How Businesses Can Reduce Peak-Time Electricity Costs with Solar

Many companies, such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, commercial facilities and hospitality businesses, have an incredibly high daytime and evening electricity demand, which can make it difficult to manage energy-related outgoings.

Energy prices are at an all-time high. Not only that, but they can be incredibly volatile too, making it harder to forecast expenses. To combat this, many energy-intensive businesses are installing commercial solar panels to make better use of existing space and generate on-site electricity during the day when their demand for electricity is at its highest. 

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how businesses are reducing peak-time electricity costs with solar. 

Offsetting Electricity Used During Working Hours

Warehouses, manufacturing plants, and food production businesses typically have high energy demands and operate during the day. This makes them an ideal candidate for solar power, as the electricity generated can be used to power HVAC systems, lighting, refrigeration, and machinery on-site, reducing the amount of electricity that needs to be purchased from the grid. 

These daytime-heavy businesses can also achieve a higher level of solar self-consumption than sites with a greater evening demand. By using more of the electricity generated on-site, they can reduce the amount of power that gets exported back to the grid, lower their reliance on grid-purchased electricity, and make better use of their solar investment. 

Using Battery Storage Alongside Solar to Fuel Evening Demand 

In winter, when daylight hours are much shorter, the working hours of many manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other commercial facilities will extend beyond actual daylight hours. Because of this, battery storage is often used alongside solar panels to capture any excess energy generated during the day and continue reducing the reliance on grid-purchased power even as solar panels cease to generate a sufficient amount of electricity. 

Why is Solar Power the Favoured Renewable Energy Source and How Effective is it For Businesses With High Energy Demands?

Many commercial facilities and warehouses have vast, flat roofs which are well-suited for the installation of solar panels. This makes solar one of the simplest and easiest ways to incorporate renewable energy into everyday operations. 

How effective solar panels are at saving a business money can depend on a number of factors. Operating hours, level of consumption, and even the orientation of the roof can all have an impact on energy savings. Additionally, the amount invested into solar PV systems can affect the overall return on investment. 

Typically, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for businesses that operate with high power demands during the day, and they are proving successful in helping businesses all over the world better manage their energy expenses.