Commercial Solar Power Solutions

 

Are you considering Commercial Solar Power Solutions? If so, there are several things you should know before you begin the installation process. There are a variety of factors to consider, including the cost of installation, the installation process itself, and possible tax credits. This article will cover all of these things, as well as more. We will also discuss the benefits of commercial solar power, as well as the costs involved. Hopefully, this article will be helpful to you as you begin your solar journey.

Installation

Before you begin installation of a commercial solar power solution, you’ll need to understand what you’re getting yourself into. First, you need to consider the size of your building and the location of your solar panels. The size and orientation of your rooftop solar system will have a big impact on how much energy you’ll generate, so you’ll need a solar company that can properly assess your facility and advise you on the best placement. After a preliminary walkthrough, you’ll need to determine which type of solar panels you’ll need, and then submit your proposal. This proposal will detail the types of solar panels and wiring that will be used, how much the system will cost, and what your projected energy savings are.

For commercial solar installations, a licensed professional engineer is an excellent resource. These engineers understand the intricacies of installing large solar systems. They can help you determine whether your property is suitable for solar, and can design and implement a customized system that will meet your business’s energy needs. And because commercial solar panels are complex, an engineer’s report will provide an unbiased design study. That way, you’ll get the most bang for your buck.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential to the ongoing performance of commercial solar power systems. Proper care and maintenance of your solar power system will prevent major issues down the road and ensure its optimal performance. In addition to monitoring system health, a maintenance plan will outline what needs to be done and when. The intervals for scheduled maintenance will vary depending on the type of system and the condition of the site. For instance, PV arrays in the desert will need to be cleaned more frequently than those on other types of systems. This is because dust is the main culprit behind PV system downtime.

Regardless of the type of system, periodic preventive maintenance should be a key part of any maintenance plan. These visits should be scheduled at least once a year. Of course, the frequency of preventative maintenance will vary depending on the site. An agricultural packaging facility, for example, may require multiple visits a year, while a college campus will only need periodic service. In addition, the maintenance provider should tailor their services to the individual needs of each site.

Tax credits

If you’re considering using solar power to power your business, you can take advantage of tax credits to help you offset the cost. The Federal Tax Credit for solar energy was created to encourage solar investments, but it was set to expire after 2022. The solar tax credit program was extended by Congress in the COVID relief bill, but this measure has changed the rules slightly. The commercial tax credit for solar energy projects has decreased from 30% to 26% for solar projects under 1,000 kW.

When pursuing a tax credit for solar energy, it is imperative that you make your decision sooner rather than later. The earlier you begin your solar project, the better, because the ITC is based on the date your solar system goes into service. You cannot claim the credit for the year you bought the solar system. You must start your solar project in the year you plan to use it. If you wait until 2020, you may miss out on tax credits altogether.

Installation costs

The initial installation costs for commercial solar power solutions vary widely. The size of your commercial solar power solution will determine how much the system will cost. A typical residential solar panel system will cost about $4/watt, while a 20-kW commercial solar panel system will run you anywhere from $40 to $80k, before incentives. This figure can vary wildly, so be sure to check with local contractors and solar experts for more detailed costs.

One method for reducing the upfront installation cost for commercial solar power solutions is to invest in a PPA or a solar lease. Both involve a third-party that owns the solar system over time. While you will still have to pay the installation costs, the investment will pay for itself in a short amount of time. This option can be a good choice for businesses that don’t want to pay the high upfront costs. However, you should consider SRECs when calculating the return on your investment.

Permitting

Before you can start installing a solar panel array on your property, you will need to apply for a permit. First, you must determine what type of soil your property has and how to classify it. You can also obtain advice from a solar installation company on how to go about the permit process. After that, you should download permit forms from your city’s planner’s website and begin the permitting process. Once you have completed the forms, city planners will review them after a certain amount of time. The timetable for a review will depend on how busy the officers are.

While permitting a solar installation can seem complex, it’s actually quite easy. In many jurisdictions, solar is now allowed, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) launched a collaboration in 2021 with key code officials and authorities with jurisdiction over solar projects. These companies developed standardized plan review software called SolarAPP+, which helps permit departments manage their workload by automatically checking system designs for code and safety. You can use these online tools to submit your plans and get a permit from the local permitting office, saving everyone time and money in the process.