Overview Of Solar Energy For
Commercial Power Needs
There is an overwhelming
awareness about renewable and cheaper sources of energy like the solar energy.
However, most commercial enterprises don’t have the basic understanding needed
for considering solar energy as a dependable resource for powering their
facilities. Thus, it becomes essential to understand how solar installations
are established for commercial use and the advantages of using solar energy as
a power source.
What
Services Should Your Solar Energy Vendor Provide?
Following are some of the basic
set of services that your solar installation provider should be able to extend:
Site evaluation/consultation is
usually offered without any charges. Businesses are provided information
including:
- Suitability
of the location and the operations
- Time
needed for making the switch from conventional to solar energy
- Basic
information about the entire installation process
- Expenses
related to technical installations
- Proposal
Once the initial visits are
over, the vendor should be able to offer a formal proposal. This should include
the design requirements, a more precise estimate of the total costs and savings
that would be done in the form of rebates/tax credits. The idea is to give the
business managers an approximation of the amount of savings that would be
possible, in annual figures. A proposal may or may not be combined with a
simulation of how much money would be saved in terms of monthly energy billing
and the time taken to break-even the installation costs.
If the proposal is agreed upon,
the installation begins. However, on-site installation might differ a bit from
the actual commitments. This is where the integrity of the solar installation vendor
comes to the forefront. He should be able to customize the entire process to
maintain the functionality of the commercial facility.
Once the solar installations
have been completed, some inspections are carried out. This includes
inspections by either the municipality or the state utility company. The
provider should be able to help out with arranging and attending these
inspections to seek the final approval.
- Post-installation
Services
The provider of solar energy
installations should conduct periodic facility assessments to ensure that the
installed equipment is running as per expectations and operational instructions
are being followed.
Basics
Of Solar Energy Resources Used For Commercial Units
Different commercial
enterprises use specifically designed/customized models to use solar energy for
powering their equipments. However, there are some basic components that are
found among most solar commercial units:
The module is mounted on areas
that are prone to receiving a significant amount of sunlight, including roofs
and empty ground spaces. The module is responsible for converting the sunlight
to electric charge.
The power created in the form
of electric charges is transmitted to the inverter. It functions like a power
converter. It converts the transmitted DC form of electricity to AC power.
From the inverter, the power is
transmitted to an electrical panel, from where it is routed to different
loading points. Through these points, electric power reaches different parts of
a facility.
Rebates
Offered For Using Solar Energy
Many states, such as California, offer
rebates for business units that use solar energy-powered resources. These are
extended to both the bigger and small-scale companies. Example, the CSI or the
California Solar Initiative offers financial rebates for companies using solar
electric configurations. These rebates are comprehensive enough to cover nearly
40% of the cost that is incurred at the time of installation.
The rebates are offered through
innovative programs such as:
- EPBB
- Expected Performance Based Buydown
- PBI
Program - Performance Based Incentive
The amount offered as rebate
depends upon a number of factors, including:
- Size
of the operational unit and its location
- Orientation
toward use of energy resources
- Factors
that affect solar equipment such as shading
- Size
of the facility that wants to utilize alternative power resources
It is vital to choose a
renewable energy solutions vendor who is capable of suggesting/installing the
most appropriate solar installation for a commercial building. Solar power
systems are a low-risk but long-term investment, and it is essential to judge
the quality of services being offered by solar energy solution vendors before
hiring their services.
For more information check out the following pages:
Energy Efficiency Audit, LED Lighting and Energy Saving
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