What Is Industrial Solar?
Big solar plants that cover much ground or roof space and make much power are called C&I solar, utility-scale solar, or industrial solar systems. They’re made for workshops, warehouses, and big businesses.
Businesses in this category may significantly cause climate change because they release many greenhouse gasses. As a result, the industry sector needs to be aware of how it affects the environment and take the proper steps to lower emissions. Not only is solar power suitable for the Earth, it’s also a great business. These are all the good things that can happen to a business with an industrial solar system:
Why is Industrial Solar Power Important?
Solar power is quickly replacing traditional power sources in many fields worldwide in wide variety. These days, people care more about the environment and want to support brands and companies that do their part to protect it and lower their carbon footprint.
Going solar is good for more than just the environment. Businesses can enjoy several other perks when they make the switch. You should put money into solar panel setups if you own a business and want to discover the benefits they might bring. This piece tells you everything you need to know to make a choice and understand why industrial solar power is essential.
Best Types of Industrial Solar Panels
Because so much of the world is going through an energy crisis right now, putting an industrial solar system is one of the best things that can be done. Almost eighty percent of the world’s energy comes from coal, natural gas, and oil, all of which are bad for the climate and ecosystem.
Putting in a commercial solar system at your business has many benefits besides being good for the environment. But you must make a smart choice if you want these tools to work. There are a few things you should think about before putting commercial solar panels for business use. In the end, the setting can be tricky and complicated.
Solar energy is a reliable and long-lasting source of clean energy that can save you a lot of money and time if the surroundings and the type of solar panels you choose are just right. There are such good chances in a field that has put much effort into making valuable ways to collect, use, and store solar energy by making different solar panels.
How Do Industrial Solar Panels Work?
The solar panels’ usefulness is based on how much sunshine is reflected off their surface and turned into heat or electricity.
Before recent improvements in photovoltaic technology, solar cells only worked about 15% of the time on average. Now, that range of performance is between 15% and 22%. Solar panels that work well can get as high as 23% efficiency. The panel’s power level has increased from 250W to 370W in this case.
The two things that determine how efficient a solar panel is are the efficiency of its photovoltaic (PV) cells and the efficiency of the panel as a whole.
How Well Cells Work
To find out how efficient the solar panels are, all you have to do is divide their maximum power rating under standard test settings by the area they cover. It would be best to use the meter size measurement for the math.
How Well Panels Work
How well a solar cell works depends on the type of silicon used and how the cell is built. On the other hand, the basic things that help determine the total panel efficiency are the cell layout, structure, and size.
What Industries Can Use Solar Power?
Lots of folks are curious about whether their business can make the switch to solar power. The good news is that if your business uses electricity, it can embrace solar power and enjoy incredible advantages. Let’s look at a few examples of various industries and how they can tap into the benefits of solar energy.
Agriculture
The agriculture industry, being quite extensive, offers numerous opportunities for adopting solar power. Whether you’re involved in various agricultural operations, the wide variety of available space makes installing solar panels for agricultural purposes highly effective. The advantage lies in installing multiple panels simultaneously, allowing for significant energy production. This not only contributes to cost savings but also provides the opportunity to reinvest those savings to grow and expand your agricultural business.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities rely heavily on electricity to power large machinery; sourcing this energy from the grid can be costly. Opting for solar power presents a cost-effective alternative, enabling substantial savings for these facilities. Beyond the financial benefits, solar energy ensures a stable power supply, safeguarding machinery from potential losses caused by power fluctuations. Making the switch to solar not only supports the bottom line but also enhances the reliability and safety of the manufacturing process.
Factories And Warehouses
Large factories and warehouses demand lots of electricity. These vast buildings require more energy for lighting, temperature control, and industrial equipment. This high energy use raises running costs.
Many companies install solar panels on factory and warehouse roofs to save energy expenditures. Your factory can generate free power by installing a solar system.
CAN WAREHOUSE RUN ON SOLAR POWER?
Warehouses and factories can use solar power! Switching to solar may benefit these institutions. Here are some warehouse solar panel advantages.
Warehouses, especially those with operations like cold storage or food preservation, often demand significant energy due to the need for HVAC equipment. The expansive roof spaces of these buildings, absorbing heat from the sun, further contribute to elevated interior temperatures, requiring substantial energy for cooling.
