Commercial Solar Solutions

The key characteristics in a good commercial solar site include a roof or land unshaded by trees, buildings, or other obstructions, 3-phase electricity on site, and local grid interconnection capacity. For rooftop solar the roof should have a minimum of 100,000 square feet of available space and meet certain engineering considerations that we can review with you. For groundmount solar – a minimum five acres with electric access and free of wetlands, easements, ROWs, or other encumbrances.

Our team will discuss your energy needs and usage, goals, and site specifics with you. And if possible, complete a site tour. We will then provide a recommendation for the best options based on an initial assessment. After an agreement is in place, the team will begin development, design, and permitting. Once complete, we will construct and interconnect the system. Operation and maintenance of the system is included for solar PPAs and leases and is available for systems purchased directly.

How much solar you will need is entirely dependent on how much energy your site uses. Most sites will offset a portion of their energy use, typically 40-80% with solar. Few are 100% solar. Variables such as utility requirements, added energy storage, optimizing system economics for clients, production due to weather, and power outages all factor into going 100% solar. Our team will help you find the best solution for your site(s), optimizing for decarbonized energy use and generating financial benefits.

We will ask for the site address and recent utility bills. Available electrical and structural drawings, as well as a site visit, will help us complete an energy analysis in order to provide the best solar and energy storage options for the site.

Energy storage solutions pair well with solar. And while the cost of commercial energy storage is dropping rapidly, it can be an added expense. Sites with high demand charges generally maximize the value of storage. Adding storage can also make sense for those in areas with frequent grid reliability issues such as brown or blackouts.

Yes. Our team often works with clients to plan for multiple sites across the U.S. and the globe, providing a long-term roadmap considering jurisdictions, current and upcoming legislation, utility pricing, and needed site improvements among other factors.

With a solar PPA (power purchase agreement), our team designs, installs, owns, and operates the solar system while your organization only pays for the energy the solar system produces over a set period of time, usually at below utility rates.

Federal and local tax credits and incentives go to the owner of the solar system. If you choose to purchase the system outright (build and transfer) you will receive them. If you choose a solar PPA or a solar lease, we will be the owner of the system.

In most cases, if you have established a solar PPA or solar lease for community solar, the agreement may be assigned to the new owner for the remainder of the term.

Most projects take between 6-12 months from initial agreement to commissioning and utility permission to operate. Actual time spent on site can vary from 1-4 months depending on the size of the solar array. Utility interconnection queues are the primary variable impacting project timeline.

Ideally, install a solar array at the same time as you re-roof the facility. In this way any required penetrations to the roof membrane will be done by your preferred, manufacturer-certified roofer. Roofing professionals need to be certified by the manufacturer for warranty clarity. Our team will install slipsheets that match your current roof under all locations where our material touches your roof.

Generally, roofs that are less than five years old are excellent choices for solar. For roofs that are close to the end of their useful life, we can help analyze the economic benefits of moving up the roof replacement timeframe to match the solar installation. We also work side by side with your certified roofer to investigate any roof issues while the array is in place.

Ideally, install a solar array at the same time as you re-roof the facility. In this way any required penetrations to the roof membrane will be done by your preferred, manufacturer-certified roofer. Roofing professionals need to be certified by the manufacturer for warranty clarity. Our team will install slipsheets that match your current roof under all locations where our material touches your roof.

Generally, roofs that are less than five years old are excellent choices for solar. For roofs that are close to the end of their useful life, we can help analyze the economic benefits of moving up the roof replacement timeframe to match the solar installation. We also work side by side with your certified roofer to investigate any roof issues while the array is in place.

Yes, our team will coordinate with all zoning and permitting offices, utilities, AHJs, fire marshals, building inspectors, and other governing bodies as needed for delivery of the project.

Before construction, we will work with your site manager to prepare everything for the construction phase; everything from site access, safety briefings, parking, equipment staging, and scheduling. In general, there will be minimal to no disruption to your site operations throughout the construction period. The utility will require a brief shutdown at the end of the construction phase, which can be scheduled in advance around your site needs.

With a PPA or lease, our team will operate and maintain the system to keep it running in peak condition. If you purchase the system, we are available to perform the operation and maintenance of the solar array and batteries and manage all equipment warranties.

What happens at the end of the solar PPA or lease is determined by the agreement. The most common arrangements include removal of the array at the end of term or negotiations for a mutually satisfactory extension to the agreement.