Solar panels to save water company thousands each year

Published on Friday, Jan 13 2012 by David Sanderson

Portsmouth Water could save up to £4,000 per year in electricity costs after it installed solar panels at six of its water treatment plants.

Each of the plants has benefited from an investment, thought to be worth around £700,000, in 50kW of solar panels installed on reservoir roofs and nearby land. The electricity generated will be used to pump and treat water on the sites.

Solar panels can help both businesses and homes become more self-sufficient by generating some or all of their own electricity via energy from the sun. They can save money on their electricity bills as well as do their bit for the environment. Many businesses choose to install solar panels at their commercial premises to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

The solar panel installers involved in the project estimate that the solar panels could generate over 42,000 units of electricity annually, reducing Portsmouth Water’s energy bills and generating income of a potential £8,000 per year through the feed-in tariff scheme. In addition, they will be able to sell any excess energy that they don’t use back to the National Grid.

As is the case with Portsmouth Water, solar panels, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), are usually affixed to the roof of a home or commercial property, as long as it is strong enough, and they capture energy from the sun’s rays. However, direct sunlight is not always needed and solar panels can still generate some energy even in cloudy days. Shade from trees and other obstructions is best avoided, though, and the stronger the source of sunshine, the more energy will be created.

PV cells are made out of a semi-conducting material such as silicon. When the sun shines on these cells, an electric field is created. A PV cell’s power is measured in kWp (kilowatts peak) and this represents the rate of energy generation at optimum performance. PV cells can come in the form of panels, tiles or slates.

Nick Roadnight, Portsmouth Water's managing director, has been quoted saying part of the reason for the move is to help protect the firm against rising energy prices. He told Business Green, "It is important that, as a user of energy, we look at all the potential options to reduce the amount of energy we have to take from the National Grid, and at the same time look to reduce our carbon footprint without placing any risk on our ability to supply water to our customers.”

He added, "The installation of solar panels on our sites achieves all of these objectives and, with around a 25-year life span, it helps the company have a more sustainable approach to energy use."

As Mr Roadnight said, solar panel systems can last up to 25 years with minimal maintenance required – the panels just need to be kept clean and trees kept in check so that they do not block out the sun.

To find out more about how solar panels function and how they could work as an investment for your home or business, go to the EnergySaving Trust website.