Reasons for Going Solar
Australia is among the highest carbon polluters in the world per capita and yet has the most solar resources of any inhabited continent. Proven solar technology is both beneficial to the environment and a great hedge against rapidly rising electricity prices. There are a multitude of solid economic, social and environmental reasons for commercial solar.
New incentives for tenants and landlords to move towards sustainable buildings (i.e. carbon tax)
Generate electricity at a lower cost than purchasing from a utility. If a business is paying more than 18-20c/kWh for peak electricity usage, a system designed to the businesses’ peak usage will provide a payback time of between 5 and 7 years – after which time, the electricity generated is practically free. With solar panels having a long life (25 + years), this translates to a big reductions in the businesses’ long term running costs.
Commercial building owners can generate revenue by selling power to their building’s tenant or to electricity retailers.
Building owners can increase the value of their building by improving your NABERs /Green star rating.
Government solar rebates, grants and tax breaks are available. Environmental upgrade agreements and funding available from government and financial institutions.
Add to the business brand’s credibility via system visibility prominently displayed in the building.
Counteract business operational risk of future chronic power shortages by controlling / producing power to existing businesses in the building.
Generate clean, green energy for many decades – well beyond the 25 year warranty period on the panels.
Building upgrades – Most tenants don’t want any disruption to their businesses and or an increase in rents; PV systems additional to other energy efficient initiatives provide a quick solution to raise the EER of the building.
Any business with a big enough roof space could benefit from a commercial scale solar power system utilising a roof space in good condition, with no overshadowing; with( preferably) a northerly aspect can contribute to the energy efficiency of the existing building .
The price of solar power has fallen sharply over the last 18 months, while electricity prices have escalated – the future of electricity price hikes will continue upwards with grid upgrades and retailers profit pressures.
