As part of the government’s drive to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that all new school buildings it delivers in England will be net zero in operation. According to the National Audit Office, education is the public sector’s largest emitter of carbon from buildings, amounting to […] The post Sustainability and education building design: solar PV and the road to Net Zero appeared first on SQ4S - Square 4 Solar ..read more

Solar power continues to be one of the fastest growing markets within the global energy generation industry, the requirement of which has readily become a mandatory condition of new commercial buildings for several reasons:  Energy generated by solar power supports businesses with meetings carbon neutral targets. Solar panels can help new commercial buildings achieve a […] The post Photovoltaic (Solar PV) Systems: Designing for Fire Safety and Long-term Performance  appeared first on SQ4S - Square 4 Solar ..read more

The inclusion of renewable energy solutions in building specifications and designs has been on the rise in recent years, largely driven by sustainable construction targets and the zero-carbon agenda. Solar PV is a highly energy efficient option for powering modern buildings, but the design and installation of these systems is not without challenge. There are common complexities in solar PV integration to commercial properties that can be alleviated by managing these specialist systems outside of traditional M&E packages. Challenges to design As a result of increased focuses on renewable en ..read more

Do you know bid management inside and out? Have you got Solar PV experience? Are you confident working with a range of stakeholders?  If you have a track record of managing major bid and contracting opportunities along with technical industry knowledge then commercial solar PV specialists Square 4 Solar, would love to hear from you. With more than 15 years’ design and installation experience, Square 4 Solar offer expert consultancy on all aspects of commercial Solar PV. The race to net zero has pushed renewable energy sources higher up the agenda meaning more opportunity to enable clients ..read more

The importance of a BRUKL report in designing an efficient solar PV system In this blog, we will explore the importance of a BRUKL report, not only for confirming compliance with Part L, but also for helping design more efficient solar PV systems. At Square 4 Solar, we can use BRUKL reports to help design optimal solar PV systems that align with energy performance and building requirements, making compliance with Part L simpler for our clients. But what has a BRUKL report got to do with solar PV? And how can they improve solar PV design? Before we explore these questions further, let’s provide ..read more

Learn solar PV fundamentals with our new CPD With recent changes to Approved Document L driving increased market demand for solar PV, understanding the fundamentals of solar technology is becoming more important than ever for building designers. In response to this growing demand for knowledge, commercial solar PV specialist, SQ4S has developed a new CPD module – Commercial Solar PV: From Specification to Energy Generation. The race to net zero has pushed renewable energy sources higher up the specification agenda. However, when it comes to building design, solutions are often considered too l ..read more

Quick Guide to: Solar Panel Grants for Business Energy costs represent a large percentage of business overheads. Lighting and space heating account for around 76% of total energy use in warehouses and similar businesses. Finding ways to reduce these costs makes commercial sense. Renewable energy sources, in particular Solar PV, are growing in popularity – as businesses UK-wide move to this sustainable and cost effective energy source. If you manage a business or own a commercial property, you may be wondering what support is available for you to switch your energy source. The good news is that ..read more

Square 4 Solar, one of the UK’s leading providers of Solar PV to the commercial sector, is celebrating the completion of its 60th installation for Lidl GB, following the commissioning of a new Liverpool Great Homer Street store in February 2023. As part of a national framework agreement, Square 4 Solar has systematically deployed 60 Solar PV systems to new Lidl stores over the past three years, with a further 10 due for completion by mid-2023. Since switching the first system on at Bristol Patchway in December 2019, Square 4 Solar has worked directly with Lidl, providing consultancy, full desi ..read more

So you’ve read all about the financial benefits of solar PV and now you’re considering solar panels for your warehouse roof. That’s great – you’re one step closer to making your business some serious savings. Here are some of the things you’ll need to know before you commit. What makes warehouses perfect for solar panels? The prime reason why warehouses are suitable for solar panels is the large roof space. A 2022 report by the UK Warehousing Association found that warehouses own nearly a third of all commercial roof space in the UK. By using or renting out this space, the warehousing sector c ..read more

Fully funded service evaluates suitability for retrofitting Solar PV and delivers system specification Warrington-based Square 4 Solar has launched energWISE, a new service that will help businesses take control of their energy costs while reducing carbon footprint. Fully funded for businesses across the North West, energWISE quickly determines whether commercial premises are suitable for the retrofit of Solar PV, and delivers a specification to address companies’ energy saving objectives. Launched in direct response to the Government’s new energy bills discount scheme, which will reduce finan ..read more