Go solar, save money and environment

Takaendesa Denhere

Many businesses throughout the world are resorting to alternative sources of energy due to the continuous increase of demand for electric power, the significantly high price of oil and the growing concern for the environment.

The widely-used existing sources of energy are becoming increasingly expensive as they are being depleted, but solar is a plentiful, reliable, and renewable energy source. Among all the energy sources that are available, solar energy is the most sustainable choice and one that can be used in various applications.

As a responsible person, one can help protect the environment by producing clean solar energy. It helps decrease the amount of fossil fuels we utilise, thereby decreasing pollutants causing global warming.

Adding a solar power generating system is a responsible business decision that can make you feel good about preserving the environment while also saving some money.

Commercial solar systems are solar systems that are installed for commercial use. Factories, offices and other commercial buildings can be powered by the sun. These systems come with numerous advantages that will increase the profits of any company, organisation or institution that adopts solar energy.

In the Sub-Saharan Africa, the problem of energy deficit is real, yet energy is a necessity.

What is the solution then? Go solar! All you need is the solar system to manufacture your own power free of charge. Commercial solar reduces operating costs through a reduction or elimination of the electricity bill.

For those businesses with high electric bills due to heating water such as Laundromats, solar thermal power can heat the water at a fraction of the current cost.

Installing a solar power system is equivalent to prepaying for 40 years of power at a fraction of the cost you are currently paying. Businesses have seen electricity rates increase over the last five years, and this trend is likely to continue. This affects the viability of the business and therefore has to be addressed.

Solar technology has long-term reliability and low maintenance costs for businesses.

Photovoltaic cells were originally developed for use in space, where repair is extremely expensive, if not impossible. Solar still powers nearly every satellite circling the earth because it operates reliably for long periods of time with virtually no maintenance. Therefore once you install your solar power system, it requires little or no maintenance (especially if no batteries are used) and will provide clean energy for 25 to 40 years. For the businesses, this can be a way to increase profits. The world is changing fast, there are a growing number of consumers who make their buying decisions based on the perceived environmental responsibility of the vendor. Green credentials can be significant and powerful – and solar power is a highly visible and measurable commitment to the environment.

Increasingly, companies are now using their green credentials as a competitive tool when responding to tenders, and bidding for contracts. Being a green business can not only reduce your operating costs, but can be a great source of public relations and a good marketing tool.

Collective efforts by businesses in generating electricity from the sun means less consumption of fossil fuels, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emission. Every kilowatt of solar power generated can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than two tonnes per annum. This provides a measurable benefit to the global reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gas reduction figures can also be promoted by the company on its website, in its corporate or promotional marketing material and external communications as a marketing tool.

A good number of commercial businesses are good candidates for solar energy. Commercial buildings can handle large solar systems. When Bentley Motors was seeking new ways to cut their emissions and tackle the problem of rising energy costs. Their factory in Crewe had 3,45 hectares of unused roof space facing 20 degrees south – ideal for generating solar power. A solar company was commissioned to install over 20 000 solar panels on Bentley’s factory roof, creating probably the largest UK solar rooftop array. The roof top systems involve laying out an array of solar panels on the roof. They are found in different types – flat, standing seam or sloped. Customised types can be mounted depending on the complexity of the roof. Roof top systems are preferable as they are safe from vandalism. After all, because their configuration ensures that they receive huge amounts of energy from the sun compared.

However, if you have plenty of land but no roof space, the ground mount is equally good. In this option, a frame is built for your solar cells to tilt them up to an optimal angle. The frame can be built out of galvanized steel or aluminum and is attached to the ground. In many cases the frame will be a rigid “half-A” structure.

A carport solar system is the third option and is now being commonly used worldwide. It is one of the fastest growing trends in the photovoltaic market. This is the use of carports as a means to support a PV system. The system protects vehicles from the sun’s rays while also generating clean solar energy. These can be built around parking lots where there are no trees and tall buildings.

Solar carports are popping up at a rapid rate at international universities, colleges, schools and business complexes.

Takaendesa Denhere is an independent researcher and writer on renewable energy. For feedback contact him on his email: [email protected]