Top 9 Benefits of Rooftop Solar Panel Installation
for Commercial Buildings
Tesla’s unprecedented rise has boosted the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry and accelerated the boom of the solar panel industry.
More and more households and industries are harnessing the power of the sun to supply their energy needs. It’s also a given that governments worldwide are pushing for the development of such industry and other renewables.
That only means that businesses or homes which still rely on fossil fuels will have to contend with increasing prices and obsolete technologies. That, in turn, leads to an unstable power supply and more inconveniences for the family and the environment.
So, what’s the catch? Start installing solar panels! See Solar Panel Kits For Home.
That’s also one of the most practical steps for businesses to go green and help save the planet. Not only is it good for the future but also any business’ sustainability.
With more and more financial institutions prioritizing green industries, it won’t take long before renewables finally take over the business landscape.
Now, let us provide a breakdown of some compelling benefits of installing a rooftop solar panel system for your structures. Here we go.
1. Choose green with renewables
When you install solar panels, that means you care for the planet and the future generations to come. As we all know, fossil fuel-based sources of energy are polluting the air and water supply and have been blamed for triggering and worsening climate change. So, by installing solar panels, you are reducing your carbon footprints by significant amounts. Moreover, you won’t have to rely entirely upon the power supply that the local authorities or companies provide.
Here is another catch. By installing solar panels, individuals and business persons can avail of Energy Star Certification and LEED Certification for their buildings. Some states in the country, such as Chicago, likewise offer Energy Benchmarking, which entails compliance guidelines.
So that’s it! If you wish to increase your scores to achieve such certifications, consider installing solar panels. This is also one of the trends in commercial solar panel installation.
2. Make a name for eco-conscious organizations, clients, and other stakeholders
With more and more people imbuing a sense of environmentalism and eco-activism, sustainable industries' drive grows stronger through the years. Not only are non-government organizations and civil societies taking the lead to a greener future, but model industries are now evolving to address such demand.
In fact, some of the world’s global brands such as Nestle, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Facebook are employing news approaches that are eco-friendly while accelerating their business growth. Bill Gates, in addition, has been on the frontline of advocating for more greener options among various industries.
So, by choosing green practices such as solar panel installation, you can attract various clients and stakeholders, including employees and residents. Who would not want to take part in this noble intention of saving the planet from total ecological collapse, right?
3. Avoid complete power outages with the proper solar panel installation
Expect a 100 percent vulnerability to power outages when a building or structure entirely relies on energy provided by electric power grids. Let’s say there’s a storm that causes a total power outage. When that happens, the building will lose complete power, especially when there’s a problem with the scheduled power grid maintenance or with the power system.
But when a building has installed solar panels with a battery system for both power use and storage, expect continuous energy supply even during a power outage. That’s because the solar panels will continue to provide the needed power for your building’s electrical system. Of course, that’s only possible when your battery backups are correctly working, and the sun is continuously shining.
What if there’s no battery system linked to the solar panels? You’ll still lose power since these systems, via the energy grid, supply power to the utility company instead of channeling that energy for your utilization.
4. Lessen your Company’s Operating Expenses
One of the best advantages of installing solar panels is saving money from your typical energy bills. That applies whether you don’t have a battery backup system or when you have solar panels. How? A solar panel system can link to utility lines and your meter; thus, the solar panels generate energy delivered to the utility company.
That leads to lesser reception of energy from the municipal power. Your meter may even run backward during high solar power generating times and low power usage times. This scenario is known as net metering, which is the difference between the power produced from your solar panels and the power generated by the electric company.
One can also utilize the power produced by solar panels when a solar panel system is linked to a battery bank. That is possible when the panels' energy is stored in the batteries and directly supplied to the building once converted from DC to AC.
Take note, however, that the battery system incurs costs when the building is utilizing less power than what the solar panels are producing. Batteries will also deplete when the solar panel uses more power than the system.
5. More efficient hold of your Future Energy Bills
Who likes an ever-increasing electricity bill? Nobody with a sane mind does, especially with all other costs to handle. In most states across the country, most commercial buildings’ current rates are 4.05 cents per Kilowatt. This may seem a petty amount as it is less than the national average but can make up a significant increase in costs per annum when put together.
Do note that for businesses that use significant amounts of energy, it’s imperative to adopt alternative energy sources such as solar panels. As per general standards, the lifespan of solar panels ranges from 20 to 25 years. You’ll save lots of money within that time frame, especially with all the rapid changes taking place.
Who knows? The world will ultimately turn to renewable energy sources. Once that happens, you’re in a good position of saving on your energy costs.
6. Boost your Business’ Property Value
Do you have plans to sell your multi-unit, industrial, or commercial properties in the future? Here is the thing. You’ll earn much more when you install solar panels and attract more prospects. After all, customers are looking for energy-efficient properties.
Who would not want to own a property that is producing its energy, right? People would surely love when the building’s short and long-term operating expenses are less than comparable facilities without installed solar panels.
7. Leverage tax credits
In the United States, every person, especially those with intent to improve efficiency, should know Section 179 in the tax code. So, what’s about it? The section permits enterprises to reduce 100 percent of the expenses of particular building upgrades and business equipment. That includes solar panel installation. A particular solar panel tax credit also applies to the IRS.
In 2019, panel costs and installation accounted for at least 30 percent of the tax credit! But that was reduced to more than 26 percent in 2020, and for this year, the tax credit is 21 percent. Conservative estimates put the tax credit at 10 percent in the coming years. These are significant opportunities one can leverage when installing solar panels, either for household or commercial purposes.
8. Avail of SERCS and its benefits
Why does the Solar Energy Renewable Credits (SERCS) matter? But before that, SERCS are certificates indicating that you are selling your electric company for a particular amount of renewable energy. States that buy SERCS generally have an LTRRPP, which stands for Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan.
Such plans denote that a geographical setting will generate a certain amount of power from renewables, including solar panels in a particular year. Today, more and more states in the country are gearing for more renewable energy sources. In Illinois alone, the authorities target energy production by as much as 25 percent from renewable sources.
Here is the better news. Some states are also considering buying from both commercial and residential buildings excess solar panel power. What if you have that significant excess? That adds as a passive source of income, right?
9. Take advantage of reliable, and low maintenance energy
With a standard lifespan of 15 to 25 years, modern solar panel systems are very reliable and typically low maintenance. That means you won’t have to do maintenance work once the solar panels have been installed and start generating energy.
But what about the maintenance after snowy days or after a snowstorm? Well, you don’t have to worry about that since the snow and ice melt off the solar panels after a day or two. Because solar panel systems are created to withstand unfavorable weather conditions, you are assured of their resistance to strong winds.
Are there no other maintenance works you will have to do? The only recommended action is to spray the solar panels with a water hose to rid them of dust and dirt. That is usually done every three months.
That’s it! As we’ve earlier stressed out, renewables are rapidly getting the upper hand over fossil-based energy sources. As more and more businesses and institutions transition to renewables, it would be unwise not to participate in the trend. Solar panels, after all, are easy to install, and once done, you’ll have sustainable energy sources.