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The basic idea behind most forms of voltage optimisation is to reduce the incoming supply voltage from a level provided by the grid to one that is more suited to the needs of the equipment on site – with the main aim being to save money and energy.

Prior to 1995, the UK’s nominal voltage was 415/240V ±6% (227 – 254V) and this is what the distribution network was originally designed to provide. In 1995, this was changed to 400/230V +10% -6% (216 – 253V) in an attempt to get closer to Mainland Europe’s 380/220V ±6% (207 – 233V) and is where we remain today.

To make things easier for buying and selling electrical equipment within the EU, the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2006/95/EC was introduced to ensure that any equipment bearing the CE mark shall operate within the proposed harmonised voltage levels of 400/230V ±10% (207 – 253V).

Therefore, with all modern equipment being capable of operating at a nominal voltage of 230V and within 207 – 253V, it’s unnecessary to continue to operate in and around 240V. As stated above, this can cause equipment to consume more energy than required and can shorten life expectancy – this is where voltage optimisation can help.

Whether your business is looking to save money, reduce its carbon footprint or secure its future energy supply, Commercial Solar Power UK ltd provides expert commercial solar installations with proven high yielding solar panels.

The majority of a business premises electricity use is during the day which is why companies can significantly save money on their electricity bills. What’s more, solar panels have no moving parts, so ongoing maintenance costs are minimal. High users of generated electricity can benefit the most. Even
small commercial operations with lower energy use can still see huge energy cost savings.

One of the biggest reasons for making the decision to install solar is to become less dependent on the grid and financial gain.

Generating your own solar energy will achieve a significantly reduced carbon footprint. It may give you a competitive edge over peers who are exposed to rising electricity prices – not to mention that some of our customers have won contracts based on their green credentials. Generating solar energy for your business gives you free electricity and zero carbon emissions which results.

Solar

Adding renewable energy to your EasyGrid is an excellent way of further reducing your fuel costs and emissions. Solar is the most popular upgrade option on the EasyGrid range and gives a reliable input when sized and positioned correctly. Our team can help with determining the correct solar array size for your needs and each unit has detail on the sizing options that work to optimise your power for peak loads. Each solar panel kit & extension packs comes complete with panels, cables and connectors for your project. Please ask for prices and we can include this with your quotation.

Wind

All EasyGrid systems have an upgrade option that allows owners to integrate a wind turbine as part of their renewable power input either at time of order or retrospectively. Whilst solar arrays are a good source of renewable power, wind turbines can also deliver valuable additional energy. Solar power can produce great results when the sun is shining but that may be only for a few hours a day, particularly in the UK. A wind turbine, whilst it may not be as powerful, can be producing power at any point during the course of 24 hours. By integrating this additional renewable source, further reductions in generator run time, emissions and running costs can be achieved.

HEMS

HEMS (Hybrid Energy Management System). This advanced option helps optimise the delivery of power to a site and gives specific, in depth efficiency controls as to how loads are managed on site. The system still gives access to the VRM online portal but offers additional features including:
• Load shedding
• Improved energy storage
• Improved battery management
• Sophisticated quiet time settings
• Intelligent renewable energy management
• Detailed monitoring and data collection including emissions savings
• Multiple outlets on the hybrid unit which can be used and independently controlled.
• Light / rain / temperature sensors can be used to control power to certain sockets
• Shedding of non-critical loads to keep total consumption low.
• Intelligent generator starting via multiple start/stop parameters
• Sophisticated quiet time settings

These additional features can be particularly useful for cost savings,emissions reductions, sustainability improvements and reporting.

Our hybrid power systems combine the best available power generation & energy storage with sophisticated control. The systems are designed for the generation and use of electrical power in areas where a traditional grid connection is not available. Whether it is on a boat, a vehicle, commercial or residential site, our hybrid power systems deliver power in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Hybrid power brings you the ability to reduce emissions and drive up efficiency.  With many of our systems we combine of two or more energy sources for producing electricity: traditional power generation such as a generator alongside renewable power sources including solar and wind. This combined approach ensures a reduction in carbon emissions with cost effective power. The energy storage capacity combined with precise control allows our systems to deliver silent power when needed, essential in many environments at night time.

