Reasons to Consider Solar Power for your Business
As a business owner, one of the highest overhead costs facing you is the cost of electricity. Being reliant on the diesel generator or commercial power grid also means you’re subject to electric rate fluctuations. Sudden price increases add uncertainty to your business, especially to your cash flow management. Maybe it’s time to lessen that load and look at how your business can benefit from solar power installation.
Solar power panels are rapidly becoming mainstream alternative energy sources in Nigeria, you may have thought that switching to solar power for your business was a risky move. You’ve probably heard about large companies such as TotalEnergies filling stations, Petrocam filling stations and more adding solar, but felt it was not feasible for your business. It’s time to get rid of that thinking. Many business owners are adding solar and reaping the rewards.
Solar isn’t just for big companies anymore. Businesses of all sizes can capitalize on the many benefits of adding solar power. Solar energy has become a strategic decision that has proven to have numerous benefits for your business.
Now you’re likely thinking, “How can my business benefit from solar power installation?” and “Are solar power worth the investment?” Well, you’re not alone with these questions. The way to answer them is by looking at the benefits for businesses using solar energy.
Solar Power Benefits for Businesses
Deciding to convert your business to solar power isn’t something you should do quickly. You need to thoroughly evaluate your current energy supply situation and assess where you need to be in the future. Like any business investment, you weigh the pros and cons. You know that solar energy is a long-term investment that takes time for a decent return. Ultimately, you’ll make your decision based on the benefits of solar power for your business. Here are some of the main advantages:
Reduced Operating Costs with Solar Power
Solar power gives you a great return on investment
Energy Independence
High reliability and low maintenance
Reduced Operating Costs with Solar Power
Like every business owner, you want to cut overhead costs. Business overhead includes many expenses outside of wages and operational materials. In managing a business, you have to pay for supplies, property maintenance and utilities. One major overhead expense that you can reduce is your electric energy costs.
A consistent energy supply is vital for every business. Depending on your office or facility, you’ll use electric power for more than just lights. You might have electric heating and cooling systems as well as machinery or equipment powered by electricity. Every electrical device demands its share of energy. There’s only so much you can do to make a device electrically-efficient, so the challenge is to reduce your overhead cost of power.
When converting to solar power, you should ask yourself if you want to reduce your dependency on the commercial power grid or go total solar. No matter how far you take your solar conversion, you’re going to drop your overhead costs and continue benefiting from this substantial saving.
Having your private power production provided by the sun means you’ll always know what your overhead costs are. You are in control of cutting electrical overheads as you see fit. You’ll always have the same rate unless you choose to add to your electrical load. You’ll also have the peace of mind knowing you are price protected.
Solar power gives you a great return on investment
Although the cost may initially seem high, it’s an investment that will continue to help your bottom line. Depending on the size of your system, it can pay for itself in a couple of years while you benefit from lower or zero electric bills. Businesses of all sizes are finally recognizing that a solar electric energy system is a key strategic decision that guarantees a solid financial return for years to come. It also helps to attract business as many customers are attracted to businesses that are dedicated to sustainability efforts. Just imagine, in three years, the CO2 offset of one 105KW system is equal to 225,131.47 liters of gas saved.
Many people don’t realize it, but commercial electrical power is a commodity. It’s bought and sold based on supply and demand. When you draw from the power grid, you’re subject to current market forces and user rates. You’re not protected from future costs. That’s because futures are unpredictable.
The cost of solar panels have decreased 70% since 2010 and some are predicting they will keep dropping on a smaller scale. By converting to solar energy, you’re making an investment in the future of your bottom line. Like the stock market where investors bet on future markets, you can hedge your electrical bet by installing a self-contained solar generation system. With solar power, you benefit from lowering your electrical consumption cost and protecting your company’s future.
Energy Independence
Independence from commercial energy supply sources is another chief benefit you’ll get by converting to solar power. By investing in a self-contained solar system, you can reduce or remove your dependency on your local power company. Besides saving you significant money in overhead costs, you’ll have the assurance of a reliable electric supply regardless of what happens to the commercial grid.
In many areas, commercial power failure is a fact of life. You may be in a power-sensitive industry like cold storage where you can’t tolerate a lapse in your electrical supply. Many areas in Nigeria have regular power interruptions from severe vandalism. When you’re self-reliant on your solar power system, you’ll have a dependable electrical supply no matter what happens to your commercial power provider.
Properly designed and installed solar power systems are completely reliable. Unlike machinery or generating equipment, solar panels have no moving parts. You simply have a series of interconnected panels that convert the sun’s rays through a photovoltaic process to produce live alternating current electricity. It’s the same current you get from your commercial power company, but you produce it independently.
With solar energy, you have the option of storing electricity through a battery system. Power is always there when you need a back-up such as night time or fading light.
High reliability and low maintenance
Solar panels are virtually maintenance-free (apart from occasional cleaning) and noiseless. In most cases, the structure of commercial buildings makes them easily accessible. The solar cells are encased in tempered, protective glass, framed by non-corrosive aluminum. They are built to be exposed to the elements and can withstand rain, hail, wind, and snow – just about any weather-related threat you can think of.
In general, the photovoltaic cells that make up the solar panels very rarely break down. Even if they do, our solar panels come with a 25-year warranty, which means that once you add solar panels to your commercial building, you will generate your own clean electricity for at least 25 years or more, from a system that is just as functional and probably more reliable than the utility company.
Solar Power for Businesses with Lotalinks
Whether you own a small building or large corporation, choosing solar power for your business can make a big impact; not only for the environment, but on your bottom line. Why not get started and experience the benefits of solar energy this year? As a leading engineering firm providing commercial photovoltaic design & energy engineering services, we know what it takes to put energy into your projects. Let us help you make your commercial solar project a reality.
Contact the commercial solar engineers at Lotalinks Technologies Ltd at 0809-300-9019 to learn more.