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How can solar help retailers overcome the energy crisis ?
By Matthew Lumsden
Retailers are looking at a variety of energy saving measures as energy bills reach catastrophic levels . For some , looking again at their roof space and considering solar photovoltaic ( PV ) panels could help solve the energy crisis .
Yet , importantly , retailers could be selling themselves short if they don ’ t look at battery energy storage at the same time .
The UK ’ s total solar capacity now stands at 14.6GW according to trade body Solar Energy UK , and this number is set to increase with 0.73GW of solar PV being installed in the UK alone . Recent research has also shown that if industries such as warehousing and logistics installed PV on available roof space , then this sector alone could deliver the entire UK solar requirement for 2030 , forecast by the National Grid without using an inch of new land .
However , research from YouGov revealed that the UK has wasted enough renewable energy to power 500,000 homes since the energy crisis began in 2021 . This is because that power isn ’ t stored .
Already grocery retailers are committing to solar . Tesco has committed to adding thousands of panels to its UK store network , with 60 stores already fitted out , whilst
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