As more businesses look to solar to help reduce their operational costs; it’s important they are armed with the right information on which to base a solid purchase decision.
Commercial scale solar power can deliver substantial electricity bill savings to businesses, particularly when an array is sized to match daytime load. With solar panels, inverters and other components having dropped in price significantly; businesses can expect a payback time from as little as 5 years. After this time, the power generated is essentially free.
However, just as is the case with home solar power; businesses need to carefully consider their options to ensure they acquire quality equipment installed by suitably qualified and experienced installers in order to achieve the best possible return on their investment.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) yesterday launched a guide for installing commercial scale solar power systems at an event hosted by the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI).
“Understanding complex business solutions such as installing solar energy can be difficult for many businesses,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.
“VECCI sees the partnership with the CEC in this space as a natural fit – the CEC understands the technical aspects of solar, whilst we bring an understanding of what’s important to business.”
The guide outlines the business case for installing solar, the process for system design and installation, and how to access information on planning regulations, incentives and finance.
The 28-page Guide To Installing Solar PV For Business And Industry can be downloaded here (PDF).
In addition to the CEC’s guide, another free publication for businesses is Energy Matters’ How To Evaluate A Solar Proposal. The document was prepared to assist businesses in choosing a commercial solar provider through asking a series of simple, but very important questions.
