If your business is thinking about switching to solar energy, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of how solar energy works before moving forward. In this post, we’ll clarify exactly how solar panels work, the benefits of transitioning to solar, and solar panel maintenance requirements.
How Commercial Solar Panels Work
On the simplest level, commercial solar panels work by converting solar energy into a usable electrical current. On a deeper level, solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells have two layers of semiconductor material made from silicon crystals. Alone, silicon is not a great conductor of electricity, but when you add specific impurities such as boron and phosphorus, an electrical current is created.
When sunlight enters the solar cell, this current knocks electrons loose and provides a path for them to follow. The electrons are generally conducted through thin wires on the top layer of the cell. From there, the direct current (DC) of the electrons is converted to an alternating current (AC) by an inverter so the current can be used to power your facility. Because each cell generates a small amount of electricity, they’re conjoined into groups of modules, panels, or arrays to generate usable amounts of power.
The Benefits of Transitioning to Solar Energy
The benefits of deploying a solar energy system at your facility include:
A Full Return on Investment
Solar energy systems are designed to deliver a full return on your investment. By absorbing all or some of your facility’s day-to-day energy consumption, you can enjoy lower utility bills or no energy bills at all. Many businesses experience a full ROI in three years or less. These cost savings go directly back into your pocket, allowing you to spend that money on growing your business. Once your system has been paid in full, the rest is positive cash flow.
Leveraging Incentives
With the solar industry still a blossoming sector, now is the time to take advantage of tax breaks, incentives, and rebate programs by going solar. With flexible financing options, you can deploy a solar solution for less than you thought possible. Depending on where you live, you may even be able to use your solar energy system to receive energy credits and generate positive cash flow, speeding up your ROI timeline.
Hedge Against Energy Fluctuations
Today’s energy markets are more unpredictable than ever. By tapping into solar energy as your renewable energy source, your organization can hedge against rising energy costs. With solar energy, all you pay for is the cost of your system; no more, no less. That makes budgeting energy expenses all the more predictable while avoiding the risk of surprise monthly costs. At the same time, today’s solar systems are designed to last 20 to 25 years for a long-term energy solution.
Solar Panel Maintenance
One of the most significant benefits of a solar energy system is they require little to no maintenance. Other than an annual inspection and occasionally wiping the panels off if they get dirty, no maintenance is necessary.
Your Solar Energy Experts
If you’re ready to take the next step to a brighter future by deploying a solar energy system at your facility, contact the experts at C.I. Services today. We specialize in everything from commercial solar installations to solar systems, and we’ve already helped dozens of businesses adopt a renewable energy platform. Our team is ready to help you next.