With an expected typical increase of £693 per year on household bills, there has been a media frenzy around the cost of energy. The effect on businesses is potentially worse.
The record increase in global gas prices has prompted the domestic energy cap price rise of 54%. This is to stop energy companies from having to supply electricity and gas to customers for less than they’ve paid for it.
Businesses on commercial energy contracts are not protected by a price cap. In fact, businesses could see their bills increase by as much as 125% this winter.
Commercial energy saving has become a primary focus for senior management teams with attention turning to sustainability and solar energy.
The design challenges posed by the unique environment of a Fire Station included demanding spaces and operations such as
Why choose solar energy for commercial energy savings
When it comes to sustainability, solar energy provides the stability that businesses need. Solar Crown Commercial is a commercial energy consultancy that specialises in green energy and low carbon technology such as solar photovoltaics and LED lighting.
As a well established energy consultancy we help customers benefit from installing solar energy and being less reliant on commercial energy suppliers.
Benefits of solar energy
- Clear costs – protection from unpredictable energy price increases
- Reduced carbon footprint using solar PV (photovoltaics) to generate green energy
- Option to sell excess electricity back to the supplier
- Solar photovoltaics are now more affordable for businesses
- Long term investment of around 20-25 years
- Free solar energy after the upfront cost is cleared
- The Super Deduction – businesses can claim up to 130% of their Capital Allowances back from HMRC which include solar panels
- Positive PR and branding
Combining solar energy with LED lighting reduces the energy costs of a commercial property considerably. LED lighting is energy efficient, has a long lifespan, operates in cold conditions, produces no heat or UV emissions and is versatile in its application.
Case study: West Lancashire Borough Council
Solarcrown Commercial have worked with West Lancashire Borough Council (WLBC) on many environmental projects as the preferred energy consultancy.
The brief has always been to reduce the cost of heating and lighting in commercial buildings such as offices, service depots, sheltered accommodation and high rise flats.
Wireless integration, remote monitoring and reporting have been used to create energy and cost savings, with maintenance and testing regimes, without the need for costly manual intervention. We provide reporting of carbon savings, energy cost comparison and statutory maintenance performance with all stakeholders.
Here are two example sustainability projects:
Warden supported self-contained accommodation
For a self-contained accommodation site for older people we were tasked with energy reduction of the existing lighting installations. Compliance was a key element of this project following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. We presented a lighting and emergency lighting system that met the requirements for energy saving and statutory compliance.
By using Mymesh, a wireless mesh network system, our cloud-based installation managed the lighting and emergency lighting with full monitoring and reporting.
WLBC Derby Street Head Office
The brief was for a retrofit lighting scheme to achieve energy and carbon savings while improving the overall presentation and user experience of the building. The existing lighting scheme was old and of poor energy efficiency.
Solarcrown Commercial provided ultra-low energy LED lighting products, automated lighting controls and emergency lighting for statutory compliance. We installed a linear suspended lighting system that is glare compliant for office buildings. PIR sensors were fitted to activate the lighting and dim the system in natural daylight, with manual override switches.
UGR TPA rated LED 600 x 600 ceiling panels were positioned in general areas. Corridor lighting was provided with day and night settings that can be dimmed to 20%. The Mymesh system was installed for control and energy performance monitoring and reporting.
Can we help?
For a conversation about keeping your commercial energy costs down, contact Solarcrown Commercial via our online form or by calling 0333 323 2745.