FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Reducing operational carbon and cutting energy costs have become top priorities for organisations aiming to secure reliable, sustainable energy for their business and the environment.
Garland UK Technical Manager Justyn Irons explains why retrofitting commercial buildings with solar PV systems offers an unmatched opportunity to boost financial savings and environmental impact in today’s energy landscape.
EPC Compliance
For commercial landlords and facilities managers, integrating solar PV technology into your properties offers a strategic advantage. Adopting solar energy can accelerate your journey toward net zero targets, ensure compliance with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and enhance your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Meeting these standards is crucial, with a minimum EPC C rating required by 2027 and EPC B by 2030.
Investing in solar PV as a retrofit solution aligns your properties with future regulatory requirements and delivers tangible benefits, such as reduced operational costs and increased property value. This will position your buildings at the forefront of sustainability and energy efficiency, attracting environmentally conscious tenants and securing long-term returns.
Rising Energy Costs
While the government has introduced an Energy Price Guarantee to cap energy prices for the domestic market, no such protections exist for businesses and non-domestic energy tariffs, exposing commercial energy users to future price hikes.
This presents a compelling case for commercial landlords and facilities managers to invest in solar PV installations. Recently, Garland UK worked closely with a multi-academy trust, delivering a solar and metal roof scheme that saw over £5,000 in energy savings in the 1st year of installation alone.
By generating your own renewable energy on-site, you can significantly reduce your dependence on the grid, insulating your properties from unpredictable energy costs and enhancing energy security. Additionally, this move supports your sustainability goals, reduces your carbon footprint, and demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Solar Yield Analysis
Upon design, a yield analysis can be produced. This analysis is calculated using industry-specialised software, enabling the client to see potential yearly carbon emissions reductions.
For example, the outputs of a typical Garland UK Solar Yield Analysis include a comprehensive report summarising the findings from the power production, cash-flow projection, initial budget, and environmental analysis. A proposed PV system design will be shared, and an initial budget outlining the potential roof refurbishment costs (if relevant) and a breakdown of expected savings and payback period.
See below a 4,000 m2 food production factory project, where our client utilised a Solar Yield Analysis to understand the annual energy cost savings that could be achieved. The simulation included a 165kWp PV array with an initial £165,000 investment value, achieving a 4 year ROI (based on an average UK annual inflation rate of 9%), generating £2.9M in energy savings by the 25th year.
| ROI | ||||
| Year | Annual Electricity costs without PV | Annual Electricity costs with PV | Savings | -£165,000.00 |
| 1 | £184,383.79 | £149,902.28 | £34,481.51 | -£130,518.49 |
| 2 | £200,978.33 | £163,393.49 | £37,584.85 | -£92,933.64 |
| 3 | £219,066.38 | £178,098.90 | £40,967.48 | -£51,966.16 |
| 4 | £238,782.36 | £194,127.80 | £44,654.56 | -£7,311.60 |
| 5 | £260,272.84 | £211,599.36 | £48,673.48 | £41,361.88 |
| Total Accrued 25th Year | £15,617,472.21 | £12,696,857.37 | £2,920,614.84 | £2,755,614.84 |
Future-proofing Considerations
Imagine scalable, adaptable energy systems that meet your estate’s growing energy demands, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging. In addition, with the global directive to eliminate the use of fossil fuels, we could expect to see increased demand for innovative electrical heat supply solutions in the not too distant future.
With the use of export limitation devices, it is possible to plan for potential expansions by designing modular solar PV systems that can be easily upgraded, which will help save costs in the long term. Engaging with stakeholders to understand their long-term energy needs and sustainability goals is vital, ensuring the solar PV installation aligns with future business growth and environmental targets. This holistic approach ensures that commercial buildings remain efficient, sustainable, and adaptable to future energy requirements.
Embrace the future of Solar PV
With energy prices climbing and sustainability standards tightening, solar PV retrofitting is more than just an upgrade; it’s a strategic decision. Start your journey toward compliance and cost savings today with Garland UK’s Solar Yield Analysis, designed to give you a comprehensive view of the financial and environmental impact tailored to your properties. Learn how we can help you achieve energy independence and set your property on a sustainable path here.
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