Can small businesses benefit from solar energy?
When many people think about the idea of businesses using solar power, they believe that this is something that can only be effective on a large scale. It is easy to assume that you need to have a large-scale solar panel operation for it to be worthwhile for a business to invest in solar technology - but this is not necessarily the case.
Thanks to recent upgrades in the effectiveness of solar panels, as well as the continued reduction in their cost, a small business can actually benefit from a relatively modest solar installation, such as one that you might see on a residential property.
As long as your business has the space to put solar panels either on the roof or on a floor-level array, it can benefit from solar power. Here we take a closer look at the advantages of solar power for SMEs.
Planning for your solar panel installation
Of course, it has never been easier to have solar panels installed, as working with experts can make this process fast and simple. You might not be aware, for example, that panels can be attached to flat or pitched rooves, as well as having the option of floor-level installations.
It is important for small businesses to make sure that they have put the initial work in place to allow the installation to go as simply as possible. This can include having asbestos surveys carried out on the roof to ensure that there is no dangerous material that could be disturbed or damaged.
Additionally, remember that the direction of the property can have a big effect on the amount of solar power that can be collected. South-facing properties are best, followed by east and west - north-facing properties may have trouble getting enough sunlight to make solar panel installations worthwhile.
Strong return on investment
One of the best reasons for small businesses to consider having solar panels installed is the fact that they actually offer a relatively strong return on investment. However, understanding this can be looking beyond the immediately obvious. For example, it has been suggested that solar panels take in excess of 25 years to ‘pay for themselves’.
However, this doesn’t take into account some of the benefits such as the fact that solar panels raise the value of the property and that they can have other tertiary advantages such as showcasing the green credentials of your company.
Final thoughts
With the costs of solar panels coming down and more efficient models than ever coming to the market, now could be the ideal for smaller businesses to invest in solar installation. As well as providing free power, they can actually have a positive overall impact on your company image.
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