Wow what a year 2022 has been for the Solar & Energy Storage industry!! We have seen massive growth in the industry not only in the UK, but Worldwide with installers, distributors and manufacturers pushed to the limits.
With this in mind we will be taking advantage of the Christmas break and closing from 4pm on Friday 16th December and re-opening on Wednesday 4th January at 9am to recharge our batteries.
We thank all our customers, staff and family for working with us this year and wish them a Merry Christmas & hoping for a Sunny New Year.
#solutionriseseveryday
Solar Enquiries and how we deal with them
We have seen a large increase in enquires for solar PV and energy storage over the last 2-3 months above and beyond what we have seen over the last 12 years. Whilst we appreciate every enquiry, our response times may not be as quick as we would normally like and so we ask for your patience and understanding. Please see outlined below what you can expect from us during these busy times.
Our offices are open Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm. If you make an enquiry via telephone we will answer your call during these times and if you call outside of these hours you are welcome to leave a voicemail. During working hours and at times of high call volume we are assisted by a telephoning answering service who will take your details for us to return your call. We will try to return calls within 24 working hours.
If you make an enquiry via our website or send an email to our generic email accounts, we will aim to reply within 48 working hours. Please note that emails sent to individuals may take longer for us to respond due to their large volume.
We appreciate receiving all enquiries and will endeavour to give everyone as much time as is required in order for us to provide you with either a bespoke proposal or, at the very least, advice that is relevant to your installation. We try to reply with a quote within 3-4 weeks.
Please be patient and courteous with us as we are doing our utmost to continue to provide a high level of service.
Timelines you can expect:
Survey bookings have at least a 4-week lead time and cost £150.
DNO connection applications can take up to 45 working days to be processed by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Please note that the costs above are non-refundable but will be deducted from the total price of your installation.
Installations have approximately a 10-12 week lead time following receipt of connection approval from the DNO. Please note we cannot schedule in any installations until DNO approval has been received.
Rest assured, whilst we may sometimes take a little longer to get back to you with your proposal, you will be rewarded with excellent service from our installation teams using market leading products.
We look forward to hearing from you.
SunPower launches 40yr Warranty for its Maxeon Solar Panels
SunPower Maxeon is making history this week by launching the solar industry’s longest and most comprehensive combined #40yearwarranty, leading the way in product quality, power performance and sustainability.
This new 40yr Warranty covers Product, Performance & Service guaranteeing this is really #solarforlife.
“The new SunPower Maxeon 40 Year Warranty is based on external field studies from more than 33 million Maxeon panels deployed worldwide, comprehensive accelerated life testing by Maxeon and third parties, and a physics-based model which Maxeon uses to determine the expected performance impact over time from major degradation and failure modes,” the manufacturer stated. “Collectively, these give Maxeon and our customers confidence that the SunPower Maxeon module technology can support a 40-year warranted life, and that continued operation beyond this period is certainly feasible.”
Maxeon modules come with a minimum warranted output of 98% during their first year of operation, followed by a maximum annual degradation of 0.25% for the next 39 years. “The result is an unprecedented 88.3% warranted power level at the end of 40 years, meaning Maxeon panels deliver up to 9.5% more power after 40 years than standard solar panels deliver after 25 years.”
We stock the Maxeon 3 400w & 430w modules as well as the “all black” 375w modules and all now include this 40yr warranty.
Solar & Energy Storage reduce impact of increased energy prices
With energy prices continuing to rise both homes and businesses can reduce the impact by installing Solar or Energy Storage.
Solar panels generate free, green electricity and when partnered with a battery most of the solar generated electricity can be used or stored to use later, and when the Solar doesn’t generate enough electricity the battery can charge from the grid at times of the day when prices are lower to then be used later when prices are higher.
Not got a suitable roof??? Install just a battery and make use of off-peak low cost tariffs.
Whilst home owners are protected to a certain degree by the price cap, businesses will see their prices increase, so the same principle applies; a combinaiton of Solar & Energy Storage or each of the technologies individually will help reduce the impact.
To design a bespoke system for you we will need to know how much electricity in kWh you use per annum and ideally when you use it and a brief description of what you are trying to achieve.
£50,000 Solar grants for Coventry & Warwickshire businesses
Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme has now been extended to June 2023 with additional funding for small to medium-sized businesses available for energy efficiency measures with grants of upto £50,000 available.
The Green Business Programme supports businesses with fewer than 250 employees based in Coventry and Warwickshire who want to save money on energy, waste and water bills and maximise low carbon opportunities.
Energy and resource efficiency grants of £1,000-£50,000 (with 40% intervention) are available for:
Renewable technologies including Solar PV
Lighting – LED, controls, sensors
Heating – replacement boilers/burners, upgrades – electric to gas, zone control, heat recovery, oil to gas, thermal stores,
Compressors
Ventilation – fans, distribution
Refrigeration
Recycling and waste – compactors, balers and crushers
Funding applications will be assessed with a value for money calculation based on the carbon saving and value of the grant.
