Introduction
Solar panels are an increasingly popular option for businesses that want to save on their energy costs and make progress towards their sustainability goals by tackling their scope 2 emissions.
But despite their growing popularity, there are still plenty of myths about solar panels. From misconceptions about how they perform in cloudy weather to concerns about cost, maintenance and return on investment, outdated or inaccurate information can prevent businesses from exploring the benefits of solar energy.
In this guide, we’re busting some of the most common solar panel myths, so you can make informed decisions about whether commercial solar is the right investment for your business.
How Do Commercial Solar Panels Work?
Commercial solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into energy through photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits the panels, these cells produce direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter so it can power your business.
The electricity generated is used to meet the energy demands of your building, helping to reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid. If your system generates more electricity than your business is using, some energy arrangements allow you to sell excess energy back to the grid.
Because solar panels generate renewable electricity on-site, they can significantly reduce your business’s Scope 2 emissions whilst lowering your energy bills.
Solar Panel Myth 1: There’s Not Enough Sun in the UK for Solar Panels
The UK is not known for its abundance of sunshine, so it’s understandable that many people believe solar panels won’t generate enough electricity to be worthwhile. In reality, this is one of the most common myths about solar panels.
Solar panels do not need constant sunshine to produce electricity, they just need daylight. Although they do produce more energy on bright, sunny days, they will still continue to generate electricity even when it’s cloudy or overcast. Modern solar technology is designed to perform in a range of weather conditions, making it well suited to the UK’s climate.
On average, you can expect to generate 65% – 75% of your annual solar generation in the months of April to September, with the remaining 25% – 35% generated from October to March.
Although battery storage cannot overcome this seasonal variation, it can help maximise the value of the electricity generated each day by storing excess solar energy produced during daylight hours for use later in the day, during periods of lower generation, or at times of higher electricity demand. This increases on-site consumption of solar energy, reduces reliance on grid electricity, and can further improve the financial benefits of a solar PV system.
However, the key to maximising performance is ensuring your solar PV system is designed and installed correctly. Factors such as roof orientation, shading and obstructions, and system size all play a much bigger role in overall performance than the UK’s weather.
Solar Panel Myth 2: Solar Panels Can’t Power Your Business During an Outage
For businesses that rely on solar power for the majority of their energy, it’s understandable to wonder what happens if there’s a power cut.
Technically, standard grid-connected solar PV systems automatically shut down during a power outage due to a safety feature is called anti-islanding which prevents electricity from being exported back into the grid whilst engineers are carrying out repairs, preventing the risk of electrocution.
But the good news is, the energy generated from your panels can still power your operations, even during a power outage. This is thanks to advances in technology which mean there are now measures businesses can take to prevent disruption to their operations. By combining commercial solar panels with battery storage, you can continue to power essential operations during a power cut, as well as benefit from added storage capabilities.
During the day, any excess electricity generated by your solar panels can be stored instead of being exported to the grid. That stored energy can then be used to protect against outages, later in the evening, during periods of high demand, or when electricity prices are at their highest, helping you to make the most of your self-generated electricity and reduce your reliance on a volatile grid.
Solar Panel Myth 3: Solar Panels Are Too Expensive and Not Worth the Money
One of the biggest myths about solar panels is that they’re too expensive to justify the investment. Whilst installing a commercial solar PV system does require an upfront cost, advances in technology have made solar more accessible than ever for businesses.
The truth is that solar panels can actually be a powerful way to lower energy costs. By generating renewable electricity on-site, businesses can reduce their reliance on grid energy, lowering their electricity bills and protecting themselves against rising energy prices, as well as volatile market fluctuations. Over time, these savings can offer a strong return on investment, with average payback periods ranging from four to six years, whilst also significantly reducing Scope 2 emissions and helping businesses to take steps towards sustainability and net zero targets.
For businesses that cannot afford the upfront cost of installing a solar array, many installers offer funding solutions meaning you can install solar and start making savings from day one.
