Commercial solar installations in detail

A commercial solar installation is the process of installing photovoltaic (PV) equipment on commercial buildings or properties to provide clean, affordable electricity.

Like residential solar panels, commercial solar applications include panels and inverters that generate energy and convert it into usable electricity. They may also include solar batteries, electric vehicle chargers and other ancillary products, depending on the purpose and scope of the system.

How does a commercial solar system work?
A commercial solar system uses solar panels to capture sunlight and generate direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity is then converted into alternating current by microinverters or inverters, which the building can use instead of electricity from the grid. All the solar electricity consumed by the building is reflected in savings on electricity bills.

Electricity from solar panels that is not consumed immediately can be stored in battery storage for later use or sent back to the electricity grid. If you generate less solar energy than your building consumes and than you are able to store, you will still need to purchase energy from the electricity grid, but it will be less than if you did not have solar energy.

Where can commercial solar panels be installed?
Commercial solar panels can be installed on roofs or as ground-mounted systems, just like residential panels. Commercial solar panels come with several additional options.

Building owners can install panels on carports or on the roofs of parking garages for large solar projects. For small, specialised energy sources for outdoor lighting or parking meters, commercial panels can also be mounted on poles.

Roof-mounted solar panels are the most common option, but many commercial buildings have flat roofs that are not tilted towards the sun for optimal energy absorption and energy production.

Fortunately, special tilted mounting systems can be installed on flat roofs to position the panels at an ideal angle to the sun, making them just as advantageous as on the sloped roofs of residential buildings. Building owners can also maximise solar electricity production with sun-tracking mounting structures that automatically rotate the panels towards the sun throughout the day.

Advantages of commercial solar installations

• Reduced operating costs: One of the main reasons building owners consider switching to solar energy is to reduce their electricity costs. Commercial solar panels can offset a significant portion or even all of your electricity consumption, which means monthly savings on your energy bills.
• Positive consumer perception: Customers and clients who are concerned about the environment may have a more positive opinion of companies that align with their own beliefs about climate change and renewable energy sources.
• Available subsidies: There are a number of different subsidy programmes and other incentives for switching to solar energy that can reduce the initial costs.
• Environmental and sustainability benefits: One of the most significant benefits is, of course, the reduction of your building's carbon footprint. Switching to solar energy reduces pollution, emissions and your contribution to climate change.

Disadvantages of commercial solar installations

• High initial costs: Commercial solar applications can be extremely expensive. Clean energy systems often pay for themselves over time, but the initial costs can be a major barrier to entry.
• Space requirements: Solar panels, batteries and other photovoltaic equipment take up space and require direct access to sunlight. If you don't have roof space or a suitable sunny location to install panels on the ground, solar energy may not be a viable option for your building.