electricity can also be sold back to the National Grid, which can help a commercial premises build up even more income over the longer term.

Climate change, sustainability and the journey to net zero

The green agenda is increasingly prominent in business plans and corporate goal setting. Manufacturing and logistics companies can produce far more carbon and use far more energy than other types of enterprise. Therefore, investments in warehouse solar panels will go a long way towards offsetting the carbon produced by fossil fuels and paving the way towards greater renewable energy use. Electricity generated from warehouse solar panels can help these types of companies improve their sustainability figures and move closer to their stated goals around reducing carbon emissions and achieving net zero.

Employee engagement and productive PR

Many companies are using climate change initiatives as a basis for attracting quality employees and raising awareness of their ecological work in press and PR activities. More and more people are choosing obviously green companies to work for. This is because they align with their personal values around sustainability and protecting the planet’s finite resources. Good manufacturing and logistics staff can be hard to find – and even harder to retain due to the competition and high demand out there. Being able to show prospective employees your warehouse solar panels helping to reduce fossil fuel reliance can be a big selling point when it comes to recruitment. Clearly visible warehouse solar panels can also become an excellent selling point in your company’s PR and marketing collateral. They make excellent subjects for promotional photography and the details of how much energy is produced, stored and sold back to the National Grid can strongly support any green agenda publicity.

Future proofing for your warehouse business

Warehouse solar panels need only be the start of a company-wide shift to renewable energy and green electricity generation. Having an effective, efficient solar panel system can inspire other initiatives that will future-proof the company. Lessening reliance on oil, gas and other fossil fuels to run a manufacturing or logistics business can provide stability in times of unstable geopolitics and conflict. The idea can spread out to other aspects of running the business. For example, electric or hybrid vehicles can be used to transport goods and move pallets around the warehouse. Employees can be incentivised to switch to electric vehicles to get them to and from work each day. Electric charging points and bicycle racks can be installed in the car park. These can even be powered by warehouse solar panels to increase synergy between existing green energy commitments and employees’ access to sustainable resources.

battery with solar panels
15 Jan
Solar Batteries

Solar battery storage and the rise of AI: Six solar energy trends for 2024

Now that 2024 is upon us, thoughts turn to what the next 12 months have in store for the versatile, rapidly evolving solar energy market. The growth of the popular renewable energy shows no sign of slowing down, with technological advances at the centre of its ongoing evolution. From solar battery storage solutions playing a vital role in ensuring stable energy supplies to artificial intelligence revolutionising energy production, 2024 looks set to be another exciting year for the sector. Here are six trends that look set to continue, or ramp up in the coming year.

Solar battery storage

Pivotal to a successful transition from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives is the ability to store excess electricity until it is needed. Solar battery storage systems have been increasing in capacity and efficacy for some time. This year, it is thought that this technology will become even more important. Geopolitical instability in key energy areas such as the Middle East and Russia will render the need for renewable energy sources more vital than ever before. Having powerful, technologically advanced solar battery storage solutions in place will help hugely with the need to have access to energy and electricity generated closer to home.

Advances in solar panel technologies

As global attention remains firmly on renewable energy as a way to help combat climate change and reduce fossil fuel use, so investment in associated technology in will continue into 2024. Time and money will be spent on finding ways to ensure that solar power can be accessible and efficient. Advanced solar battery storage solutions will complement greater efficiencies in solar panels. Innovations such as bifacial panels, which can capture solar energy on both sides rather than just one will help with this predicted trend. Other advances are likely to be around increasing the amount of energy that can be collected, and the speed and efficacy of its conversion into useable electricity for a household or business.

Increased support from the Government

Linked to concerns over geopolitical issues affecting energy supply is a predicted continuation of, or even increase in Government support for renewable energy projects and equipment such as solar battery storage and photovoltaic solar panels. Sustainability issues and climate change policies will also shape governments’ responses to the need to support and fund renewable initiatives to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote cleaner energy. Financial incentives like feed-in tariffs and tax credits will also drive growth in domestic and commercial markets.

Decentralising solar power

The trend of moving the control of energy production to individual households and businesses will also continue into 2024, as more people and companies wake up to the benefits of solar panels, solar battery storage and other renewable energy solutions. While the National Grid will continue to play a larger part in providing energy across the UK, more people will be able to produce their own electricity and sell back surplus to the National Grid to help offset the costs of photovoltaic panels and solar battery storage. This will help foster independence and greater resilience when it comes to energy production.

Ongoing interest in renewable energy issues from individuals and businesses

As renewable energy evolves and improves through technological advancements, so the subject will remain high on the agendas of media outlets and discussion fora. Global event such as the series of COP conferences will attract global leaders from around the world. High-level delegates will continue to discuss renewable energy solutions and how to support innovations in solar energy. This will include improving and empowering solutions such as solar battery storage and solar panel technology. The topic of renewable energy will be included on boardroom agendas, school curricula and social media platforms. As such, it will remain in the public domain for the whole year and play a large part in discussions about moving away from oil, gas and other fossil fuels.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence is becoming more and more integrated into different sectors around the world, from healthcare to city planning; education to communications. Renewable energy and solar power is no exception. The clever technology is playing a larger part than ever before in controlling solar battery storage, optimising solar panel positioning and predicting energy production quantities and timings. The adoption of AI in solar battery storage and panel systems will lead to better performance overall and more effective processes.