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[email protected]In today’s business landscape, sustainability is more than a buzzword… it’s a necessity. Companies UK-wide are increasingly recognising the importance of integrating sustainable practices into their operations to meet corporate responsibility goals, as well as appeal to environmentally-conscious customers.
At Greenscape Energy, we’re committed to providing practical renewable energy solutions that make a tangible impact for businesses, helping cut energy costs, and contribute to a greener future. The good news is that our solutions deliver even more commercial benefits, from enhancing brand image to increasing property value.
In this article, we’re exploring how solar panels can help businesses achieve their sustainability goals, as well as looking at the added benefits that can be achieved by investing in UK corporate solar solutions.
Environmental benefit is the driving force behind the sustainability goals of most companies. But businesses that embrace sustainability practices have more to gain, including long-term profitability, greater competitive edge, and improved resilience.
Sustainability also plays a role in boosting brand reputation and customer loyalty. Consumers and business customers are increasingly demanding transparency and ethical practices from the brands they support, and the service providers they use.
What’s more, sustainability can also boost employee morale and attract top talent that values working for companies with a strong committment to social and environmental responsibility.
Solar panels harness sunlight, converting it into usable power. This power is ‘clean energy’, free from greenhouse gas emissions, and not derived from carbon-producing fossil fuels like coal and gas.
When used alongside solar battery storage, solar panels deliver added benefits. Storing unused clean power harvested from the panels creates a reserve supply of clean energy to use once the sun goes down.
Some battery systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall, also provide backup power in the event of a grid outage, ensuring business doesn’t come to a standstill.
Certain solar batteries can also be used alongside a generator, responding immediately and providing backup power before the generator detects the outage for completely uninterrupted workflow.
The built environment contributes to almost 40% of all carbon emissions globally, and in the UK, buildings are the second largest source of climate emissions after surface transport. With this in mind, it’s crucial for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
As we’ve explored, solar panels offer a practical solution by harnessing renewable energy from the sun, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and helping businesses achieve their sustainability targets at the same time.
Investing in solar panels isn’t just an environmentally conscious decision… it’s a smart financial move.
Solar energy can lead to savings on energy bills, providing a reliable source of clean power, and reducing dependency on fluctuating energy markets.
Again, combining solar panels with battery storage leads to enhanced rewards:
Over time, the initial investment in solar panels pays off through lower operational costs, allowing businesses to allocate funds to other critical areas. It’s also worth mentioning that solar panels carry tax relief, which can be claimed via the annual Company Tax Return.
Installing solar panels can increase the resale value of a commercial property. Studies have shown that solar-powered buildings command higher premiums, often achieving up to 10-30% more than comparable properties without solar installations. This enhanced value is down to the property’s lower operating costs and reduced carbon footprint.
For the investor or landlord, sustainably certified buildings – such as those assessed under BREEAM or LEED – are known to command higher investment and sale values, and a greater return on rental investment.
In addition, the CBRE Continental Europe research report, which explores the relationship between sustainable building features and value, suggests that office buildings with sustainability certifications earn a 6% higher rental premium over non-certified buildings.
By installing solar panels, companies can demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility, appealing to the growing numbers of eco-conscious customers and partners.
What’s more, a strong sustainability profile can differentiate a business in a competitive market, leading to increased loyalty and trust.
Whilst non-financial information has always been a necessity in annual reports, in 2022, the Companies Act was expanded to include sustainability information.
Companies that are either listed, have a £36 million+ turnover or £18 million balance sheet or employ over 250 people, must report on their environmental impact, and how they’re managing climate change-related risks, as well as a variety of social and governance factors.
It is not yet clear whether the new Labour government will bring in additional compliance measures, but given the 2050 net zero targets and the urgency associated with reducing carbon emissions, it’s fairly likely that some form of regulation will be introduced in the near future.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a system used to rate how energy-efficient a building is, and what improvements can be made.
Solar panels improve EPC ratings by making buildings more energy-efficient, ensuring compliance with potential future regulations, and increasing the property’s market value.
A high EPC rating also contributes to the well-being of occupants by creating a healthier building environment.
There’s speculation that commercial properties will soon need to follow the same stringent EPC rating requirements as private properties and, whilst we’ll need to wait and see what the new government proposes, again it’s likely from what’s been discussed so far that minimum ratings will be introduced.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important for businesses. Not only does it enhance reputation, build customer loyalty and attract top talent, it also drives sustainable growth by aligning business practices with society-related and environmental values, all of which support long-term success.
By integrating solar panels into their energy systems, companies can boost their CSR profile. Solar panels contribute to environmental sustainability, demonstrating that a company is taking active steps to reduce its environmental impact.
This commitment to sustainability can improve relationships with stakeholders, attract investment, and enhance overall corporate reputation.
Solar panels offer UK businesses an array of benefits, from reducing carbon footprint and cutting energy costs, to enhancing brand reputation and property value.
By investing in solar energy, businesses can meet their sustainability goals, improve their corporate social responsibility profile, and ensure compliance with inevitable future regulations.
At Greenscape Energy, we are committed to helping you make the transition to renewable energy smooth and effective. Our tailored solutions ensure we deliver long term benefits not just for the environment, but for our customers too.
If you’re interested in learning more about our UK corporate solar solutions, or would like to book a tailored consultation, we welcome you to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team.