Sunny Side Up: How We Doubled Our Solar Power!
It's fair to say the UK hasn't been short of sunshine this year - and for once, we're not just talking about it, we're putting it to work. Some businesses talk about going green. We'd rather just get on the roof and do it.
We've always believed that doing things properly means thinking long-term - it's why we've been manufacturing and installing bespoke curtains, blinds and soft furnishings from our base in Lincolnshire for over 50 years. That same thinking has now stretched to how we power the place and keep the machines working and busy.
Where it started
A few years ago, we fitted the first 34 solar panels to our roof, running off a 10kW inverter. The impact was obvious almost straight away: our energy usage dropped, and we could see just how much power we were sending back to the grid. Never one to leave a money-saving opportunity on the table, Sam knew there was more roof space - and more savings to be had so a roof full of solar was always going to happen!
Finishing the job
We called local business SJG Electrical back in to complete what we'd started. Simon and his team really know their stuff, fitting a further 44 Sharp 580W Bi-Facial panels, bringing our total to 78 panels across the site.
The old 10kW inverter has been replaced with a Solis 25kW inverter to handle the extra capacity (keeping up at the back?!). Between the original panels and the new array, we're expecting the system to generate around 19,300 kWh of power a year from the new panels alone - and that's on top of whatever the first set is still contributing.
Throughout, the SJG team were professional and knowledgeable, working carefully and safely on site. The install caused no interruptions to our day-to-day, which as a working manufacturer with orders to get out the door, mattered a great deal.
Keeping an eye on things
Unlike the original setup, this system comes with full consumption monitoring, viewable through the Solis app or online. Sam can now see exactly what we're generating, what we're using, and what we're exporting at any given moment - perfect for managing power more efficiently (and for someone who does love a gadget!). SJG also monitor the system remotely, keeping watch for any faults and checking performance across the connected circuits. It's reassuring to know they're in the background, ready to flag anything that needs attention or to advise on getting even more from the setup we now have.
Built to last
The panels come with a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year output warranty - solid enough to see Sam well into retirement...maybe! Once the installation was complete, SJG issued an MCS certificate and confirmed compliance with National Grid under G99, so everything's signed, certified and as it should be.
Why it matters
It's a similar philosophy to how we approach our curtains and soft furnishings: built properly, built to last, and no shortcuts along the way. For our healthcare, hospitality and education clients who genuinely care about working with sustainably-minded suppliers, it's one more sign of how seriously we take doing business the right way.
Next time you visit us at Sutterton, look up - that's 78 panels hard at work!
If you're weighing up the benefits of solar for your own site, we'd happily recommend SJG Electrical - get in touch with them to see what's possible on your roof.
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