Modern Networks installs solar panels at its Hitchin, Hertfordshire offices as part of the company’s on-going efforts to reduce waste, minimise its carbon footprint and become a greener, more energy efficient business.
Environmental responsibility
At Modern Networks we take our environmental and social responsibilities very seriously. This means looking at everything we do from reducing energy consumption in our offices and the amount of paper we use to our carbon footprint for business travel.
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continue to improve our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods. The company have already attained the internationally recognised ISO-14001 accreditation for environmental management. Modern Networks also encourages its customers, suppliers and business associates to do the same.
One of our stated environmental policy aims is to minimise energy and water usage in our offices, company vehicles, and business processes to conserve supplies, and minimise our consumption of natural resources wherever possible.
Solar panel installation
Modern Networks is pleased to announce we have now completed the installation of solar panels on all our office buildings (E1/2 and C3/4) in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. We have 132 solar panels across our buildings with an instal capacity of 70 kilowatts. An excellent source of renewable energy, we estimate that our solar panels will supply around 85% of our offices’ power requirements per year. What’s more, during daylight hours the system will often produce around 150% of our energy needs, enabling us to sell the excess back to the National Grid.
Commercial solar panels work in the same way as most domestic systems. The only real difference is in the scale of the installation. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy, which is then used to power our business. The brains of the system are two solar inverters which convert around 800 volts of direct current (DC) into 240 volts alternating current (AC). AC current is the UK standard to power office and home appliances and connect to the National Grid.1
As well as converting DC to AC current, the inverters help maximise power output, communicate with the National Grid, provide data on power production, and ensure the solar system is operating safely. An additional benefit of our renewable energy system is that we can switch off two gas boilers in our buildings, which we plan to decommission.
Expected benefits
A solar panel’s carbon footprint is roughly 20 times less than that of electricity produced by a coal-fired power station. It takes around three years for a solar system to reach carbon neutral status. As solar panels seldom need replacing (product lifecycle of 20-years or more), they can help us reduce carbon emissions for decades.2
Working with our landlord, who provided the capital investment, we calculate the solar system will pay for itself within 5-years or less. The system is also likely to increase the property value of the buildings.
A final piece of positive environmental news is that we only have two petrol cars left in the company fleet, the majority now being electric vehicles. And we have recently added four electric vehicle (EV) charge points at our Hitchin offices.
Energy management is one of three pillars of our overarching environmental policy, the others being resource management and waste management. The company’s environmental commitments are monitored, reviewed, and where possible improved on a regular basis. We ensure that every member of staff understands our environmental policy and conforms to the highest standards. We are confident that our new solar panel system will make a significant contribution to meeting our environmental objectives, making Modern Networks a greener and more energy efficient business.
Contact us now to learn more about Modern Networks IT managed services.
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