Trina Solar has said that rooftop solar PV will lead the way in the large-scale solar market, as it poses invaluable opportunities for businesses to achieve maximum energy efficiency, support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and reduce dependency on traditional forms of power generation.

Speaking at the Large Scale Solar event in Bristol in April, Trina Solar UK Sales Manager Richard Rushin shared his global insights into the large-scale solar industry and commented on the value of commercial rooftop PV installations for businesses: "Rooftop installations are a rising star in the large-scale solar industry as businesses, manufacturers and developers finally wake up to the significant benefits they offer.

"Installing solar panels on otherwise redundant roof space is a relatively simple and viable way to achieve significant cost savings and greater energy efficiency, while supporting CSR aims. Moreover, with doubt hanging over the conventional energy market, with traditional energy prices liable to large fluctuations, often from month to month, solar PV is a great way to add stability and manage the books."

"This year alone we have already seen the successful completion of a number of large-scale rooftop installations throughout the UK, including a project with Hitachi Rail, which have had a real impact on energy generating capabilities. With a healthy pipeline of other large-scale rooftop projects on the way, it would appear that this section of the market is finally coming into its own," he continued.

During the event, Trina Solar's UK Sales Manager Richard Rushin presented the solar specialist's rooftop PV project for the Japanese rail manufacturer Hitachi Rail, which was recently completed by Photon Energy. Photon Energy installed 3,772 Honey M 265w modules to Hitachi Rail's Newton Aycliffe site to support the company's CSR initiatives and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The large-scale 1MW commercial PV rooftop array, which was installed in January 2015, will generate 851.3MWh of clean energy output each year.

"The rooftop PV project was particularly beneficial for Hitachi Rail because it was financed externally and a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was put in place, providing the certainty of stable energy costs for the next twenty years. PPA agreements such as these propose a significant opportunity for organisations with large roof areas to benefit from long-term low cost 'green' energy, without having to invest in the infrastructure. The site in Newton Aycliffe is also 100 per cent on-site consumption in industrial production, greatly reducing grid dependency," Rushin added.

Jonathan Bates, Managing Director of Photon Energy, commented: "Rooftop installations represent a significant opportunity for businesses, allowing them to increase their energy efficiency and green credentials without the need for additional land space. However, many difficulties and challenges can arise during the installations, which include uneven surfaces, height, health and safety issues and space restrictions.

"These challenges increase the need for greater interaction between customers, installers, like us, and manufacturers, to ensure that the risks are managed correctly and that the solution ultimately designed and implemented will produce the maximum energy yield. Working with Trina Solar and Hitachi Rail was a good example of how large scale solar PV rooftop projects can produce excellent results with strong collaboration between all parties."