When it comes to energy solutions, businesses need to consider a number of factors when choosing how they access energy. Cost is always a hugely important consideration, and the most cost-effective solution is often the most attractive. However, reliability is also paramount, with a business’s entire operation often hinging on unbroken access to power. Increasingly, environmental impact is also a significant part of any decision relating to energy access, so the cleaner the energy source, the better.

But the benefits don’t end there. Read on to learn more about industrial solar energy systems’ advantages for business.

Industrial solar energy systems’ advantages for business

Investing in solar can seem like a big decision when it’s possible to simply use power from the main grid. However, there are several significant advantages for businesses that embrace solar.

1. Tax credits and rebates

Financial incentives are always going to be an attractive prospect for businesses. To encourage more people and businesses to adopt solar power, many governments around the world offer a range of tax incentives. For example, in the US, the Federal Solar Tax Credit rewards businesses that install solar panels with up to 26% of the value in the form of a tax credit.

Solar energy is already cost-effective, with most systems eventually paying for themselves, but the tax incentives make them even more worth the investment. See our guide on how to calculate the return on investment for a solar system for more information about the ROI of solar panels.

2. Reduction in operating costs

Simply put, solar energy can be cheap. Of course, there are some significant initial costs for setup and installation, but the systems usually require very little maintenance and can operate for years, providing you with almost free energy every time the sun shines.

In addition, modern systems that involve batteries can reduce energy costs even further by providing more stable power, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Explore our guide on smart energy solutions to unreliable weather to learn more about maximizing your solar output.

As energy is often one of the greatest costs for businesses, the low price of solar energy can significantly reduce operating costs for many businesses.

3. Reduced carbon footprint

Clean energy practices and sustainability for businesses are huge topics of interest today, all over the world. Climate change as a result of fossil fuels is a reality that is already having an impact on people and businesses everywhere, and so it’s natural that the focus is turning on how businesses will do their part.

Many would argue that companies have a social responsibility to reduce their carbon footprints. But beyond ethical arguments, the fact is that sustainability is good for business. Stakeholders of all kinds now want to see businesses acting in a more sustainable way, from the materials they use to the fuels they burn, and switching to renewable energy sources like solar is one of the simplest and most effective ways to meet this demand.

4. Brand reputation

This leads us to another point on the list of commercial solar benefits for businesses willing to invest in solar energy: reputation. Customers from across the social strata are now increasingly concerned about the environment and carbon emissions, and they’re voting with their wallets, choosing to work with businesses that can demonstrate their efforts to become more sustainable.

Solar is a great way to indicate that your business is committed to reducing its environmental impact, so making the switch to solar energy can have a direct effect on your reputation.

5. Other financial incentives

In many parts of the world, there are a range of financial incentives available to businesses willing to invest in solar energy. Unlike the tax credits and rebates we’ve already mentioned, some of these incentives involve actual payments made directly to companies that switch to solar power.

6. More reliable access to energy

Something that many people aren’t aware of is the reliability that solar energy can provide. The main grid is, clearly, reliable enough most of the time. However, power cuts are inevitable, and things like fires, natural disasters, and extreme weather events can make them even more likely. For some businesses, such power outages can be a complete disaster.

And reliability isn’t only about actual access to power, but also price. As we’ve seen in recent months, fossil fuel-based energy prices can fluctuate wildly and unpredictably, which can hit businesses hard or even drive them into bankruptcy.

Solar energy can provide a very reliable energy supply. Hybrid systems using specialized hybrid inverters, in particular, enable businesses to dynamically switch between grid, solar, battery, and generator-based energy depending on the situation and requirements at a given time.

7. Low maintenance

Many businesses are reluctant to switch to solar energy due to the perceived inconvenience of having to install and maintain new equipment. However, setup causes minimal disruption to operations and, once installed, solar systems require little to no maintenance, often for years at a time. In a microinverter system, each module runs independently of the others, and the entire system can be monitored remotely. For example, a Hoymiles microinverter system is monitored using our S-Miles Cloud platform.

8. Improved reputation amongst employees

Customer concerns about sustainability are obviously important for any business. But reputation among employees is equally, if not more important. If your workers don’t see you as an ethical business and instead feel that your practices are at odds with their beliefs, they’re unlikely to be motivated and may even choose to leave the company.

Using sustainable energy like solar is an excellent way to show your employees that you’re doing everything you can to be a socially responsible, sustainable employer, and this should help to inspire loyalty.

9. Support for the local economy

The solar industry is booming, but many installers are still small and medium-scale locally owned businesses. When you purchase and install a solar system for your business using local suppliers, you are directly contributing to the local economy, supporting local jobs, and further encouraging the growth of this sustainable, innovative industry in your area.

10. Value added to your business and assets

Having a solar panel system installed on your premises can immediately add value to your business. If you ever come to sell your company, it can prove a great selling point, making your business and assets more desirable. See how Hoymiles helps business owners here.

Hoymiles: Clean, open energy for all

Hoymiles offers a wide selection of commercial solar products to help businesses start benefiting from solar energy. Our solutions can help you save money, improve the reliability of your energy supply, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Get in touch today to learn more about our commercial solar solutions and how they could benefit you.