Several factors should be considered before Ohio businesses make the switch to solar!
Key Takeaways
- Commercial solar energy is a long-term investment in a company’s infrastructure, and far from just an equipment purchase.
- Each Ohio business’s roof condition, property architecture, energy usage, and electrical infrastructure impact the overall fit of solar systems.
- Businesses of all sizes should thoroughly evaluate their potential savings utilizing their actual facility data, and not just generic estimates.
- Financing options, incentives, and batter storage can potentially impact a solar investment’s overall value.
- Garber’s commercial electrical contractors will ensure that your new solar system is properly integrated with your existing infrastructure.
Why More Ohio Businesses Are Considering Commercial Solar Energy Systems
Electricity is an unavoidable operating expense for essentially all Ohio business owners. It’s also no secret how properties like warehouses, manufacturing facilities, retail properties, offices, agricultural operations, and various other commercial properties can quickly consume a ton of electricity throughout the course of each year.
Commercial solar energy systems offer one of the best ways for companies to take better control over their long-term energy costs by generating on-site electricity and reducing grid reliance.
However, solar installations aren’t as straightforward as simply putting panels on a rooftop. There are many factors that need to be carefully considered, including your property’s physical characteristics, energy demands and electrical requirements.
Below we’ll be helping you better understand these important investment factors!
Start By Evaluating Your Company’s Energy Usage
Figuring out the right solar system begins with understanding how your business utilizes electricity on a daily basis.
For example, a manufacturing facility will have energy-intensive equipment and subsequently very different electrical needs in comparison to a small office building. Your team’s operating schedule is a big factor as well, because companies that consume the majority of their electricity during the daytime will have different solar strategies than those primarily operating at night.
This is why it’s a good idea to thoroughly review your historical utility bills to get valuable information regarding your energy costs and consumption patterns, because this will help you estimate how much solar generation will offset your current usage.
The Garber team can carefully evaluate your facility while developing your commercial solar project, which will go a long way to help you make investments based on your real circumstances—and not just generic estimates.
Evaluating Your Commercial Property Prior To Solar Installations
It’s also important to understand that not every commercial property has the same solar potential.
Factors like structural considerations, shading, orientation, roof size, and available installation space will substantially influence the design of your solar system. Large and unobstructed rooftops might provide a lot of space for solar panels, whereas other properties might need a ground-mounted system.
Ohio business owners should also consider their roof’s existing condition at the beginning of their project. If you think your roof is nearing the end of its functional lifespan, it could be a good idea to consider a replacement prior to installing a rooftop solar system.
Looking Beyond Initial Installation Costs
Another crucial question that Ohio business owners need to keep in mind while considering solar is whether the investment will pay off.
The answer to your potential ROI will depend on certain factors like installation costs, your system’s size, utility rates, electricity consumption, available incentives, financing, and how long you expect to operate at your current property.
Instead of just focusing on upfront costs, businesses need to look well into the future at projected long-term returns. We can provide you with a comprehensive analysis that estimates your energy production, payback period, potential savings, and other financial considerations.
How Solar Systems Connect To Your Existing Electrical System
Solar panels are actually just one of many components the combine together to create your commercial energy system.
Your solar installation also needs to be safely integrated with your building’s existing electrical infrastructure, and depending on your property, this can involve all sorts of load management, electrical services, utility connections, monitoring, and other requirements.
This is why it’s so important to choose an experienced local electrical contractor like Garber Electric that has worked with other Ohio businesses like yours in the past. Solar systems should be a part of your property’s electrical system at large, as opposed to being an isolated system installation.
What’s great about partnering with us is that our technicians have the solar design and installation expertise to address all sides of your project!
Keeping Ohio’s Weather & Seasonal Changes In Mind
Although solar panels definitely don’t require consistent sunshine to produce an adequate amount of daily electricity, it’s smart for business leaders to keep Ohio’s weather patterns and seasonal shifts in mind while evaluating their potential new system.
Changing daylight hours, snow, cloudy days, and seasonal energy consumption differences can potentially influence how much your system produces throughout the course of the year.
This is another reason why our solar analyses take a close look at your annual energy production, because we can’t automatically assume that every system will generate the exact same amount of electricity month after month.
Exploring Financing Options & Incentives
Your solar project’s financial structure can sometimes be equally as important as the system itself.
Ohio business leaders should look carefully into available tax considerations, incentives, and financing options prior to making any commitments. This is why your best approach will largely depend on your property ownership, company finances and investment goals.
The good news is that our team will clearly explain these types of considerations for you, because we understand how commercial solar systems aren’t a one-size-fits-all investment!
Think About Battery Storage & Future Growth
Although battery storage isn’t a big factor for every commercial solar installation, it’s sometimes worth considering for businesses that have specific resilience or energy-management goals.
Batteries help businesses store excess energy for later use, manage high-demand periods, and provide backup capabilities.
It’s also a good idea to keep your future energy needs in mind as well. If you plan on adding equipment, expanding your facility, increasing production or changing operating hours, these types of plans need to be carefully considered during your solar design.
Make Informed Solar Investments For Your Ohio Business
There’s no denying how commercial solar energy systems can give your Ohio business an incredible opportunity to reduce energy costs and proactively support long-term energy management goals, but the best solar projects always require careful planning.
Before you start investing in panels and valuable equipment, keep your property, roof condition, energy consumption, electrical infrastructure, future plans, and financial goals in mind. And always use real information about your facility when evaluating your potential project, rather than relying on generic projections.
Garber Electric has supported hundreds of companies across Ohio with solar projects of all sizes, and our team of experts is here to answer your questions when you’re thinking about making the switch.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at 614-212-7900 to start evaluating your facility and learn more about how a solar system will support your team’s electrical needs!