Installation of Commercial Solar Panel Systems

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) property owners can reap the benefits of installing solar panels on commercial rooftops or as ground-mounted systems on campuses. Many companies possess large manufacturing facilities and spacious flat roof spaces – ideal locations for generating clean, cost-effective solar energy.

Understanding Commercial Solar Panel Systems

Most commercial and industrial solar installations are much larger than typical residential solar panel systems. While the average size of residential solar panel systems hovers around 8 kilowatts (kW), commercial solar panel systems can scale up to several megawatts (MW), depending on the facility's power requirements.

Commercial solar panel systems are considered "distributed generation," meaning the energy generated by the system is utilized at or near the point of generation. Rooftop or ground-mounted residential solar and other distributed generation projects typically interconnect with the local grid. This enables commercial property owners to take advantage of net metering, a policy allowing distributed generation customers to send unused electricity back to the grid in exchange for credit on their electricity bills.

One of the primary reasons for installing industrial or commercial solar panel systems is the economic benefit. Offsetting a portion or all of a factory's or small business's electricity consumption with solar can lead to reduced electricity bills from day one. Additionally, commercial solar panel systems can operate effectively for over 30 years, allowing your business to generate electricity from their panels for free once you've recouped the initial investment in the system.

What Commercial or Industrial Solar Installations Look Like

Solar panels used for commercial and industrial-scale installations are typically larger than residential panels. Large commercial solar installations often utilize 96 panels or more, meaning each panel consists of 96 or more individual solar photovoltaic cells. In contrast, typical residential solar panels have only 60 or 72 cells.

C&I projects typically offer various installation options, ranging from rooftop spaces on factories to solar carports in parking lots or large ground-mounted arrays. Unlike most rooftop systems, industrial or commercial solar panel systems often include complex racking systems to elevate and tilt the panels. Some commercial panel arrays even employ tracking-capable mounts, allowing the panels to orient themselves towards different directions throughout the day – aiding in increasing the amount of direct sunlight on the panels (and maximizing electricity generation).

By understanding the nature and benefits of commercial solar panel systems, businesses can make informed decisions about integrating solar energy into their operations, paving the way for sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions.