Half-hourly electricity data shows how much power a business uses during each 30-minute period. For commercial solar design, that is far more useful than an annual total because solar generation and business demand both change throughout the day.
Why annual consumption is not enough
Two businesses can use the same total electricity each year but have completely different solar opportunities. A weekday office, a seven-day cold store and a night-shift warehouse will consume power at different times. The proportion of solar used onsite—and therefore its value—can differ substantially.
What half-hourly data helps us assess
- daytime base load;
- weekday and weekend differences;
- seasonal demand;
- short peaks and sustained loads;
- likely solar self-consumption;
- potential export;
- whether a battery deserves investigation; and
- the effect of future EV charging, heating or equipment.
Ofgem explains that qualifying business meters record electricity use in half-hour periods for settlement. Your supplier, broker, meter-data provider or energy-management portal may be able to provide the file.
What format should you send?
A CSV or spreadsheet covering at least 12 continuous months is ideal. It should contain the site identifier where appropriate, date, settlement period or timestamp and consumption in kWh. Do not send account passwords. A supplier export or authorised data file is sufficient.
How the data informs system size
Expected solar generation is modelled against the site’s demand intervals. This helps compare different array sizes and estimate how much generation is consumed onsite or exported. It also identifies times when demand exceeds solar output.
Historical data is not a perfect forecast. Planned production changes, tenant changes, EV fleets, electric heating, efficiency work and operating-hour changes must be added to the discussion.
What if half-hourly data is unavailable?
We can begin with bills, operating hours, equipment information and other meter records, but the uncertainty will be higher. A proposal should state where assumptions replace measured data.
How to request an initial assessment
Send the site postcode, recent bill, 12 months of consumption data, normal operating hours and planned electrical changes. Renew-Able Solutions can review the load profile alongside roof, electrical and grid information.
Frequently asked questions
Is half-hourly data the same as a bill?
No. A bill usually summarises a longer period. Half-hourly data reveals when the consumption occurred.
Does higher annual use always justify a larger array?
No. Available space, daytime profile, export capacity and project objectives also matter.
Can you help interpret the file?
Yes. Send the available site information and we will explain the appropriate data-review stage.
