Long-term thinking

For facilities managers, the success of any energy investment comes down to more than just kilowatt hours and payback periods. Ongoing reliability, safety and efficient maintenance are crucial. In this article, Kitty Cunningham, Operations Director at Geo Green Power, explains how to achieve a solar PV solution with safety and long-term accessibility and uptime at the fore.

Solar PV is now a mainstream choice for organisations looking to reduce costs, build energy resilience and meet sustainability goals. But when systems are installed, its ongoing success also depends on how well the work is planned, delivered and maintained. The best installations don’t just perform efficiently, they run safely, integrate smoothly and are designed to make ongoing maintenance straightforward.

Working safely in live environments

Installing solar – and on an active site in particular – calls for more than technical skill. It requires careful coordination to protect people, maintain access and avoid disruption. Whether it’s a hospital, retail park, school or manufacturing facility, the installation team must work around ongoing operations without compromising safety.

Geo Green Power’s in-house teams are trained and accredited to operate in complex environments. The company holds CHAS Elite and IET accreditations, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, and is both MCS and NICEIC approved. These credentials give facilities managers confidence that every project meets the highest health, safety and environmental standards.

Every project begins with detailed risk assessments and method statements, covering everything from pedestrian and vehicle flow to emergency procedures and working at height. Where sites must remain open, installation phases are planned around operational needs, with clear communication and flexible scheduling to minimise disruption.

Future maintenance

Limiting disruption also applies when it comes to maintenance. A well-designed solar PV system doesn’t just deliver on handover day; it should continue to perform efficiently with minimal maintenance throughout its approximately 30+ year lifetime. To achieve that, accessibility must be considered from the outset.

Systems should be designed so that inspections, cleaning and repairs can be carried out safely and efficiently. Geo Green Power engineers plan layouts that support drone surveys and on-site maintenance without interrupting operations. Safe drone launch and landing points are identified away from busy areas and components, such as inverters and isolators, are positioned for easy access.

By considering maintenance during design, facilities teams benefit from faster inspections, more straightforward servicing and reduced downtime, all of which save time and cost over the long term.

Protecting performance

While solar PV systems are reliable and need minimal maintenance, dust, shading or minor faults can affect generation levels. A proactive service plan ensures issues are identified early, maintaining consistent output and return on investment.

Working with the same company for installation and ongoing maintenance brings clear advantages. The team already understands the system layout and any unique site requirements, so maintenance visits are quicker and more efficient. This continuity helps reduce disruption and costs while keeping the system performing at its best.

Geo Green Power offers full service and maintenance packages, including annual system testing, visual inspections, performance analysis and detailed reporting. Systems can also be monitored via real-time system data, helping to spot potential issues before they affect generation.

Continuity and confidence

From regular dialogue with facilities managers, we recognise that one of the most significant risks or barriers to investing in solar PV today is the disappearance of smaller or less established installers. Many businesses have been left without ongoing support when their original provider has ceased trading. Choosing a partner with long-term stability, accreditations and an in-house maintenance team protects that investment.

Geo Green Power has been designing, installing and maintaining commercial solar PV systems for more than 15 years. The company is large enough to manage complex, multi-site projects but remains focused on personal service and lasting partnerships. Installations come with at least 25-year panel and 20-year inverter warranties, backed by in-house technical support and maintenance throughout the system’s life.

A safer, smarter approach to solar

For facilities managers, solar PV should enhance operations, not complicate them. The right partner will design with safety in mind, plan installations around live environments and ensure ongoing maintenance is straightforward.

Geo Green Power’s approach combines technical expertise with an understanding of how real sites work. From health and safety planning to proactive servicing, every decision is made to keep people safe, sites open and systems performing long into the future.

For more information, visit geogreenpower.com or call 01509 880199.