Turn your roof space into a profit-generating power station. We design, install, and maintain high-yield Commercial Solar PV systems that secure your energy future.
Energy volatility is the new normal. For businesses in Norwich and Norfolk, electricity bills have become a major, unpredictable overhead that eats into profit margins. Installing Commercial Solar PV is no longer just an environmental gesture; it is a strategic financial defence. By generating your own free electricity on-site, you fix your energy costs for the next 25+ years and insulate your business from grid price hikes.
At Yare Electrical, we are not just installers; we are energy consultants. We handle large-scale commercial arrays for factories, warehouses, and office blocks, managing the entire process from structural calculations and yield forecasting to complex DNO (grid) applications.
Typical Payback: 3 to 5 Years
The Financial Case: Why Invest Now?
The business case for solar has never been stronger. It is one of the few capital investments that pays you back directly.
1. Instant Reduction in Operating Costs
Commercial businesses are the ideal candidates for solar because your “load profile” (when you use energy) matches the “generation profile” (when the sun shines). Offices, factories, and retail units operate 9am–5pm, meaning you consume the free solar power immediately, rather than exporting it. This displaces expensive grid electricity, instantly lowering your bills.
2. Tax Incentives: Full Expensing & AIA
Under the UK Government’s capital allowance schemes, investing in solar is highly tax-efficient:
- Annual Investment Allowance (AIA): Most SMEs can claim 100% of the cost of the installation against their taxable profits in the first year (up to £1 million).
- Full Expensing: For larger limited companies, “Full Expensing” allows you to deduct 50% (for special rate assets) or 100% of the cost from your corporation tax bill immediately.
*Always check with your accountant, but for many, this effectively reduces the “real” cost of the system by up to 25%.
3. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
You won’t use every unit of energy you generate (e.g., on weekends). We set you up with a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff, which ensures energy suppliers pay you for every kWh you send back to the grid. It turns your roof into a revenue stream.
Grid Compliance: G98 vs. G99 Applications
Commercial solar is not as simple as residential. The local electricity grid has limits. As NICEIC Approved Contractors, we manage the complex application process with UK Power Networks.
- G98 (Small Scale): For systems under 16A per phase (approx 3.68kW or 11kW three-phase). This is a simple “connect and notify” procedure.
- G99 (Large Scale): Most commercial roofs require systems much larger than 11kW. This requires formal prior permission from the DNO (Distribution Network Operator). We handle the G99 paperwork, including schematic diagrams and voltage rise calculations, to prove your system won’t destabilise the local grid.
Battery Storage: Energy Independence
Why stop at generation? Adding Commercial Battery Storage (e.g., Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy commercial stacks) allows you to:
- Store Weekend Power: Capture the energy generated on Saturday and Sunday to use on Monday morning.
- Load Shifting: Charge the batteries from the grid at night (when rates are cheap) and discharge them during peak hours (when rates are expensive).
- Backup Power: Keep critical servers and lighting running during a power cut.
Our Installation Process
Phase 1: Survey & Design
We perform a structural roof survey to ensure your building can take the weight. We then use PVSol software to model shade (from chimneys or trees) and design the optimal string layout.
Phase 2: Electrical Integration
Connecting a 50kW+ system requires upgrading your main distribution board. We install heavy-duty AC isolators, generation meters, and Type B RCD protection to ensure electrical safety.
Phase 3: Commissioning & Monitoring
We set up your inverter monitoring platform (SolarEdge/SMA), giving you a dashboard on your phone or PC where you can see live generation data. This is excellent for your ESG reporting.
Maintenance: Protect Your Yield
A dirty panel is an inefficient panel. In Norfolk, agricultural dust and bird droppings can reduce output by up to 30%. We offer Solar Maintenance Packages:
- Panel Cleaning: Using purified water systems to remove grime without leaving residue.
- Bird Proofing: Installing mesh around the array to stop pigeons nesting underneath (which can cause fire risks by damaging cables).
- Thermal Imaging: Scanning panels to find “hot spots” or failed diodes.
Ready to generate your own power? Contact Yare Electrical on 01603 626400 for a free feasibility study.