Running warehouse operations typically involves substantial energy costs, given the fluctuations in diesel and electricity prices. This is where solar systems play a crucial role. Solar energy, being sustainable, reliable, and convenient, emerges as an ideal energy source for commercial structures like warehouses.
Solar power is more than capable of meeting the energy demands of warehouses, powering various operations such as lighting, air conditioning, cooling and heating, refrigeration, and machinery. The ample roof space of warehouses makes them well-suited for large-scale solar installations, allowing businesses to harness renewable energy effectively and contribute to cost savings and environmental sustainability.
How Much Do Industrial Solar Panels Cost?
Every business or industry needs to weigh the pros and cons of moving to solar power. If the price of solar power is too high, companies might be unable to use it.
Businesses can figure out how much they might save by moving to solar power by finding out how much industrial solar power costs. Solar power may be cheaper than regular energy, saving you a lot of money in the long run.
Also, governments often give money to help pay for the installation of solar power systems, and the price of solar power can affect how much help companies may get from the government. Businesses can determine what rebates and tax credits they might get by choosing how much solar power costs.
Before tax credits and rebates, business solar panels usually cost around $2.87 per watt, though prices range from $2.50 to $3.22 per watt. However, this cost can go up or down, depending on several things.
What are the Advantages of Industrial Solar Energy Systems?
Self Sufficiency
One of the biggest problems for big businesses is that they have to get their gas from the grid. Grid energy is only sometimes the best choice for many reasons. Firms like these need much energy; grid power is only sometimes. Because of this, if the country’s economy is unstable, it might change the price of grid energy.
When this happens, it can be hard to adapt to changes in the cost of energy. Have a power source that is separate from the power grid. This is the best way out. Lots of room can be used to make electricity for your business if you know how to do it right.
Overhead Costs
Businesses can lose a lot of money because of overhead costs. Putting money into solar power will help you cut your costs. The cost of electricity bills can be very high, so people should avoid them as much as possible. After your business starts making its electricity, you won’t have to pay any more.
Expansion
You can start thinking about growth when you have extra cash and solar power. If you want to ensure you have enough energy, industrial solar systems are a great way to do it. Now, you can focus on other things. Putting up solar panels will significantly increase your chances of growing your business and taking it to the next level.
Uninterrupted Production
When it comes to grid electricity, big businesses lose a lot. When the power goes out, you might lose time and money. As one of these more prominent companies, you must ensure that your work keeps going even when the power goes out. With solar power, you’ll have the tools to not only keep up your production levels but also keep them steady.
Environmental Benefits
Grid electricity is generated from fossil fuels. This process releases atmospheric pollutants such as carbon dioxide, posing health and environmental risks. According to the EPA, electricity production emits the second-most greenhouse gasses, which cause climate change.
Solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. This sustainable energy source will never run out. Solar panels on warehouse or factory roofs show corporate social responsibility and reduce carbon emissions.
Less Maintenance
A solar system only needs a little care to stay in good shape. Your solar panels will last many years if you clean them a few times yearly.
Reliability
Most solar energy systems last between 25 and 30 years, giving you years of reliable power. They are also less likely to get damaged by normal wear and tear since they don’t have any working parts. So, it would help if you didn’t have to worry about many or any fixes.
What To Consider When Selecting An Industrial Solar Power Plant?
Now that you’re convinced about the benefits of transitioning to industrial solar power, here are key factors to consider when making this investment:
- Annual Maintenance Charges
- Operation & Maintenance (O&M)
- Payback Period
- Performance Ratio
- Rating of Inverter
- Solar Plant Monitoring System
- Solar Plant’s Capacity
- Type of Cable
- Unit Nominal Power of Solar Cell
For personalized advice, consult with your solar provider. They will analyze your industry’s requirements and recommend a system tailored to your needs. As more businesses embrace solar power, connecting with experienced experts is important to enhance operations and contribute to a sustainable future.
How Solar Earth Can Help
Solar Earth Inc specializes in installing solar panels for companies that make things. We’ll make a system that meets your needs and install it on time and budget. Our engineers and workers will do a great job installing a ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar system to save your warehouse or factory money and help the environment.