Energy savings for businesses: The benefits of solar PV and battery storage

This system offers numerous benefits, such as financial savings, greater energy independence, environmental benefits, and flexibility and efficiency in energy use. By installing a commercial solar photovoltaic system, businesses can generate their own electricity and significantly reduce their reliance on the grid whilst lowering their energy costs. Solar energy enables businesses to harness the sun’s clean, renewable energy, thereby reducing – or even eliminating – electricity bills. The initial investment required to install the system can often be recouped within a few years thanks to these savings, leading to increased profitability and improved financial stability.

In this case study, Julian Grant, Managing Director of Chauvin Arnoux UK, explains how data from a three-phase energy meter provides crucial insights into energy consumption, peak demand times, usage patterns and opportunities to improve energy efficiency whilst considering the installation of solar PV panels and a battery storage system.

Integrating a battery storage system with a commercial solar photovoltaic system offers businesses greater energy independence and enhanced reliability. Surplus solar energy generated during the day can be stored in batteries for use during periods of low solar output or at night. This stored energy ensures a continuous power supply, reducing reliance on the grid and providing protection against power cuts. By having a reliable, self-sufficient energy source, businesses can maintain their critical operations, thereby improving overall productivity and customer satisfaction.

In addition to reducing energy bills and dependence on the grid, another significant benefit of commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic systems is their positive environmental impact. Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source that produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. By switching to solar power, businesses can contribute to the global effort to combat climate change, reduce air pollution and conserve natural resources. Adopting sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint helps to enhance a company’s environmental reputation, thereby attracting environmentally conscious customers and stakeholders who favour environmentally responsible businesses.

Commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic systems offer businesses scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing energy needs. Thanks to the available roof space, businesses can easily increase their solar capacity by adding more panels. This enables them to generate additional electricity to meet growing demand. The modular nature of solar systems allows businesses to gradually increase their capacity over time, in line with their future growth plans and energy needs. The flexibility offered by commercial solar PV systems ensures they remain suitable in the long term and can be expanded if necessary.

Are you thinking of switching to solar PV? Here’s how you can get started!

Before embarking on a solar project, businesses must first gain a comprehensive understanding of their electricity consumption patterns by measuring usage throughout the day and night, assessing daily, weekly and monthly variations, and identifying seasonal fluctuations caused by factors such as lighting, heating and air conditioning. The best way to do this is to use a portable energy and power logger from Chauvin Arnoux, a powerful instrument that measures and records key parameters such as voltage, current, power and energy consumption. The data from this device provides crucial insights into actual energy consumption patterns, such as identifying peak demand periods, usage trends, sources of inefficiency and opportunities to improve energy efficiency.

The energy consumption data collected by the three-phase PEL also plays a crucial role in sizing a commercial photovoltaic system. It enables businesses to estimate the required capacity of solar panels to generate sufficient electricity to meet their energy needs. By taking into account factors such as available roof space, orientation, solar irradiance levels and energy usage patterns, the data obtained from a Chauvin Arnoux energy and power logger ensures that the photovoltaic system is correctly sized to maximise energy production and financial savings. The integration of a battery storage system into a commercial photovoltaic system further enhances energy independence and reliability. In this scenario, the three-phase PEL was used to determine the required capacity of the battery storage system by recording consumption data during hours without sunlight. This data provides insights into the amount of stored energy required to meet the site’s energy needs during periods of low solar generation or high consumption.

In conclusion, investing in a commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic system and a battery storage system can offer businesses a wide range of benefits. The substantial savings achieved through reduced electricity bills, increased energy independence and reliability make solar power an attractive solution. Furthermore, adopting solar power helps protect the environment by reducing the carbon footprint and encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy sources. In this way, businesses not only increase their profits but also position themselves as leaders in environmental protection, attracting more eco-conscious customers and partners who appreciate such a commitment to a greener future.

To find out more, see the PEL 113 product sheet