Know How to Talk With Commercial Clients About Solar + Storage
Commercial solar systems present highly profitable opportunities for solar installers because these projects are large in scope and complex in arrangement. Today, more commercial entities than ever are embracing renewable energy. Whether for cutting costs, streamlining operations, or improving public image, their reasons for going solar aren’t important, the fact that they are breaking away from grid dependence is.
If you are trying to break into the commercial solar and storage market, then here’s what you need to know about the basics of this highly attractive and competitive sector of the solar market.
Differences Between Residential and Commercial Solar Panels
While the basic premises of residential and commercial solar are pretty much the same, there are certain differences between the two regarding the solar panels that are used in their systems.
For starters, commercial solar panels are slightly more efficient than residential solar panels by about two percent. The increase in energy is attributed to the fact that commercial solar panels are larger than residential solar panels. A residential solar panel typically has 72 cells contained within its 65-inch by 39-inch frame; whereas a commercial solar panel typically has 96 cells and is 78 inches by 39 inches.
Unlike residential roofs, commercial roofs tend to be flat. This makes for a much easier installation process, although both installations use the same bolted racking system. And while a residential solar system can be installed in as quickly as one or two days, it can take up to a month to complete a commercial installation.
Commercial Solar Profitability
Solar panels are an investment, even when it’s a commercial entity purchasing them. After all, no company is in the business of making poor financial decisions where their investments don’t pay off. In terms of commercial solar, a business can expect an average ROI of roughly 12% thanks to the increase in property value solar brings to the table.
Most financial experts agree that a long-term stock investment should provide about a 10% ROI, so with solar providing an ROI of up to 2% greater than that, it is easily one of the most profitable investments a company could make.
Best Type of Solar Panels and Storage Options for Commercial Solar Projects
Monocrystalline solar panels are the best type to use for most commercial solar projects because this type of panel is more efficient than polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels deliver up to 22% efficiency, compared to a maximum of 17% for polycrystalline panels.
Battery storage systems for commercial are considerably larger than what is used in a residential installation. Commercial battery storage systems also tend to be kept in large cabinets located on the outside of the building. While not every commercial solar client may want to invest in battery storage, it is important to discuss all the benefits that solar batteries can provide their business, including:
- Lowers a company’s kWh energy costs and reduces its consumption from the grid
- Reduces kW demand charges by storing renewable energy in batteries and using it at grid peak price times
- Reduces a company’s carbon footprint to help it meet sustainability goals, and strengthening its environmental and corporate social responsibility credentials by offsetting grid consumption with renewable energy
- Frees up cash flow to reinvest into the organization or to help support local goals
- Improves budget stability by providing a company with predictable electricity costs and accurate forecasting of operating expenses
- Generates revenue by selling excess renewable energy back to the grid through programs like net metering or by placing batteries in Demand Response markets
- Monetizes existing infrastructure by transforming a company’s roof, ground space, or parking lot into a source of on-site renewable energy generation
Break Into the Commercial Solar Market with Leads from RGR Marketing
Commercial solar projects can provide a solar installer with an excellent revenue stream because it offers nearly unlimited potential for growth. These are large-scale projects that can take a month or longer to complete, making them highly prized among solar companies trying to gain a foothold in this market.
At RGR Marketing, we can provide your solar company with the commercial solar leads it needs to break into the market. Our leads are validated and scrubbed to remove any dead leads or incomplete or duplicate contact information before you receive them, so you can get right to work contacting local commercial decision makers and building your client list.
If you want to take advantage of everything that comes with working in commercial solar, put your trust in the lead generation firm that has more than 20 years of experience serving the solar industry. Partner with RGR Marketing and discover the difference our commercial solar leads can make in your success.
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