The cost of raising a family in the UK is soaring, with prices increasing by 5.1% in 2018.
In an effort to shield households from the rising costs of living, the government has reduced the amount of money it gives to families through its universal credit system. This is set to cause financial hardship for millions of families who rely on receiving the benefits.
In an attempt to provide families with some relief, the UK government has launched a national solar appeal. The initiative is designed to provide solar energy to those in need, with the potential to provide power to thousands of homes.
Businesses that qualify can receive up to £25,000 in funding, with approved projects receiving £5,000 of that amount. The government initiative is designed to reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. For those eligible, the application process is simple and anyone can apply.
The Benefits Of Off-Grid Energy For Businesses
In the past, those who could afford it had a pool of staff who would travel the world using only their mobile phones. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, we now have email and online applications for just about everything. This has enabled us to bring businesses closer to customers, reducing the need for expensive travel and enhancing the connection between people and brands.
Off-grid energy offers a number of benefits for businesses. First and foremost, it is completely independent from the national grid. This means that it is not subject to any of the power cuts that cause so much stress for businesses and customers alike. With off-grid energy, there is no chance of being cut off due to overuse or lack of supply. This makes it ideal for small and large businesses alike.
Additionally, off-grid energy is usually cheaper than the energy you would purchase from the national grid. The cost of generating off-grid energy is generally based on how much power you need, with smaller businesses often reaping great savings. It is also flexible in terms of where you place the solar panels, so you can site them in the best possible location to maximize the amount of power generated.
What Is A Microgrid?
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re aware of the significance of solar power and the growing need for businesses to adopt sustainable energy strategies. That’s why I’m sharing these statistics about solar energy in the first place! But to be entirely transparent, let’s delve a bit deeper into this topic.
A microgrid is a combination of a traditional power station (like a coal or gas power station) along with a solar farm or several solar farms. The microgrid provides power to a group of homes or businesses that are equipped with rooftop solar panels.
A microgrid is different from a community solar scheme because it is designed to be self-sufficient. A microgrid can either be completely independent, or it can be connected to the national grid.
How To Become Part Of The Solar Revolution
If you’re keen to get involved in the growing community of businesses that chose to go green, how can you go about doing so? Simple; get inspired. Look at what other businesses have done and implement something similar. You may not need to create a one-of-a-kind microgrid to generate power but you will need to consider how you can use solar energy to make your business more sustainable.
The number of people looking to change the way they produce energy is increasing as more people are learning about the benefits of going green. In 2022, there will be 1.7 million new solar jobs globally, with nearly 60% of those jobs being in the UK. This makes it the hub of the solar industry, and you can be certain that those seeking employment in the field will have experience in getting the most from solar energy (find out more about the upcoming 2022 job market here).
If you’re looking to create a more sustainable, low-carbon energy future for your business, get inspired by those who came before you and made the switch to solar energy.
The Steps To Take To Secure Funding
If you’re keen to secure funding for your business, it’s important to follow the correct steps. If you miss out on even one step, it could mean the difference between success and failure. And in a competitive environment where resources are scarce, that’s all you need to keep you up at night!
To begin with, you will need to find the money to fund the project. Depending on how much power you need, this could be a costly endeavor. For example, a 500 kilowatt microgrid would cost around £1.8 million (about $2.5 million). To put that into perspective, a typical industrial building would cost around £500,000 (~$725,000).
To access this money, you will need to go through a rigorous application process that takes into account a number of factors. These include the size of your business, how long you have been in operation, and the amount of savings you have made reducing your carbon footprint. In addition to this, you will need to be able to provide evidence of your capacity to generate clean, reliable power using solar energy. Finally, you will need to make sure that you can afford the capital outlay for the project.
Once you have this funding, you can move on to the next step and secure the equipment needed to start generating power. As previously mentioned, you will need to have rooftop solar panels to connect to the solar grid. However, you can’t just go out and buy any old solar panels. These days, you need to take into consideration a number of different factors to get the best deal possible.
The Main Factors To Consider
When purchasing any piece of kit to enhance your business’ energy source or capacity, a number of different factors need to be taken into consideration. Let’s discuss a few of these factors.
Firstly, what is your budget? What are the costs associated with purchasing and installing this new kit? How much are you willing to spend?
Secondly, what is your time frame? When will you need the kit to start functioning? Are you looking to purchase a unit that requires a lot of maintenance or will you be able to operate it without professional help?
Thirdly, what is your capacity? What is the maximum amount of power you need to generate? How many hours of daylight do you have? What is the quality of the sunlight? Is it bright and does it have a good source?
All of these questions factor into how you will use the product you are purchasing. If you can get all of these right, you will be able to get the most out of your new investment.