Solar panels for work, what are our options?
Discussion
We have a 50kwh installation on a ground array & are in the process of installing a further 100kwh as the returns are very good.
How big is your roof? 50kwh is a fairly standard commercial installation as the tariff drops after that. It comprises approx 200 panels.
You will need to check with your District Network Operator whether there is sufficient capacity & whether you will need to upgrade your transformer.
As we have never considered a roof mounted system I can't comment on planning, but you may wish to take advice on that.
From an income perspective the FIT you will receive is VAT free, any electricity sold back to the grid is VAT at standard rate. Taking the FIT into account our electricity bill last year was -£12k, happy days!
How big is your roof? 50kwh is a fairly standard commercial installation as the tariff drops after that. It comprises approx 200 panels.
You will need to check with your District Network Operator whether there is sufficient capacity & whether you will need to upgrade your transformer.
As we have never considered a roof mounted system I can't comment on planning, but you may wish to take advice on that.
From an income perspective the FIT you will receive is VAT free, any electricity sold back to the grid is VAT at standard rate. Taking the FIT into account our electricity bill last year was -£12k, happy days!
I know the boss of one of the decent outfits in this game, ethical & use decent quality kit - do a lot of big installations for well known names as well as bread & buttr domestic stuff. PM me if you want an introduction, sure he'd be happy to just chat through the pros & cons with you.
Fundamentally, there's many ways to skin this cat! Generally the options are:
Purchase - Always the best option if there is enough cash in the business or you can borrow money cheaply). Keep all of the earnings from it, and treat it as an investment.
HP/Leasing - Can't remember which way they go, but this will allow you to have the investment on or off balance sheet depending upon what you want (so you have to pick what's right for you). People often go for a term of ten years, with a view to then enter another agreement for the second ten.
Roof Rental - Generally you'll get the benefit of the free electricity, but not retaining the FiT (this goes to the funder).
One thing to bear in mind is the ownership of the roof on to which you're looking to install. If there are charges/mortgages on the property, that may have a bearing (often the case/stumbling block in large social housing deals).
Feel free to drop me a line, I have a reliable client in the market and not too far over the water in Essex.
Purchase - Always the best option if there is enough cash in the business or you can borrow money cheaply). Keep all of the earnings from it, and treat it as an investment.
HP/Leasing - Can't remember which way they go, but this will allow you to have the investment on or off balance sheet depending upon what you want (so you have to pick what's right for you). People often go for a term of ten years, with a view to then enter another agreement for the second ten.
Roof Rental - Generally you'll get the benefit of the free electricity, but not retaining the FiT (this goes to the funder).
One thing to bear in mind is the ownership of the roof on to which you're looking to install. If there are charges/mortgages on the property, that may have a bearing (often the case/stumbling block in large social housing deals).
Feel free to drop me a line, I have a reliable client in the market and not too far over the water in Essex.
I'm not in at the sharp end at the moment, so don't know the figures inside out, but from a conversation at the moment, the December cut is not set in stone (although that was said prior to the big slash). There was room to manoeuvre with current rates, and I suspect there will still be going forward - it's more a question as to whether the industry packs up from what I can see.
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