If you run your own company, you may often feel flustered with the bills that pile up throughout the year. Today, more and more businesses are turning to solar power as a way to cut down costs and contribute to clean energy initiatives.
With October, which is Energy Awareness Month, approaching, it’s the perfect time to start researching solar power and find out if it’s a viable option for your company. For Texas business owners, you should note that Texas ranks first place among U.S. states for solar energy potential and seventh for installed solar capacity, according to the Texas Solar Energy Society.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Solar energy creation relies on the sunlight reflecting on a solar cell. When photons from the sun reach a solar cell (made of semiconductors), the electrons split from the atoms. Then electrons flow through the circuit of the solar panel and generate electricity. The solar cells collect the energy and convert them to DC or direct electricity, and an inverter converts it to AC or alternating current for usage.
Solar thermal power, which also uses the sun as energy source, specifically uses the sunlight to heat a fluid and create high pressure due to steam resulted.
What Can Solar Power Do For Your Business?
There are plenty of benefits for your office if you switch to solar power today.
It’s Cost-Effective for New Additions
In the workplace, you often have to make regular purchases, whether it’s a new lamp, a new computer, a new heater, or new appliances. Rather than worrying about electricity costs, solar panels can operate these additions free of additional charge. Although the initial cost may be expensive, you can see a significant change in bills after some time.
Solar Backups
You may be wondering what happens to your workspace when you have to work after dark when the sun has set. Well, if you generate sufficient power throughout the day, you can store the excess in solar batteries and use it at night too. If you generate enough excess, you can also consider making money by selling it to the electricity grid.
Eco-friendly Reputation
Many companies turn to sustainable practices because consumers are looking for brands that are making a change. Not only will you be reducing pollution and boosting sustainability, but your clients or peers will respect you for using eco-friendly tools and practices.
Gain a LEED Certificate
The U.S. Green Building Council awards the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate to businesses that follow the best green practices and strategies. You can gain different certification levels depending on the impact of your changes and become a go-to green figure in your industry.
Attainable ROI
Although solar power systems or solar panels might be expensive to install, you can expect to save in the long run since you aren’t paying for electricity. You can also gain a solar tax credit.
How to Get Started?
The first thing to do is to look into your options for solar panels and understand what suits you best.
- Monocrystalline – These are more efficient, durable, modern, and they are also aesthetically pleasing. However, they do cost a bit more than the other options.
- Polycrystalline – Polycrystalline solar panels have lower costs but are less efficient compared to the monocrystalline panels.
- Thin-film – These solar panels are aesthetically-pleasing, flexible, light-weight, and, therefore, portable. However, they offer the lowest efficiency and performance compared to others.
If you’re looking for solar energy for offices near Dallas, Texas, the first thing you need to do is research. Look online for potential solar power suppliers, read their reviews, and ask around in your office or family or friends.
Maintaining Solar Panels
There is minimal maintenance required for your solar panels. They can last for decades without any care, apart from removing the usual debris and snow.
The only thing you will need to replace a few times throughout the system’s lifespan is the inverter. The inverter will more than likely come with a five to 10-year warranty, and you may need to replace it at some point in time.
Consider What’s Best For Your Office
If you want to cut down on high electricity costs, solar energy may be the right choice. Moreover, not only does it help provide free electricity for your office, but it also contributes to sustainability and a green reputation.
If you run a business in the sunny state of Texas, you may as well make use of the state’s abundant natural resource.
