Winter in the UK can be tough on commercial and industrial energy systems. Shorter days, lower temperatures, and increased heating demands all combine to push electricity usage higher. For businesses with solar PV and other electrical assets, this makes winter the perfect time to ensure systems are performing at their best.
Without proactive maintenance, even high-performing systems can underdeliver during the colder months, leading to wasted energy, higher bills, and missed sustainability targets. Here’s how to prepare your solar and electrical systems for peak performance this winter.
- Inspect Solar Panels and Check for Shading
Winter sun angles are lower, which can reduce solar generation. Even minor obstructions like tree branches, snow, or debris can further impact efficiency. Conduct a thorough inspection of your solar panels to identify dirt, shading, or damage.
Regular cleaning and maintenance not only maximise generation during low-light months but also protect the longevity of your system. For larger commercial portfolios, consider scheduling a professional inspection to ensure panels are optimised and safely maintained.
- Review Energy Monitoring Data
Smart energy monitoring platforms provide valuable insights into how your systems perform during peak winter months. Analysing historical consumption and generation data allows you to identify inefficiencies, unexpected energy drains, or underperforming equipment.
With real-time monitoring, businesses can catch faults early, schedule maintenance proactively, and ensure systems are producing as expected. This is particularly important for commercial sites, where even small inefficiencies can translate into significant costs over January and February.
- Maintain Electrical Infrastructure
Winter brings higher loads on electrical systems, particularly for heating, lighting, and critical equipment. Ensure switchgear, circuit breakers, and distribution boards are regularly inspected and functioning correctly.
Overloaded or poorly maintained electrical infrastructure can lead to energy wastage, unplanned downtime, or safety risks. Routine checks help maintain efficiency and reliability, reducing costly interruptions during the coldest months.
- Check Heating and HVAC Integration
Heating systems are often the largest energy consumers during winter. If your solar or electrical systems feed into building management or heating control systems, make sure these are properly calibrated.
Optimising heating schedules, adjusting setpoints, and ensuring controls communicate effectively with energy monitoring systems can reduce wasted energy while maintaining comfort. Smart integration helps avoid overconsumption, particularly during unoccupied periods.
- Plan Preventive Maintenance
Winter is a critical period for identifying potential issues before they escalate. Schedule preventive maintenance for solar arrays, inverters, batteries, and electrical systems to catch wear and tear early.
By addressing minor issues proactively, you reduce the risk of unexpected downtime, extend equipment lifespan, and maintain peak system efficiency. For businesses with multiple sites, centralised O&M services can streamline this process and ensure consistent performance across all locations.
January and February are months when energy costs can spike and system performance is often under pressure. Ensuring your solar and electrical assets are properly maintained and optimised is key to reducing energy wastage, lowering bills, and meeting sustainability goals.
At TEST Consulting, we help businesses monitor, maintain, and optimise their solar and electrical systems throughout the year. Using our S.M.A.R.T platform and expert O&M services, we ensure your assets perform reliably, even during the winter months, maximising efficiency and savings when it matters most.
Don’t let winter energy wastage impact your bottom line, prepare your systems now and start the year with peak performance.
Find out how our expert team can help:
Tel: 0113 467 7650
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