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Facts About Solar Energy
So I bet you feel like you have no idea if you qualify or where to start? Let us help.
Since we aim to take the guesswork out of solar, we thought we’d address some common myths and misconceptions and set the record straight.
What does it take? Many people believe that solar can power their entire facility. Unfortunately, in most cases there is not enough room for satisfactory power density as it relates to the conversion efficiency of the panels. Also, most businesses pay considerably less for their nighttime use than their daytime use and since the sun only shines during the day, it makes more sense to buy from your utility at night.
A typical solar installation can displace 10-80% of a facility’s reliance on the grid.
Government incentives? Many people believe that government incentives will pay for the entirety of their installation. Currently, Federal incentives offset 30%-65% of the total cost of a commercial solar installation, assuming that your entity can take advantage of Federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation. State incentives or RECs (renewable energy credits) vary by market, but can usually offset an additional 5-25% of the installation costs. Check out the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website for more information.
Anything I need to know?
Here are some common terms to get you started:
PV cell=Photovoltaic Cell
A device that converts sunlight into electrical energy.
RECs=Renewable Energy Credits
Attributes related to the generation of Megawatt hours (1,000 Kilowatt hours). For every Megawatt hour produced, you can sell a REC. REC value differs by market, but usually falls between $10-$550 per Megawatt hour.
kWh=Kilowatt Hour
A unit of energy that combines power in Kilowatts and time in hours.
It’s NOT kilowatts per hour.
Array
An interlocked system of solar modules that become a single electricity-producing unit.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
A Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) is a financial arrangement in which a third-party developer owns, operates, and maintains the photovoltaic (PV) system, and a host customer agrees to site the system on its roof or elsewhere on its property and purchases the system’s electric output from the solar services provider for a predetermined period.
Electrical Grid Tied System
A grid-tied electrical system, also called 'tied to grid' or a 'grid tie system', is a semi-autonomous electrical generation or bi-directional, grid energy system which links to the mains ('Main' electrical breaker box) to feed excess electrical capacity back to the local electrical grid.
Battery Back Up System
A Battery Backup Power system allows you to power critical appliances when grid energy is not available. When the grid is "up" your battery bank is kept charged by the grid or your Renewable Energy System. When it is "down", you are able to run your critical loads with the energy you have stored in batteries.
A battery backup system is designed to provide power for home or business when the grid is knocked out by natural disaster, or when there are rolling blackouts. These systems are also appropriate for remote cabins, homes or telecommunication systems where no grid power is available.
With a rack of batteries coupled with an inverter and charge controller, this system will keep your critical power circuits charged and functional and your family safe and comfortable, while allowing you to stay tuned to weather updates, emergency instructions and what's going on outside.
You’re in Texas…so is bigger better? For every 50kW of installed capacity you will need about 6,000 sq feet of usable space, so the more space you have, the more power you can get.
What about thin film? Crystalline silicon solar cells currently dominate the market with about 85% market share. This is for one simple reason; they are the most efficient in producing electricity. Thin film solar cells are an emerging alternative to crystalline silicon solar cells. They boast lower materials costs and larger substrate size… but are only about half as efficient.
What type of roofing considerations? If you’re wondering if your roof is suitable for a solar installation, you can start by answering these basic questions. Has your roof been repaired or replaced in the last 10 years? Is it leak free? If you answered no to either question, you may not be the best candidate for a rooftop installation but we won’t know for sure until we have a structural engineer conduct a full roof analysis. In this analysis we have to prove that your roof has enough excess capacity to withstand the additional load of a solar installation. Our typical ballasted solution weighs about 5-8 lbs per sq ft. To see if your roof has what it takes, contact us today to set up a meeting.
Cloudy and chance of hail? If you’re worried about cloud cover… fear not! If you’ve ever been to Deutschland, you know that it’s a pretty dreary place, yet they generate more solar power there than almost anywhere else in the world. Solar can operate effectively just about anywhere. Most panel’s are rated for golf ball size hail at 50mph but if that is the case you have way more to worry about than hail. We suggest speaking with your insurance agent.
