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Businesses can save money by using solar power. It can also increase the value of their property. Additionally, it can improve their reputation. Furthermore, they may be eligible for government incentives and rebates.
With their solar system, businesses can save substantial amounts of money on their monthly electricity bills, and the panels provide a return on investment. Additionally, installing a solar system on a commercial property increases its value and can improve the business’ reputation through social responsibility and sustainability.
Furthermore, each state in Australia has different incentives and rebates, making the initial purchase price more affordable. When looking for a commercial solar provider, it's important to know your electricity bill. Choose a provider with retail experience, reliable equipment and suppliers, and a good warranty.
Commercial solar – What are the benefits?
A commercial solar system is an excellent option for businesses of all sizes. However, many businesses hesitate to jump because of the initial cost. Instead of continuing to pay higher electricity bills over time, why not save money with commercial solar? This FAQ will explain the benefits of switching to solar power.
Commercial solar systems can differ widely in quality, sophistication and future performance resulting in a wide range of financial and environmental outcomes. When considering a commercial solar system, keep in mind these guiding goals:
- Achieve the highest financial savings possible;
- Improve overall asset value with a strongly backed system;
- Lower the risk of future energy price escalation;
- Help the environment by purchasing a durable system that makes clean energy and lowers CO2 emissions over time.
1. Reduce your electricity bills
We have found that the initial cost is the most significant factor that turns businesses away from commercial solar system. However, if you look into the returns and savings you get from it and look at the purchase as an investment, you will realise how good of a deal it is.
Electricity prices have increased significantly over recent years and are expected to increase considerably over the coming years. Many businesses have seen a 40-50% increase in monthly electricity bills over the past few years.
With your solar system, you do not have to buy as much electricity from the grid. Instead, your energy is generated, reducing the need to pay high grid power rates. The result of this investment is that you save noticeably on your power bills for many years, leaving you with spare cash for other parts of your business.
Commercial solar has a benefit for businesses. It helps by giving more control over electricity costs. It also protects from rising costs in the future.
2. Increase the value of your business premises
Like residential properties, installing a solar power system on commercial properties increases the value. The value is increased because commercial solar allows businesses to operate with operational costs and reduced exposure to electricity costs from the grid.
If the time comes when the business moves location, having a commercial solar system can add some value on top of your current building value. This will allow you to pocket extra cash or have a bigger budget for your next office.
3. Improve the business reputation regarding sustainability
As the shift to renewable energy becomes more popular and gains more momentum, having solar on your commercial building will improve your business’ reputation. This will have good effects, like making employees proud of the business’s environmental leadership and attracting important customers.
Installing solar panels at your business can attract environmentally conscious consumers. This can help grow your client base and profits. Solar panels reduce your carbon footprint.
Additionally, you were to purchase this from a local solar company that also installs this for you. By supporting local businesses, you can build a network that brings in more referrals and boosts your business reputation.
4. Look for available Government incentives and rebates
Much like residential solar, there are incentives and rebates for businesses that install solar. These deals can help you save money with discounts, cashback, or low-interest loans, making it easier to pay for things.
One particular scheme that some councils around Australia support is called the Environmental Upgrade Agreement. You can get a loan for solar or eco-friendly projects with the Council as the guarantor in certain situations.
The loan is repaid to the financier via the Council, who charges you via the business council rates. The added security of this process creates a finance agreement with attractive interest rates on the finance.
As you know, commercial solar systems have many benefits for all types of businesses. It provides the business various benefits if it is newly established or the biggest business on the market. Therefore, all business owners should be looking into commercial solar systems.
5. Who should I go to for my commercial solar panel installer?
The company you choose to install your solar system needs to be more than a good installer. They will also need to be able to analyse your consumption patterns and tariffs to suggest the best solutions.
Most important is to understand your electricity bill and how solar power can impact it. For example, some businesses have “unbundled” tariffs that charge separately for energy consumption and peak demand. In these cases, solar power may only sometimes lead to significant reductions in peak demand, which means the bill reductions could be lower than expected.
Letting the solar installation company know your electricity habits is important. For example, a business with mostly night-time consumption may not be a good candidate for solar power. Then again, a business with lots of power consumption between 9 am and 1 pm would be a great candidate for an east-facing solar panel system.
In addition, choosing a solar provider with great commercial installation experience is important, as installing commercial solar power is more complex than installing household solar.
What job does my solar provider do?
The provider needs to check the roof, connect to the grid, and design a high-performance solar system. So, please always ask commercial solar installers to highlight their past projects. To find a solar installer for business projects, check the companies listed in city areas on our company finder. They have installed many commercial solar systems.
In regional areas, many installers stick to a size of 100 kW or 500 kW as the maximum size of the system they will supply. You can contact companies like Smart Commercial Solar and Autonomous Energy for large-scale commercial solar projects.
Lastly, it is important to choose trusted equipment and suppliers. Solar panels should work for more than 20 years. Picking well-known brands with a good reputation and a local warranty is important. Selecting a solar provider with a long operation history is also essential to ensure that help is available.
