How to Transition Your Business to Solar Power

Your business should be looking to transition towards solar power for plenty of reasons. With a low return on investment period and savings on energy bills, energy independence, and moving away from our environmentally ruinous dependence on fossil fuels, the appeal to any business should be obvious. But if you’ve decided to make that leap, what do you need to consider before you start, and how can you make solar power work best for your business?

What to Consider Before Switching to Solar Energy

Changing the supply of energy to your business is a big undertaking, so there are several key considerations that you need to take into account before you make such a switch. 

Evaluating Your Business Needs

The first thing that you need to understand is your own business needs. Without thoroughly understanding those, you won’t be able to understand what costs and benefits there are to making the change in the first place. What are your business energy needs? Is it seasonal, and does it need to be concentrated around certain times of the day? Understanding your business energy consumption is the first key step that you need to take.

It’s also important to remember that solar power requires physical space, so you’ll need to determine what you have the physical space for. What land availability do you have at your business premises? Is there a lot of roof space that you can use? Which direction do your premises face? There are consultants who can help with such questions, of course. 

You also need to consider the financial aspect of all of this. Is undertaking such a project financially feasible for your business at this time? There are substantial set-up costs, after all. Of course, this has to be offset against the return on investment. The savings you will make for having a solar array installed will mount up over time, and they should end up paying for themselves. As a baseline, 5-7 years is a reasonable place to start as the sort of RoI period you can expect. Solar arrays have an expected lifespan of 25 to 30 years. 

Understanding Onsite Energy Systems

Solar panels, or photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert sunlight into electricity using PV cells. These cells generate direct current (DC) electricity, which an inverter converts to alternating current (AC) for use in appliances and equipment. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops, car parks, or open spaces, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

This energy can be stored when the sun isn’t shining, or the sky is cloudy. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) store excess energy generated for later use. Energy Management Systems (EMS) optimise the charging and discharging of batteries, ensuring efficient performance and longevity. EMS platforms use cloud computing to analyse energy consumption patterns, identify faults, predict future needs and manage energy flow dynamically.

Overcoming Challenges When Switching to Solar Energy

There are still myths and misconceptions about solar energy. Contrary to the belief that solar panels require excessive maintenance, they actually need minimal upkeep, periodic cleaning, and annual inspections. Battery storage and grid integration mean that fears of an unreliable energy supply are unfounded. 

There are also solutions for those with limited space or a tight budget. For businesses with limited ground space, rooftop solar panels are an efficient solution. In contrast, participating in community solar projects allows enterprises to benefit from solar energy without installing their own panels.

Finance options are often available at highly competitive rates. Instead of purchasing panels outright, businesses can opt for solar leasing, which reduces upfront costs and spreads payments over time. Government incentives may also be available; check what grants and tax credits and other incentives, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), to offset installation costs.

As we can see, there are numerous benefits to switching to solar power. The business case is strong. Significant financial rewards can be claimed, and the return on investment period is relatively modest. But it’s also about more than that. We need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and solar power is a sustainable way of doing so. If we want to fight the effects of climate change effectively, it’s an essential tool in our armoury. And considering how visible solar panels are, they’re an obvious statement on behalf of your business, demonstrating your commitment to the environment. Maybe it’s time to take that next step and explore your solar options!