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No Full Planning permission is required for systems under 1 MW
In England and Wales, solar power systems with a capacity of less than 1 megawatt are considered permitted developments and do not require full planning permission. In Scotland, the limit is 50 kW.

Prior approval required for systems over 50 kW
For systems in England and Wales that exceed 50 kW, prior approval is required. This process is less stringent than formal planning permission and Avonside Energy Ltd can submit this application for you.

Specific criteria must be met
To be considered a permitted development, the installation must meet certain criteria, including:

• The installation must have minimal effect on the building’s external appearance and the amenity of the area.
• The panels must be at least 1 meter from the external edges of the building.
• The panels cannot be the highest part of the roof, excluding any chimney.
• The panels must protrude less than 0.2 meters beyond the plane of the roof slope.
• The system must be removed as soon as reasonably possible when it is no longer needed.

Avonside Energy Ltd provides a full assessment of your property and assists with all necessary paperwork, including planning applications where needed. Our experienced team ensures a smooth and compliant process, allowing you to focus on your business while we take care of the technicalities.

1. Site Assessment: Avonside Energy Ltd conducts a comprehensive site survey to optimise your system’s design.Design & Engineering: Our in-house engineers design a tailored system to maximise energy generation.
2. Grid Connection Application: We manage the entire grid application process, leveraging our extensive experience in securing approvals swiftly.
3. Planning (if needed): We handle all prior approval planning applications, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
4. Procurement & Installation: Our strong supplier relationships mean we use only top-tier, high-efficiency equipment. Our installation team works with precision and minimal disruption to your business operations.
5. Commissioning & Testing: We ensure that your system is fully operational and performing as designed, and we provide full training on system usage.
6. Ongoing Monitoring: Avonside Energy Ltd offers cutting-edge monitoring systems, allowing you to track energy production and spot any performance issues.

Our expertly designed solar systems are optimised for your specific energy needs, ensuring maximum output. A typical 50kW system installed by Avonside Energy Ltd can generate between 45,000-50,000 kWh per year, but larger systems can significantly exceed this. With our monitoring tools, you can accurately track your savings and environmental impact.

By partnering with Avonside Energy Ltd, we help you secure the best Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs available on the market. We also provide guidance on how to maximise your system’s export potential, ensuring that any excess energy you generate translates into the highest possible return.

Avonside Energy Ltd offers a complete maintenance package, including routine cleaning, system checks, and fault monitoring. Our maintenance plans ensure that your system operates at peak efficiency with minimal hassle. Additionally, our responsive team is available for any emergency repairs, ensuring your energy production remains uninterrupted.

With our competitive pricing and efficient installations, the payback period for systems installed by Avonside Energy Ltd typically ranges from 3 to 8 years. Our expert advice on optimising your system’s performance and securing favourable energy tariffs can further shorten this time, helping your business see faster returns on investment.

Avonside Energy Ltd stays up-to-date on the latest financial incentives, including the Super Deduction Tax Relief and the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA). We cannot provide financial advice and advise you speak to your financial consultant to ensure you take full advantage of these benefits, helping you reduce upfront costs and increase the financial returns from your investment in solar energy.

At Avonside Energy Ltd, we provide industry-leading warranties, including 20-30 years on solar panels and 5-10 years on inverters. We also offer a comprehensive aftercare and support package, which includes performance monitoring, preventative maintenance, and responsive repair services to ensure your system operates reliably for decades to come.

Solar panels may slightly increase your insurance premiums as they add value to your property and need to be protected against damage. It’s important to notify your insurance provider. Property taxes in the UK are generally not affected by solar panel installations, though it’s always a good idea to confirm this with your local council.

To determine if your business is a good fit, consider the following:

• Roof condition: The roof must be structurally sound and have sufficient space.
• Energy usage: Businesses with high energy consumption benefit most.
• Roof orientation: South-facing roofs are optimal, but east/west orientations can still yield good results.
• Shading: Avoid shaded areas, as they reduce efficiency.
• Avonside Energy Ltd offers a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your business’s suitability for solar to ensure you make an informed decision with clear expectations about the benefits solar can bring to your business.

At Avonside Energy Ltd, we offer a variety of financing options, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), leasing, and capital investment. We work with trusted financial partners to provide flexible solutions that suit your business’s cash flow needs, allowing you to install solar with little or no upfront cost.

The timeline for installing a commercial solar system depends on the size of the project and whether planning permission or grid approvals are required. On average, a commercial installation can take between 2 to 6 months from initial consultation to final commissioning. Avonside Energy Ltd ensures that each stage is managed efficiently to meet your project timeline with minimal disruption to your operations.

Solar energy significantly reduces your carbon footprint by decreasing your reliance on fossil fuels. A 100kW system, for example, can save approximately 40 tonnes of CO2 per year. Avonside Energy Ltd provides detailed reports on how much carbon emissions your business can save, which can be valuable for meeting sustainability goals and enhancing your corporate social responsibility profile.

Most commercial buildings are suitable for solar installations, but factors such as roof condition, available space, and shading must be considered. Avonside Energy Ltd conducts a thorough site survey to determine whether your building is ideal for solar and suggests any necessary upgrades, such as roof reinforcement, to ensure a successful installation.

Solar panels are generally low-profile and designed to integrate seamlessly with your building’s existing architecture. Avonside Energy Ltd works closely with you to minimise visual impact, and in cases where aesthetics are critical (e.g., listed buildings or public-facing properties), we provide solutions that are both functional and visually appealing.

Yes, Avonside Energy Ltd offers advanced monitoring systems that allow you to track the performance of your solar system in real-time via a web portal or mobile app. This gives you access to energy production data, usage statistics, and notifications for any system issues, ensuring that your system is performing optimally at all times.

Solar panels are designed to operate efficiently even in less sunny climates like the UK. While direct sunlight produces the most electricity, solar panels can still generate energy on cloudy days. Avonside Energy Ltd designs systems that account for the UK’s weather conditions to ensure maximum performance year-round.

In the unlikely event of a system fault, Avonside Energy Ltd offers swift support through our maintenance packages, which include remote monitoring and diagnostic services. Most issues can be resolved quickly, and we provide prompt on-site support when necessary. Our warranties also cover many potential faults, ensuring you’re fully protected.

Yes, solar systems are scalable, and Avonside Energy Ltd designs them with future expansion in mind. If your energy needs grow or you wish to increase your solar capacity, we can easily add additional panels to your system, ensuring it continues to meet your energy demands.

Solar panels typically increase the resale value of commercial properties by reducing operating costs and enhancing energy efficiency. Avonside Energy Ltd can provide documentation on the system’s performance and cost savings, which can be a valuable asset if you decide to sell your property in the future.