A photovoltaic system is a device that converts energy particles from the sunlight also known as photons into electricity. This electricity is then used to power the building it is installed in. These buildings can be both commercial and residential.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Photovoltaic System
If you are thinking about installing a photovoltaic system for your business, then you are making the right choice. There are several benefits you can get if you do so. They are very affordable and can help you save a lot of money on energy costs among other benefits. However, you need to choose the right photovoltaic system to make the most out of t.
A growing business can benefit greatly from a photovoltaic system given that they make the right choice. Here are some things to consider when choosing a photovoltaic system for your business:
Efficiency
The most important thing to consider when buying a photovoltaic system is the efficiency it can give you. Since this system is to be installed on your roof, you will be losing a big amount of space to it. As you are already making the compromise on space, the least you can ensure is that the Photovoltaic system you install is the most efficient option out there.
To increase the efficiency of your Photovoltaic systems, you need to ensure that you take other energy-conservation measures so that they work to their full potential. If you get a highly efficient system, you might be able to save space on your roof. Your office building might not have a lot of space on the roof which is why it is best to find a Photovoltaic system that is both efficient and does not take up a lot of space.
Warranty
Since this is a big investment it is very important to have a good warranty. When getting the warranty, you need to be cautious and only get the system that offers a warranty in the area you reside. Your photovoltaic system manufacturer can be an international company and have no presence locally. If that is the case, you won’t be able to make the most of the warranty you get.
This is why when you buy the photovoltaic system, you must check if the company has any service centers and offices in the city you live in. If they do not have any local presence, you won’t be able to claim the warranty. You can typically get 25-30 years of warranty for faults and rates of degradation depending on the model you get.
In most cases, if you get the higher quality panels, they will degrade to 90% of their power output and then another 10% after 25 years. The photovoltaic system you buy should give you this guarantee as it can help you get a replacement if the system does not live up to its guarantee.
There are different types of warranties such as:
Solar Panel Warranty
This warranty covers the minimum power output you will get throughout the validity of the warranty and it should be in accordance with the industry standards.
Installation Warranty
The installation warranty covers the labor and the act of installation. You can claim this warranty if the photovoltaic system is not installed properly. It would be best to ask the company you buy from as to what installation warranties they provide.
Inverter Warranty
The inverter warranty varies from company to company. However, there are some industry standards such as material warranties, manufacturing defaults and the flaws. It is also worth keeping in mind that you cannot expect your inverter warranty to give you wear and tear warranties.
Manufacturer’s Strength
Having a high warranty is of no worth if the manufacturer shuts down. A warranty typically lasts for 25-30 years which is a very long time. Therefore, you must ensure that the manufacturer is financially strong enough to pull through the years without shutting down.
You must take the financial stability of the manufacturer in account when you buy a photovoltaic system. You can take a look at the grading system available and see what the company you are interested in ranks. The rating starts from 1 which is the highest ranking and means that the manufacturer is good enough financially. The grading is not based on the quality of the panel so you can’t rely on the grading system for the quality.
Price
If you are a growing business that is in its initial stages, then the price point must be a big concern for you. As a commercial entity, you might rely on different budgetary factors. This is why it is crucial for to find the photovoltaic system that fits your budget. However, the value for money of a photovoltaic dictates factors such as life of the system, the amount of electricity it will produce both in the short and long term.
The value for money also includes the amount you will be able to save on your bill with an efficient photovoltaic system. The price is different for different photovoltaic systems and you can find prices according to the features you find like the size of the panel, the materials used to make it and certifications.
It is indeed very important to consider the price of the photovoltaic system, but there are other more important factors to consider as it is a massive investment and can last you for up to 30 years. Threfore, it would be best to increase your budget to get a higher quality photovoltaic system.
Agreements
Most small businesses hesitate in getting photovoltaic systems as they believe for them to be uber costly. However, commercial businesses have different financing options, making the systems more affordable. Leasing, grants and other agreements are some feasible options.
The PPA is a solar power purchase agreement that allows a developer to handle the arrangements up till the installation. It is usually on the basis of little to no cost and you have to sign the agreement and pay bills for the photovoltaic system.
Keeping the above-mentioned factors in mind can help you make the right selection. Key takeaways are that you shouldn’t compromise on the quality of the inverter for the price. It may be difficult to expand your budget being the owner of a small commercial business but it is definitely worth it! The returns you will get on your photovoltaic system are much more than the initial investment you will make.
Look around and do your research. It is always best to shop around and only settle for the best options.
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