At Ennovus, we offer a range of flexible funding options for renewable energy to help make commercial solar more accessible.
Whether you’re looking to purchase your solar PV system outright, spread the cost, or explore alternative funding solutions, our team can help you find the option that best suits your business. We’ll work with you to understand your energy usage, goals and budget before recommending the most appropriate solution for you.
Solar Panel Myth 4: Solar Panel Maintenance is Expensive
A common solar panel myth is that they require constant, costly maintenance to keep them performing efficiently. In reality, solar PV systems are designed to be highly durable and require very little upkeep compared to many other building assets.
Keeping your solar panels clean is one of the simplest ways to maintain their performance. For most commercial installations, a professional clean every 12–18 months is enough. However, if your panels are exposed to a lot of dust, leaves, bird droppings or other debris, more frequent cleaning may be needed. Removing this build-up helps ensure sunlight can reach the photovoltaic cells, allowing your system to generate as much electricity as possible.
As well as cleaning, periodic inspections are an important part of preventative maintenance for your solar panels. A visual inspection every one to two years can help identify issues such as loose wiring, signs of wear and tear, or water leakage before they develop into more significant problems.
It is considered good practice to arrange a full professional service every one to two years during which a qualified engineer can carry out a detailed inspection of the system. This includes checking key components such as the inverter, mounting system, and solar panels for any faults, wear, or damage that could affect performance or safety.
This frequency aligns with guidance from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and for some manufacturers, these inspections are required in order to keep your system under warranty.
The cost of periodic electrical servicing is very low in comparison with the overall capital expenditure, with total operation and maintenance typically costing just 1-3% of the original investment per year. This is a relatively small expense that helps ensure the system continues to operate efficiently, reliably, and most importantly, safely throughout its lifespan.
With a simple maintenance and cleaning schedule and occasional professional servicing, a well-installed solar PV system can continue generating electricity for 25 years or more.
Solar Panel Myth 5: My Business Uses Too Much Electricity for Solar to Make a Difference
Many businesses assume that because they have high energy consumption, solar panels won’t make a meaningful impact. However, this is a common misconception. Although solar may not always generate 100% of your site’s electricity demand, it can significantly reduce your reliance on grid electricity, helping to lower energy costs and reduce your Scope 2 emissions.
In fact, businesses with higher electricity usage can often benefit the most from commercial solar, as they have greater opportunities to use the electricity generated on-site. The more of your solar energy you can use directly, the less electricity you need to purchase from the grid.
Higher levels of on-site consumption also improve the financial performance of a solar installation by reducing the payback period. For businesses with high electricity demand, the vast majority of the solar generation is typically used immediately on-site, leading to the strongest return on investment. In many cases, this can result in payback periods of just four years.
The amount of energy you can produce will depend on panel wattage, roof orientation, location, shading, and system size, but a typical commercial solar panel in the UK can generate around 360-450 kWh per year. This means you have the potential to offset a significant proportion of your business’s electricity consumption depending on energy usage patterns and available roof space.
If you would like to find out how much energy you could generate with commercial solar panels, try our free solar panel calculator.
Thinking About Switching to Solar?
If you’re thinking about making the switch to renewable energy, Ennovus Solutions can support you on your journey.
We offer end-to-end support for renewable energy solutions, from planning and feasibility through to installation and ongoing maintenance support. You can choose from ground, roof-mounted and carport options for solar panel installations, as well as complementary battery storage options to help your energy go further. Our experts can also conduct detailed feasibility studies to help determine the best type of solar array for your specific site and energy needs.
Ennovus can also work with you to develop a tailored decarbonisation strategy that will assess the viability of various technologies designed to help you reduce your carbon emissions and overall environmental impact. By understanding your current energy usage, operational requirements and sustainability goals, we can identify the most effective solutions to support your journey towards a more efficient, lower-carbon future.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with solar and sustainability solutions, get in touch with our team today.
