In a drive to reach net zero by 2050 (and to combat rising energy prices) it has become almost commonplace these days to see solar panels decorating the roofs of houses. The same can be said for commercial solar installations – car parks, warehouses, ports terminals, schools, public buildings… the list goes on.
The construction of solar infrastructure is just one of the ways the UK is transforming its approach to energy – but it is a significant one. The UK currently has 16.9GW of solar capacity – which has grown significantly (8.5%) from the year before. To put this into context, nearly 200,000 new solar projects were completed in 2023.
And as the appetite for renewable energy increases, so too does the demand for professional construction teams that understand the infrastructure requirements for solar construction projects.
The benefits of commercial solar installations
From a commercial perspective, solar installations make commercial sense. It does, however, go beyond saving money. There is of course the major benefit of producing renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, but the presence of solar panels also demonstrate a clear message to customers, employees and other stakeholders that organisations are taking a tangible approach to sustainability.
Acknowledging the challenges of solar installations
Solar installation – for commercial or residential purposes – isn’t always straightforward. You have to consider a host of potential challenges to make any solar project a reality. Looking specifically at commercial solar installations, you need to take a look at available space (as well as actual roof space), regulatory considerations (environmental, grid connection standards, etc) and financial challenges in terms of upfront costs, obtaining financing and proving a sustainable ROI.
Professional solar construction support
However, when it comes to the actual construction of a solar project – employing a professional team with experience in commercial solar installations makes all the difference.
With a view to getting the project operational within the project timelines and meeting all the construction requirements, this is something we at Ashley Groundworks have extensive experience in.
We don’t just offer solar construction services – but extensive consultation on optimising the functionality and operation of your solar installation project.
Custom Solar – car park project
We recently completed a three-carpark-project with Custom Solar, a Mitie Company.
Following the construction of canopies and installation of the solar panels, the Ashley Groundworks team took care of the civil construction services to get the car park ready for use:
- Trenching
- Installation of chamber boxes
- Construction of substation bases
- Tarmacking and laying high & low voltage cables
Our renewable energy construction expertise
Our expertise also extends to other types of renewable energy projects, including:
- Wind
- Hydro
- Geothermal
- Bio energy
Reaping the benefits of a commercial solar installation needn’t be a challenge. Partner with an experienced construction team like Ashley Groundworks to help get your project operational in a streamlined way and fully realise those benefits quickly and effectively.
If you’d like to chat about your next solar construction project, click here to get in touch with us today.