What about ROI? Solar has an average pay-back of 3-12 years, which greatly depends on state incentives. If this seems reasonable for you, then solar may be a good fit for your business.Call us for more insights and feedback on this question.
Cash or credit? We have a variety of financial options to suit your needs, including cash purchase, commercial loan and PPA.
More questions? That’s what we’re here for! Give us a call or request more information about our solar energy solutions.
How do I know if it will work for my business?
There are a lot of things to think about when considering commercial solar energy. Here are a few big ones to help you get started.
Do I have enough space? First and foremost, you need to make sure you have enough commercial roof space. You can get about 50kW of installed solar capacity for every 6,000 square feet of usable roof space.
Tough enough? Next up, stability. All the roof space in the world means nothing if your roof is flimsy. You need a stable roof that can support a minimum of 7.5 lbs per sq ft of excess load on the roof.
Live in a sunshine state? To see what the solar situation is in your area, check out DSIRE, the Database of Incentives for Renwables & Efficiency. Funded by the US Department of Energy, DSIRE is the most reliable and comprehensive source for state, local, utility and Federal rebates. If you want help translating some of the industry jargon or see if we know anything further about your state, feel free to give us a call!
Want to work it out on paper? We have a financial overview and energy analysis estimator to help you assess if you can monetize the Federal Investment Tax Credit (30%) and MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System) Depreciation and determine how much solar power will really cost. To start crunching numbers, call us today and we’ll walk you through the process.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates or Credits? Every Kilowatt-hour you consume from a renewable generation system has a value attached to it and that attribute is measured in RECs or Renewable Energy Credits. The value of an REC varies from state to state, so contact us to find out what value your RECs may have.
Installation worries?
Sticker Shock? We get that time is money, which is why our solar panel installations do not require much of either. Most product testing and assembly is performed before it reaches your facility, meaning very little work is done at the facility itself. This drastically reduces solar panel installation time and costs, and won’t disrupt your normal business operations.
Commitment Anxiety? In most cases we use a ballasted solution,which means no nuts, no bolts and no screwing up your roof warranty. Panels are also easily disassembled and reconfigured should your needs change.
Need control? Whether you’re a maniacal micro-manager or just like to have a hand in things, our solar panel installation team will meet your needs. Our highly trained installation team is fully licensed, insured and bonded, and supervised by a NABCEP Certified field supervisor while at your facility. (NABCEP is North American Board Certified Energy Practitioner.) You will also receive reports of daily progress as well as photos of the progress.
All commercial solar panel installations come with a lifetime workmanship warranty and 24-hour access to your field supervisor before, during and after the installation. We can be on any roof in America in less than 6 hours, so if an issue comes up, we’ll be there.
How do I get started?
Are you a talker? So are we! We’re happy to talk to you about your thoughts and questions on solar energy. Call us at 1-888-WATTOX8. We will always respond within one business day… even if we can’t help.
Prefer the net? That works too. You can email us at info@greenoxenergy.com or fill out our request information form right now.
What then? After we’ve made contact, we’ll send you a PQF (Property Qualification Form). This will help us obtain as much information as possible and see if our solar solution is a good fit for your business. Want to tackle the PQF right away? Download the PQF here.
If we can help, we’ll set up a Discovery Call to learn more about you and your site, tell you all about the GOES solar experience, and give you an idea of how much our turnkey solar installation might cost. After you’ve discovered how cool we are to work with, we will put together a solar proposal. To ensure our proposal is as accurate as possible, we’ll need your last two utility bills and a Letter of Authorization (LOA) so we can contact your utility and access your 30 minute internal data for the last year.
Once all of the data is collected, you will receive a full proposal in 5 business days… guaranteed!
Ready to be wowed? You got it. Our proposal will blow you away. We aim to be thorough, educational and precise, so upon your review, you’ll be ready to hire us!
So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
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