If your business is taking sustainability seriously, as well as looking for a way to reduce energy costs, you might be considering solar panels. But this is a long term investment, so it’s important to understand whether the potential benefits will be suitable for your organisation. So are commercial solar panels worth it? And what should you consider?
Where can commercial solar panels add value?
Installing commercial solar panels brings a range of benefits. One of the ones is that you can generate your own electricity, where it is needed. This can be used to power your daily operations, potentially reducing the amount of electricity that you need to purchase from the grid. This can be particularly valuable for businesses with significant daytime energy requirements, such as:
- Offices
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing facilities
- Retail premises
- Farms and agricultural buildings
The more electricity you can use directly from your solar panels, the more opportunity there is for your business to reduce energy costs.
Could solar panels reduce business overheads?
Energy is an ongoing business expense, but solar panels can provide electricity for many years after the initial installation. This can help your business to:
- Reduce electricity purchased from the grid
- Lower ongoing operating costs
- Improve control over energy expenditure
- Potentially reduce exposure to future energy price increases
However, it’s important to note that the actual savings will depend on the size and performance of the system, as well as how much electricity your business consumes.
What makes a commercial building suitable for solar power?
The building itself plays an important role in determining whether installing commercial solar panels is worthwhile. A professional assessment will typically consider:
- Available roof space
- Roof orientation and pitch
- The condition of the roof
- Potential shading
- Current electricity consumption
- The size of the proposed solar system
If you have a large, relatively unobstructed roof, this can provide plenty of space for solar panels. However, smaller commercial properties can also benefit from appropriately designed systems.
How does business energy usage affect the investment?
One of the biggest differences between domestic and commercial solar is the way electricity is often used. Many businesses operate mostly during daylight hours, which means that you can use the solar electricity, as it is generated, to power:
- Computers and office equipment
- Lighting
- Machinery
- Refrigeration
- Heating and cooling systems
Can businesses benefit from battery storage?
Battery storage is a good factor to consider for your business, especially if you operate outside of daylight hours. This allows you to use the solar electricity generated during the day, to power your systems at night, helping your business to:
- Use more of your own renewable energy
- Reduce reliance on grid electricity
- Make better use of surplus generation
- Potentially improve energy flexibility
What happens to surplus electricity?
If your commercial solar panels generate more electricity than your business needs, this surplus electricity may be exported to the grid, although this depends on the installation and energy arrangements. By exporting back to the grid, you can make money on the electricity you sell. However, you should weigh this value against the potential benefits of battery storage for your business, as by selling excess electricity, you will have much less to store.
Is commercial solar a long-term investment?
Because solar panels are designed to operate fully for many years, you should consider them a long-term investment, rather than a short-term solution. In general, solar panels can last for decades, generating renewable energy for your business well beyond the initial payback period.
So, are commercial solar panels worth it?
For many businesses, commercial solar panels can be a worthwhile long-term investment, particularly where there is suitable roof space and a significant daytime electricity demand. Generating renewable electricity on-site can help reduce energy costs, improve energy independence and support wider sustainability objectives.
However, the potential value of a commercial solar installation will vary from business to business. The most effective way to establish whether it is worthwhile is to assess your building, energy consumption and long-term requirements before choosing a system.
For more information or advice, why not contact the experts today, here at the Eco Renewables Group? We work across the UK, from Oxford to Derby, to deliver high quality solar power solutions.
