Commercial Solar

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The Motives

Commercial businesses consume massive amounts of electrical energy. It’s expensive, becoming more so, and is produced by highly polluting generators. 98% of all CO2 emissions is related to energy production, leaving commercial businesses with a key role in slowing the resulting depletion of our ozone and global warming.

Fortunately, the sun's energy can be more economically harnessed by commercial businesses than by either homeowners or municipalities. Why?


Commercial Solar Makes Sense

Businesses can take full advantage of all federal and state solar renewable energy incentives, just as homeowners can. But commercial solar installation has additional advantages – economies of scale and the ability to take the federal tax credit as a grant instead of a tax deduction.

Whereas a small solar energy installation’s labor cost can be a third of the overall price, in commercial installations this component should be far less. A price of $9 / installed watt is not uncommon for residential solar PV, but prices as low as $5 / installed watt are possible for commercial applications.

As with any solar purchase, commercial solar has initial costs which must be addressed and overcome, after which compensation comes in the form of electric cost savings and SREC sale profits. The break even point represents the start of your return on investment and can occur in well under five years for commercial solar projects.

SREC sales continue through year 15, rendering the span between your break-even point and the end of your ability to reap generous SREC sale values, your most highly profitable years. It's easy to see that unnecessary cost for a commercial solar installation lessons SREC profits.

Of course after year 15 commercial solar panels will keep producing power and reduce or eliminate your electric bill. Total return on investment continues for many more years to come.

Commercial solar installations not only save money, they actually make money. While the environmental benefits are sufficient motivation themselves, it’s motivating to know your investment will also reward you financially.

 

 

 

A commercial solar energy
system on an office building.