We all know that solar energy is good for the environment, but to what extent? how efficient it is? how many panels are needed to really make a difference? Not just to the environment but also to your business.
Boxfish have been working within energy management for over 25 years, we’re experts! So let us help make the complex world of solar energy, simple.
Solar panels are hugely sustainable. They are a renewable energy source that releases minimal emissions into the environment which can be offset with just 1-3 years of use and are now some of the most cost-effective electricity generation technologies. Furthermore, solar panels are not only cost-effective but also reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources from the grid, further reducing your carbon footprint.
On the surface, solar panels are 100% sustainable. They are classed as a renewable energy source that doesn’t negatively impact the environment. If we only take into account their usage, solar panels are 100% sustainable, however, if manufacturing, materials, land use and transport is accounted for, some carbon is emitted during the process.
This works out at around 14-73g of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per kilo-watt hour (kWh). To the untrained eye this may seem like a lot but in reality this is far less than the average emissions of burning oil – 742g of CO2e per kWh.
In the UK, most domestic solar panel systems are around 20% efficient with some systems possibly reaching up to 25% efficiency. This means that UK solar panels are 20% efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.
It might not sound like a lot- but let’s compare this to car, which also only converts around 20-25% of gasoline into motion with the rest converted into heat; not forgetting you are still continuously paying for petrol in comparison to ‘Fuel’ from the sun which is free and infinite.
Proving solar panels can easily reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, minimise your carbon emissions and reduce your overall energy spend.
Solar power is renewable and releases zero emissions. In fact, in just one year of use the average homeowner can reduce their carbon footprint by 80% by using solar power. What’s more, use of solar panels cuts down the amount of traditional energy sourced from the grid. They also tend to last a long time (around 20-25 years) with minimal maintenance required, cutting down on waste.
How many solar panels you need to be net zero depends on a couple of factors:
how much energy you currently use (kWh);
daily sunlight hours for your location, presence of shading/obstructions, etc.
the type of panels used and the available area
whether you are looking to offset internal demand or generate income by exporting to the grid
From this data, you can work out what the output will be with a high degree of accuracy and from there you can calculate the carbon savings and whether the installation would assist you on your journey to achieving net-zero.
When it comes to direct emissions, as shown above, using solar panels to generate electricity is much more environmentally friendly than fossil based alternatives and has zero direct operational emissions. The exact values will vary but typically, solar panels can eliminate around 150-200 grams of CO2e for every kilowatt hour produced (dependant on grid carbon intenstity).
At Boxfish, our energy management experts are here to help you take your first steps in reducing your business’ carbon footprint, whether you’re interested in solar power, other renewables, or are working towards net zero. Give our expert team a shout and we’ll take it from there!