PacB Group // Important Considerations for a Commercial Solar Installation

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Important Considerations for a Commercial Solar Installation

Whether you operate a plastics plant, want to migrate from conventional electricity supply for large-scale farming activities to renewable energy, or want a rooftop solar installation for your company’s office building, you will appreciate our expertise in solar installations. As with any other investment, you need to consider the long-term return on investment. In order to determine the size, price, and ROI of the solar installation, consider the following:

• Energy usage pattern – how much energy does your company use per day, what are the fluctuations, when are the peak periods, and what is the energy load at maximum load? When it comes to solar, it matters when you increase production, switch on another machine, or even add a few servers to the line. You need to know the exact power demand, patterns of use, and maximum load needs.
• Energy storage – do you need to operate at night as well? If this is the case, you may want to use a combination of solar, conventional electricity supply, and diesel generator supply. You will need UPS systems and require a substantial battery bank. Even the best batteries cannot keep up with the load handled during the day. Grid power use is thus recommended for nighttime operations.
• Roof space and orientation – is it a penetrating or ballasted structure? There may be no trees covering or shading the roof. Also keep in mind that any large structures throwing shade onto the roof will cause loss of efficiency when it comes to solar panels. Only consider a solar installation on a roof that is well-maintained. When roof maintenance is needed, you will have to call the installation technicians to remove the solar panels.
• Roof strength – the roof must be able to handle the weight of the panels. Whilst not excessively heavy, when a hundred or more solar panels are installed on a roof, the installation will add a considerable weight load to the structure.

Why Solar Installation

Unlike with a conventional electricity supply that relies heavily on coal and fossil fuels to provide the energy for the power stations, solar panels use nothing but the sun. The panels do not create waste products and do not add to air pollution and your carbon footprint. The panels do not produce harmful emissions, as those associated with coal-fired or fuel-driven powerplants. There are no nitrogen oxides, mercury vapour, lead, or other hazardous substances and gases associated with the generation of solar power. The environmental risks associated with conventional power generation include water and air pollution. This is not the case with rooftop solar installation. In addition, solar panels on the roof of your office building or factory do not have a negative impact on wildlife.

With many commercial buildings in South Africa already carrying the 4-star Green Star rating for energy efficiency and low environmental impact, one can expect more and more firms to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Solar installation is a superb solution, as it helps to reduce the overall electricity demand of the building. It is even possible to power all the lights and computer equipment in such an office park or building with solar. As such, installation helps to improve the company’s energy-efficiency profile, which is also important in terms of compliance with the ISO 14001 standard.

Solar installation considerations include the budget limits, energy requirements, availability of space for panel installation, maintenance requirements, long-term return on investment, maintenance agreements, warranties, and the lifespan of the panels. When it comes to a commercial or industrial solar installation, it is essential to work with a company that offers superior quality, installation expertise, warranties, service level agreements, and power monitoring measures. We meet and exceed these requirements.