Help grow the Heart of England forest when you order a Solar PV system
Stratford Energy Solutions is 10 years old & to celebrate we have joined forces with the Heart of England Forest to help plant tomorrow’s great native woodland.
Help The Heart of England Forest with their Vision:
•To create a 30,000 acre unbroken woodland for the benefit of people, wildlife and the environment
• To reach their goal they will plant 13 million native broadleaf trees.
• Tree planting on this scale makes a significant environmental impact.
• Creating a ‘joined-up’ Forest provides vital green corridors for wildlife. Optimising biodiversity is an important part of our work.
• They are passionate about connecting people to nature and all the benefits that brings to health, happiness and wellbeing.
• More than a new woodland for the region, The Heart of England Forest is already an incredible national asset for the country.
By ordering a Solar PV system (minimum 4kWp) by 31st December 2020 to be installed by 31st January 2021 you will help support the planting of more than 20 trees in the Forest, and ensure the trees are protected and maintained.
You will also have a tree dedicated to you, receive a certificate of your support along with 1 year of Friends of the Forest status.
For more information contact us by clicking here & quote HOEF2020.
COVID-19 update – Solar & EV Charger installations re-commence with revised working methods
As a responsible business we have always been focussed on the Health & Safety of our staff and customers. We have closely followed the COVID-19 Government guidelines suspending all installation work on the 24th March.
Over the last 2 weeks we have communicated with our clients on their thoughts on our return to installing and following last night’s announcement by the Prime Minister we began a phased return to work today.
Our working methods have been updated to ensure the safety of both staff and customers with careful consideration for each individual project discussing any requirements with home & business owners.
We continue to run all administration functions of the business as normal with skeleton staff working in the office and others at home.
All unnecessary visits including initial site surveys will continue to be virtual with the use of Google Earth and video conferencing such as Zoom or MS Teams. Now maybe an ideal time whilst at home to discuss opportunities for Solar, Energy Storage or EV Charging.
In the meantime, we thank our customers & staff for your support and understanding during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with anyone directly affected by the virus and our amazing NHS workers.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us either by calling 01789 262411 or emailing info@stratfordenergy.co.uk.
How Solar Can Play a Role in the Recovery After COVID-19 & Ensure a Greener Future
COVID-19 has & will continue to have a massive impact on individuals, businesses & the economy. The current focus remains on alleviating the significant health concerns accompanying this pandemic and businesses grapple to adapt to the new culture of social distancing, economic hardship and reduced workforce. However, at the same time efforts to boost the economy can start with an emphasis towards sustainability. As communities wait on the country to transition into recovery, Stratford Energy Solutions can help with this drive to a greener future.
Solar Energy Fights Climate Change – While the world experiences the current health COVID-19 crisis, Climate Change is another global crisis that needs to be faced. As a clean technology solution, Solar can help reduce the amount of pollution released into the atmosphere. Each solar system installed can take us a step closer to preventingClimate Change.
Solar Power is Cost-Effective – Solar has become increasingly affordable throughout the years for both home and business owners looking to save with an alternative energy source.As continued advancements in Solar technology increase efficiency, homeowners can generate more power at a lower cost. For businesses & community buildings we can offer systems with no capital expenditure or lease agreements to avoid large investment but still allowing long terms energy cost reductions.
Solar creates jobs – as Stratford Energy Solutions continue to expand, along with other Solar installers we will increase our teams & employ more people.
If you wish to discuss Solar for your home, business or community building please contact us by clicking here
We can offer advice, carry out desktop surveys & arrange virtual meetings to discuss our proposals.
Record Solar outputs help UK to reach longest coal-free period since pre-industrial times
Maximised levels of solar generation have ensured the delivery of a new coal-free record period for the grid. Coal power plants have been offline since 00:00 on Friday 10 April 2020, and since then the UK has seen more than 1 terawatt hour of solar power put on the grid in that period – enough to boil water for over 25 billion cups of tea or drive 6.7 billion kilometres in a Nissan Leaf.
Last week’s bumper generation levels delivered over 11% of UK electricity demand and set both a new dailypeakgeneration record of 9.68GW at 12:30 on Monday 20 April 2020, and weekly generation record at 485.41GWh.
We can all contribute to this cleaner living by reducing energy usage & generating your own. If you are interested in joining the Solar Revolution contact us today by clicking here to arrange a virtual meeting.
Stratford Energy #stayathome
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement last night & to keep our customers & employees safe we have suspended all installations
Our sales team are remote working so please continue to contact us by clicking here or email info@stratfordenergy.co.uk
