ADDING SOLAR TO THAT ROOFING PROJECT?

Close-up view of modern solar panels integrated with roofing, showcasing renewable energy advancements.

As it turns out, the best buildings for commercial solar are buildings with large, flat rooftops in good condition. Who knew? Well, we did!

Solar projects will last many decades and it is best that you make sure your rooftop lasts just as long. We call these rooftops “idle assets” because of the lost opportunity commercial building owners face by not investing in a solar power system. Commercial solar makes great business sense! You can lower your current operating expenses and provide peace of mind against rising energy costs, and tap into the growing customer base that look for environmentally responsible vendors that are focused on sustainable energy strategies.

Government incentives combined with recent decreases in solar equipment prices make the investment in solar power a good financial decision for businesses and public agencies. An investment in solar power can generate quick payback as well as long-term savings. Simply put, a solar power system can reduce or eliminate your business's electric bill. As demand for energy rises and non-renewable resource pools shrink, the cost of energy goes up. Added to that, events beyond your control can cause sudden short-term spikes in energy prices, putting unnecessary stress (and additional cost) on your business. Generating electricity from solar energy means your company uses less fossil fuel, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and by switching to solar power, your company does its part to fight climate change and to reduce our country’s dependence of foreign energy sources. But the benefits go further – being a sustainable business can not only reduce your operating costs, but can also be a positive public relations and marketing tool. Research shows that a growing number of consumers make their buying decisions based on companies' environmental responsibility.

For commercial solar projects, technology choices are critical. For example, using a tracker mount for your solar panels can produce more energy than any other mounting system. These trackers follow the sun all day, ensuring you get the most out of your solar array and allowing you to make more accurate predictions about your solar energy production. If you have a "low slope, or flat" rooftop on your commercial building, you may do well to consider a "PV-Booster"- which is a tracking mount meant for rooftop installation that can produce significantly more energy with your solar panels than a fixed tilt rack. Your choices in solar are many! For instance, "bifacial solar panels" produce energy from both sides of the solar panel and generate energy from sunlight reflected off the backside of the panel. So, if you were to implement a bifacial solar panel array on your buildings' roof, a typical northern climate weather event like snow (and/or a highly reflective roof coating) could be a huge benefit and can help reflect more sunlight onto your solar panels!

Going solar will not only allow you to recoup a significant portion of your investment (up front), but may also provide you numerous additional ways to make money. Here are two primary ways: (1) When you install commercial solar panels, you benefit from the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a 26% federal tax credit (phasing down after 2022). With 100% bonus depreciation available, businesses can take an immediate first-year deduction on their solar installations. (2) Now more than ever, commercial building owners are profiting off their solar energy systems! As a building owner utilizing a solar energy solution, you will be able to (should you choose to do so) sell solar power to your tenants. This is simpler than it sounds - By using an electric meter, you can record how much solar energy your tenant is using and bill them accordingly. To learn more about your options regarding billing your tenant(s) for solar energy, check out online publications such as Solar for Landlords Guide, or Community Solar for Landlords - both are a great wealth of information on this topic.

There’s no time like the present for your business to consider going solar! Look at your bottom line and the effect solar power would have on it, and join the ranks of smart organizations who have saved (and/or made) money by adding commercial solar power. Businesses of all sizes can benefit tremendously from installing commercial solar panels! The key to making the whole thing "just work" is by employing the necessary cross coordination work with your roofing contractor of choice. Commercial solar and flat roofs are designed to be joined together, literally. Make sure you're aligned with commercial roofing and solar providers that understand this, and have done the same - It takes considerable planning, preparation, and experience (one with the other) to ensure a successful application of both!