Commercial Solar Purchase

A capital purchase of solar electric equipment represents a viable approach for companies with cash or access to financing.  It offers the chance of good ROI, albeit with substantial involvement.

Bank financing can be notoriously difficult to obtain.  Banks that "lend for solar" look to the underlying real estate assets for collateral and want to be first on the loan, viewing the solar revenue stream as inconcequential.  Also, most banks won't lend until a system is installed, requiring the owner to obtain a bridge loan from a private source at double digit rates.  A financial cash flow analysis is beneficial to gain perspective on how a financed purchase will pencil out.

Buying a solar photovoltaic system requires many considerations including financing, installation, maintenance, and monitoring.  Nonetheless, the revenue stream from sale of SRECs, savings on electric power, and tax incentives, render an attractive picture for the adventurous investor.

 

 

Commercial solar PV system
positioned at azimuth tilt is
optimally efficient, but yields
less net power than flat mounted
because panels must be separated
to avoid shading each other, and
therefore consuming space.  Are
micro-inverters the answer?