6 Reasons to Install a Solar Panel System for your Commercial Business

Solar contractor installing a rooftop commercial solar panel system.

​Energy is one of the largest, unavoidable operating expenses for businesses - and costs can vary substantially.  With the current global movement to responsibly source energy, now is the perfect time to give your company an edge by "going green" and installing a commercial solar system.  Commercial solar also referred to as C&I solar (commercial & industrial sector), is any solar system connected to a commercial meter with a utility.  In the past decade, Connecticut solar contractors have made great strides in helping business owners responsibly source their energy from renewables.  To help understand how using a solar contractor will make you outshine your competitors in the era of green energy, keep reading:

1.  Money talks. 
Solar panels help save on  the unavoidable, and frequently rising, energy costs of running a commercial business.  Installation of a quality solar array should be viewed as an investment that will deliver excellent returns of up to 20-30% over time.  On average, the payback period for solar panel systems is approximately 3 - 7.5 years.    Over a relatively short period of time your savings on utilities add up and surpass the cost of installation thus putting profits back into your pocket! 

​While the cost of utilities remains volatile year over year, installation of a solar panel system locks in fixed energy prices for decades.

2.  Uncle Sam can help.
Over the past decade solar panel prices have fallen near 30%.  That along with federal and local tax incentives and rebates, solar panel installation is cheaper than ever before.  The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) gives a tax credit of 26% off the entire cost of your solar panel equipment.  However, at the end of 2022 this credit will decrease to 22%. 

Another money saving perk in the state of Connecticut is net metering which is full retail rate credit for the amount of unused electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.  But don't wait, Connecticut's net metering policy has been extended only through 2021 which means additional legislation will be needed in order to extend the net metering benefit.  So by going solar before it expires you can lock in net metering until the year 2041! 

Further, solar installation in Connecticut is 100% exempt from sales taxes, giving you a 6.35% savings on purchase price!  Added up, these extensive financial benefits from the local and federal government make now the best time to invest in solar.

3.  Sustainability is in.
The United States is forecasted to complete a record breaking 3 million solar panel installations in 2021 with an increase to 4 million installations by 2023. The era of fossil fuels and big oil is winding down.  "Going green" is not only the new trend in construction it is also a national movement.  Depending on your geographic location and direct exposure to the sun, your business can rely on the power of homegrown sunshine year after year without worrying about your carbon footprint.  For every kilowatt of solar panels you install your business avoids about one ton of carbon emissions every year. 

4.  Boost your brand.
Your business's commitment to clean energy sends a positive message to your customers that you value sustainability and taking care of the environment for everyone.  According to CGS 2019 U.S. Consumer Sustainability Survey, more than two-thirds of Americans value green business practices when making a purchase and of those surveyed one-third were willing to pay more for sustainably produced products. CGS, a global provider of business applications, also discovered that the number two reason consumers are most likely to return to a brand is its sustainable/ethical business practices.  This second only to product quality which ranks as the number one reason consumers return to a brand.  

Make no mistake, sustainability drives demand and customer loyalty.

5.  Little to no maintenance.
Over the course of a solar panel system's lifetime, which can span 25 years or more, little to no maintenance is required.  At most, occasional light cleaning of panels to remove debris or dust over time is all that is required.  Typically, if something does go wrong with your system most often the solar PV components have very long warranties that will cover repair or replacement.

6.  Businesses big and small can benefit from Solar Panels.
Whether a large manufacturing facility or a small grocer, a solar panel installation can be customized to fit the scale of your operation.  Only limited to the amount of space available for the panels themselves, rooftops, carports, and ground mounted arrays all offer great opportunities to maximize your green energy potential.  Commercial businesses can be outfitted with residential type systems as small as 20-30 panels to many mega-watts either on top of a building or in a field with 1000's of panels.   ​

​If running a profitable business while also being a responsible steward to the environment is important to you, solar panels may be the right choice!  For more information on the many benefits of solar panels and renewable energy visit energy.gov or the Connecticut Department of Energy's page on Renewable Energy.  To find out if solar is right for you or how Dyna Electric, Inc. can help your commercial business take advantage of solar energy in your area, visit us at dynaelectric.com/solar or contact us here! 
 

Southern Connecticut State University, 1.25 MV Parking Garage & Carport

source:
https://www.seia.org/news/united-states-surpasses-2-million-solar-installations/
https://www.tradeandindustrydev.com/industry/retail/report-consumers-willing-pay-sustainability-15246
CGS Survey Reveals Sustainability Is Driving Demand and Customer Loyalty (globenewswire.com)
https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-rebates-incentives/ct/
https://www.solarreviews.com/solar-incentives/connecticut
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Energy/Renewable-Energy/Renewable-Energy​
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