UK warehouses hold untapped solar power potential, according to construction analysts at Barbour ABI.
The cost of renting and running warehouses has risen due to several factors, including increased energy prices, wage rises and higher rents. Warehouse equipment manufacturers are also facing rising costs, and may try to keep prices down, but future equipment price rises may be unavoidable.
The United Kingdom Warehousing Association has stated that there is unused space on warehouse roofs that is equivalent to a land total of 18,500 acres. If solar panels were placed on these roofs, huge solar energy levels could be produced, reducing the energy costs of warehouses. Excess energy cam be used by the National Grid to decrease the UK’s reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity.
The government has set a 70GW target of solar power capacity by the year 2035. The UK government Solar Taskforce recognises commercial rooftop’s potential for solar power as part of the strategy to reach a net-zero carbon target by 2050.
Alex Blagden, a research manager at Barbour ABI, says:
“Rooftop solar PV on commercial and industrial buildings may be the quickest way for the UK to increase renewable energy capacity.”
Warehouse rooftop solar power schemes face less opposition from local residents than ground-mounted solar and wind farms. Associated British Ports and Amazon are the biggest users of rooftop solar panels, although small to medium businesses can also benefit from their use by reducing the large energy costs needed to run a busy warehouse.
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