RENEWABLE ENERGY
Power Optimizers placed directly onto panels to monitor performance in real time. This not only increases energy production and provides more flexibility in system design and layout, but it also improves safety through embedded safety features that are capable of identifying and mitigating faults at a panel level.
SAFETY FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR There are two safety features in particular to look out for when investing in solar technology. The first is a SafeDC feature. This is a module-level safeguard which minimises the risk of electrocution during installation or standard system maintenance, or in the event of a fire. With traditional inverters, shutting down the inverter or the grid connection will terminate current flow, but DC voltage in the string cables will remain live for as long as the sun is shining, meaning the system still poses an electrocution risk. SafeDC overcomes this problem by automatically reducing the output voltage of each module to a touch-safe level. The second feature is arc fault detection and prevention. Although rare, arc faults can be triggered by issues like false trips or loose connections and may result in heat buildup that, if undetected, could cause an arc fault to develop. DC-optimised systems monitor terminal blocks for abnormal heat buildup, quickly identifying the source and isolating it to prevent escalation. Confidence in this technology extends to
firefighters installing solar on the roofs of their own fire stations. In the UK, a fire and rescue service selected SolarEdge for 700kW of PV
There is a notable shift away from traditional string inverters in favour of DC-optimised systems with embedded safety features
systems on 12 different fire stations and three headquarter buildings due to these and other embedded safety features.
KNOW YOUR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS As investment in solar increases, safety regulations are being addressed by insurance companies, fire authorities, and utility companies. When planning to invest in solar, it is advisable to include your insurance company early on in the planning stage. Many leading international insurers have developed robust checklists that set out best practice and recommendations on installation methods, rooftop environments, system components, emergency response mechanisms, and other factors. Failure to meet these criteria can result in higher insurance premiums. The customer then has no choice but to
retroactively fix the problem, adding considerable expense and a significant delay to the project. In the UK, as well as globally, an increasing
number of businesses are announcing their commitment to decarbonising their operations and achieving net zero. With governments making promises of their own, this signifies a shift to a low-carbon economy and an opportunity to encourage investment and innovation in renewable energy. As the solar industry evolves, so too do the financial opportunities and environmental benefits for commercial businesses. By putting solar safety first, UK businesses can move forward with their decarbonisation strategies with confidence.
SolarEdge Technologies
www.solaredge.com/uk
TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION - ADVERTORIAL
Fuel Poverty Pressures Deepen After One of the Coldest Winters in Years
Following one of the coldest winters in recent years, fuel poverty and heating anxiety remain pressing concerns for millions of UK households. Mark Sait, CEO of SaveMoneyCutCarbon, the UK’s leading integrated decarbonisation delivery platform supporting 2,000+ energy, water and carbon reduction projects nationwide, is available for interview on how large-scale retrofit investment can translate capital into measurable improvements in warmth, condensation control and sustained bill reduction. Government data shows 13 percent of households in England were classified as fuel poor in 2023. At the same time, the energy price cap continues to sit well above pre- 2021 levels, limiting household financial resilience. The Office for National Statistics has also reported significant excess winter mortality in colder seasons, with cold and damp housing conditions identified as contributing factors. The UK Health Security Agency has further linked low indoor temperatures to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk. As retrofit funding accelerates across housing, the central issue becomes execution. The National Audit Office has previously highlighted that the effectiveness of energy efficiency schemes depends heavily on installation quality, sequencing, and oversight. Heating upgrades, insulation standards and ventilation design determine whether projected savings materialise in real-world conditions. Without verification and consistent standards, projected savings risk failing to translate into genuine bill reduction.
SaveMoneyCutCarbon delivers end-to-end decarbonisation programmes across housing and estates, combining technical audit, engineered retrofit design, structured financing and verified performance measurement. Its model is designed to ensure
www.essmag.co.uk
projected savings are measured against real-world outcomes, protecting both household confidence and capital deployment. Mark Sait, CEO of SaveMoneyCutCarbon, can discuss:
• Why the recent winter has intensified heating anxiety and exposed structural weaknesses in UK housing stock
• How fuel poverty intersects with condensation, damp and health risk in older homes • What must happen for retrofit investment to deliver measurable bill reduction rather than projected savings
• Why verified performance measurement is essential to protect consumers and sustain confidence
• What safeguards are needed to ensure retrofit finance improves comfort without compromising quality
https://www.savemoneycutcarbon.com/ ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Spring 2026 29
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