Use of the latest battery technology means our hybrid power solutions offer exceptional storage capabilities, allowing the most efficient use of the power generated with a compact footprint.  Even our integrated generators are variable speed so only the energy required is produced.

Expansive roof space, intensive machinery & enormous energy bills – just a few reasons as to why commercial solar PV panels are the perfect match for UK manufacturing, engineering and waste management companies.

Increasingly weighty business overheads are making energy consumption a growing source of concern, particularly with utility prices rising year on year. As a result forward thinking manufacturers are looking closely at both what they pay for their energy and how they use it.

Through installing solar PV panels manufacturing and engineering businesses are able to considerably cut their overheads, improve business operations and increase their bottom line with up to 100% savings on their daytime electricity costs Generally speaking, the higher the user of energy – the higher the savings and therefore the larger the benefits sought – making the manufacturing sector the perfect case for solar panels and renewable energy technologies.

The most popular method of harvesting sunlight in order to create energy is solar farming, and it is quickly becoming one of the most preferred new investments for companies and independent investors. Solar farms are large scale applications of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, providing a source of safe, locally produced renewable energy for many years after construction.

The land used for a solar farm creates a safe place where nature and wildlife can flourish. The ground beneath the solar panels can also be used to graze animals or grow grass and wildflowers. Due to their large area occupation, solar farms are usually developed in rural locations.

In order to get approval for solar farms in the UK, a series of rigorous planning procedures must be passed, taking into account the suitability of the site, any potential impact on the locality (will the presence of solar farms harm or endanger the environment, taking into consideration ecological as well as socio-economic factors) and the relevant renewable energy targets.

• Solar farms generate electricity locally and feed into the local electricity grid using energy from the sun to generate electricity.
• They represent time-limited, reversible land use and provide an increased, diversified and stable source of income for landowners.
• There are no moving parts, so assembly and maintenance is minimal.
• There is no by-product or waste generated, except during manufacturing or dismantling.
• They have lower visual and environmental impacts than other forms of power generation.
• Renewables give the customer the choice of buying green electricity and reduce reliance on scarce fossil fuels.

Battery storage for solar panels works by diverting electricity to charge the batteries when the system detects you are using less than you are generating. This will continue until either the batteries are full, or you start using more electricity than you are generating. At that point, the batteries will kick in so you start using the stored electricity before buying more from your supplier.

There are two main types of battery storage system; AC-coupled and DC-coupled.

AC-coupled batteries are connected at the property’s distribution board so any energy feeding into the battery goes through the solar inverter before going into the battery. This means that any energy generated by the solar PV, stored in the battery and used in the property is converted from DC to AC through the solar inverter, back to DC to be stored in the battery and finally back to AC to be used within the property. All this converting means that there are losses within the system and that less energy comes out of the system as than was put in. This ratio of energy in to energy out is known as the efficiency of the battery system and varies between different types of batteries. In general, current battery systems are about 80-90% efficient.

DC-coupled batteries are connected between the solar panels and the solar inverter. The advantage of this is that there is no need to convert the energy generated by the solar panels as it is already in DC form and ready to be stored. There are, however, restrictions on the lengths of the strings connected into the battery and the type of inverter which means that DC-coupled storage systems need to be carefully designed before installation.

Ground-mounted installations are another option to consider in the process of your commercial project. For businesses desperate for the benefits of commercial solar but have restricted roof space, a ground mounted install could be an ideal solution. Ground-mounted solar PV is perfect for farms, or businesses with a substantial amount of land where you’ve got the flexibility to expand on your PV panels in the future if you would like and their just as easy to remove if need be.

Commercial rooftop solar panels are more reliant on the angle of your roof and fundamentally need a south-facing roof to ensure you get maximum efficiency out of your solar. Where as with ground-mounted solar, we can often accommodate your panels to face south for complete productivity.

As any commercial business looking to achieve more and reflect this to their existing customers and potential customers, having solar as an added asset shows the type of company you are. Not just that but, it also encourages the public to do their bit for the environment as well in the cycle to create a greener community for everyone involved.

Solar panels need to be installed carefully by professionals who have a great deal of knowledge and experience in the industry. Ensuring your installation goes smoothly and the roof is not damaged means using trusted and experienced solar installers with a good reputation.