Operating a business regardless of it size costs money. One of the biggest expenses is for heating and lighting. These are costs that continue to climb and eat up a chunk of any business owner’s profits. The worst thing about heating and lighting costs is they spiral upwards not in the other direction. Additionally, whether you or not you believe in global warming many of the power sources used in our public utilities leave a huge carbon footprint to make the energy we use in Alberta.
One source of constant energy that’s always available is the power of the sun. The use of solar power for commercial businesses is increasing throughout North America and is also becoming prevalent in Calgary. There’s a good reason for this because Alberta just happens to be the sunniest province in Canada with more per capita hours of sunlight than anywhere else. Many newer buildings, both publicly built and commercial enterprises are using both land and rooftops to capitalize on the advantages offered by solar power.
The new wave of solar powered resources can be even more energy efficient than the power you get off the grid. Also, the advances in high technical components and strength in composite materials makes for long lasting and durable products. Solar power components first appeared in the 1950’s and some of these are still operating today. They are designed to stand up to strong wind forces and have been able to withstand some very powerful hailstorms.
Commercial solar power systems can be set up for either grid connected sites or those commercial enterprises in remote areas. Solar panel operations are relatively easy to install and very simple to maintain. They can be set relative to specific locations in your business premise that require the power so there are less transmission lines used and less power seepage from these lines which makes the system more energy efficient.
The economic advantages can be felt over time. This will be especially true as the cost of using power from the public grid system becomes even more expensive over the years. Any cost you incur for the installation of the system will be a constant and not subject to the vagaries of commodity prices as they relate to power generators which use gas powered or coal power plants.
Another economic advantage to having a commercial solar power system is that not only will it reduce your dependence on the existing grid system but if you produce a surplus of power, this can be sold back to the grid supplier. Commercial solar suppliers provide a KWh meter which is bi-directional and shows you how much power you are using from the grid and how much energy is being credited back to the grid.
The impact on the environment is also self explanatory. Simply put, there is no pollution inherent in the use of solar energy and the carbon footprint to produce solar panels and components is much less than the continued use of power generated from the grid. Another advantage that can be derived is to advertise you business’s use of solar power as a sales enhancement for your business to attract customers or clients who are conservationist in both spirit and in application.
To properly consider using solar power for your business, you will need to consult with established companies who specialize in commercial solar power applications.
Photo by AnnaS23
