Commercial buildings consume a lot of energy to operate. As the number of consumers increases, so are the needs for various goods and services. This situation only aggravates the demand for more energy consumption, driving its price higher and companies looking for alternative energy sources.
The rooftops of commercial buildings are the ones that frequently receive sunlight. Installing solar panels on roofs and other open spots like parking areas may be a cost-effective solution to capture natural energy while also repurposing otherwise underutilized space. However, recognizing what to check and what to avoid in the rapidly increasing solar panel market may be a tricky procedure to traverse.
The Advantage of Using Solar Panels
Solar power from rooftop panels can fulfill some part of an office building’s electrical needs, making it a logical alternative for commercial structures. Another issue to consider if you own a business facility is the building’s worth. A system with a built-in renewable energy source will become more valuable.
Solar energy for business buildings may become an income-generating enterprise since some areas allow you to sell your excess power back to the grid, providing excellent returns on investment.
Installation: What You May Need to Know
The installation process of solar panels on your commercial roof is a combination of electrical and roofing work. You need to consider your roof’s warranty and if it may suffer damage during the installation. Therefore, finding an experienced and reputable licensed professional is a must.
You must first conduct a site inspection, preferably through a roof hatch with service stairs for roof hatches, and ensure no vulnerabilities in your electrical, roofing, and structural areas.
The structural supports that hold the panels in place in typical solar panel installations are stainless steel or anodized aluminum material that provides a robust connection and extended product life. Depending on various parameters, these systems can then be ballasted, pierced, or a mix of both.
A qualified solar specialist will keep walkways and entrances to rooftop equipment clear for maintenance personnel’s long-term safety. When it comes to the installation procedure, it’s also a good idea to follow these guidelines:
- When contemplating a solar panel system, always visit a professional installer. These skilled installers offer comprehensive analysis and turnkey designs and installs, including fabrication, permits, construction, and engineering.
- Solar panels come with a 25-year guarantee. Owners and building managers should think about how old their roof is before adding one. When it’s time to replace a roof, it’s the most excellent time to think about installing them because the roofing and solar panels will both have warranties out around the same time.
- Anyone ready to put solar on an aged or aging roof that will soon need replacement in the next few years is someone you need to avoid.
More people will see solar panels integrated into the building’s design with the continued advancement of other technologies and the growing interest in sustainable measures. Some examples of such development include solar-covered walkways, canopies, window shades, and even solar parking lots that give shade and electric car charging to clients or employees.
Other Challenges
Although there are advantages connected with solar panel installation, there are some obstacles, such as the high prices of the equipment and the need for a wide surface area to place the panels. Other factors may hamper the correct working of solar panels, such as pollution, weather phenomena like foggy and rainy days that block the sun’s rays, necessitating the usage of battery charges to keep energy for emergencies and other events.
These issues are minor compared to the numerous benefits of using solar technology in commercial buildings and a slew of different advantages that a company may get by associating itself with sustainability and being environmentally friendly.
Combining Spray Foam Roofing and Solar Panel
Integrating solar panels and spray foam will result in further energy efficiency because the foam will increase the building’s insulating factor, resulting in decreased costs due to heating and cooling. By combining these two sustainable elements, your building will indeed become more energy-efficient, and you’ll also have a sustainable roof, which means you’ll be contributing less to pollution.
Building owners who wish to improve their facilities, decrease energy expenditures and insulate for better comfort can combine the two technologies on rooftops. Spray foam roofing with photovoltaics is ideal for achieving net-zero energy in various commercial projects in many locations.
More and more buildings will soon adapt to the different challenges brought by climate change, and utilizing solar technology is just one of the many currently undergoing development. If you need updates or any interests or planning to install a system in your building, ensure to get your necessary advice from a licensed and credible professional.
