6 things to think of before installing commercial solar in Melbourne
As energy prices continue to soar, more and more businesses in Melbourne (and all over Australia) are turning to commercial solar in order to bring down their electricity bills.
Solar is a big investment that has the potential to generate considerable rewards and a positive ROI… assuming it’s done properly, of course!
Thinking of commercial solar installation in Melbourne? If so, you’ll want to make the best possible decision regarding your business’ expenses,
And that means thinking about…
1) Pitch and angle
The sun never stays in one spot. Throughout the day, it moves throughout the sky, and it may hang higher or lower in the sky, depending on the season.
This is a major challenge that needs to be overcome during commercial solar installation!
Solar panels generate the most energy when they face the sun head-on, as this allows them to capture all the sunlight that hits them and convert it into energy.
In order to maximise your savings, your commercial solar installer in Melbourne will need to orient your panels in such a way that they capture as much sunlight as possible.
Down here in Melbourne, the angle that offers the best compromise throughout the seasons is 37.8 degrees, facing north.
As a result, businesses with sloped, north-facing roofs are ideal for commercial solar installation, as the existing roof slope already maximises sun coverage without the need for special mounting brackets and frames.
Down here in Melbourne, the angle that offers the best compromise throughout the seasons is 37.8 degrees, facing north.
2) How much power you need
Do you run a small retail business? Or a large factory with several energy-intensive pieces of machinery?
Either way, both of these situations call for a completely different solar solution for your commercial property.
In order to ensure that you receive a system that provides you with substantial savings without paying more than you need to, you’ll need to to figure out exactly how much electricity you actually need.
A system that’s too small won’t give you the savings you’re looking for, limiting its practical effect on your bottom line. At the same time, a system that’s too large comes with considerable upfront costs, which extends how long it takes to make a positive ROI.
At Pacific Solar, our design process is entirely driven by data. We start by looking at your electrical meter to determine how much electricity your business uses, as well its peak energy usage.
By comparing this against the tech specs of our solar technology and the size of your roof, we can calculate exactly how much money you stand to save by choosing our proposal, as well as exactly how long it will take to generate a positive ROI.
Do you need 1kW or 20kW? Click here to learn more about the size of your commercial solar system.
3) Structural considerations
Solar panels weigh a lot less than you might imagine – however, not all roofs are strong enough to support them!
Each building is designed to support a specific weight. When performing commercial solar installation, this needs to be carefully considered in order to avoid complications further down the line.
During the consultation process, it’s best to look at the engineering blueprints for your commercial property, or better yet, engage a structural engineer to determine if the building has sufficient support to carry the added weight of solar panels.
This will help us determine exactly what your roof is capable of sustaining, and where commercial solar panels can be safely installed.
At Pacific Solar, we offer panels from a wide-range of brands, including LG, who produce some of the most efficient and high-performing systems on the market.
That means more sunlight converted into electricity for smaller and lighter panels.
Using LG products, we’ve been able to successfully complete commercial solar installation in Melbourne… even for properties that wouldn’t otherwise be able to support solar!
And on a related note…
4) Will your roof be able to handle it?
In addition to how much load your structure can take, it’s also important that your roof can handle the added weight.
The good news is that solar panels can be installed on just about any type of roofing material there is. The problem is that not all roofs are in a condition where they can support solar panels.
If there’s any wear or damage to your roof, it needs to be repaired before commercial solar installation can commence. By doing it the other way around, you may be forced to remove your solar panels in order to fix any roof issues, adding a lot of extra work to your installation.
5) Think about your goal
For most of our commercial solar clients, the goal is broadly the same: to bring down their energy bills and reduce electricity costs
Where many commercial solar installations in Melbourne differ is in the details!
- Some businesses want to reduce costs across the board
- Others want to eliminate power bills altogether
- Some want the energy security solar panels can provide
Your commercial solar system may differ depending on what your goals.
Say you want a solar system that doesn’t just save power, but which can also keep essential processes running during an electrical blackout.
It’s important to remember that solar panels on their own may not function during a blackout for technical and safety reasons.
In these cases, solar batteries might be just what you need. Excess electricity is stored in these batteries, giving you a reservoir or power to draw from when the grid fails (and without the space a diesel generator needs!)
6) Will your solar panels be supported in the long-term?
As a booming industry, there are many installers and manufacturers who are entering the solar market, eager to turn a quick profit before the market stabilises.
On the one hand, this has driven prices down, making commercial solar more affordable than it’s ever been.
On the other hand, it comes with its own problems; namely, the fact that many of these new entrants aren’t going to stick around for the long-term!
In business theory, there are several stages an industry goes through – this is known as the industry life cycle.
- Introduction/start-up
- Growth
- Consolidation/shakeout
- Stability
- Decline
Right now, the solar industry is in the growth stage. As demand increases, so to is the number of solar installers and manufacturers, chasing the growth trend.
But will they still be here once the market consolidates and stabilises?
Commercial solar installation is a long-term investment, and (ideally) should be supported with long-term service and support.
That means maintenance work to keep your panels in working order, as well as ongoing reporting that tells you exactly how much money you’re saving (numbers are the language of business, after all).
The only way you’ll get that is by choosing panels and a commercial solar team who are going to stick around for the long-haul.
At Pacific Solar, we’ve been working exclusively with solar for over 10 years, and we plan on continuing to do so for a long time yet. You can trust Pacific Solar to provide your business with service long after the initial install.
What’s more, we only elect to install panels, inverters and other pieces of hardware from reputable brands. You won’t find any no-name solar components here – only reputable brands which are going to be in this industry for years to come.
Call Pacific Solar for commercial solar installation in Melbourne
At Pacific Solar, our mission isn’t just to save you money – it’s to do it while also providing your business with the best possible service.
We’ve partnered up with some of the world’s leading solar brands to help businesses big and small save money on their power bills.
Click here to find out how much you stand to save.
And once you’re done with that, get in touch with Pacific Solar – call us on 1300 448 447, or click here to find out how we can help you!