As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue, there is ever-mounting pressure upon businesses to work against the damage that industry has caused. This has taken many forms, and there is still much more than can be done to curb further damage. However, the advances in solar energy are particularly promising, and so they have been widely adopted by businesses as a means of reducing their carbon footprint. It is quickly becoming commonplace for businesses to use solar panels instead of traditional electricity, so they are also starting to be implemented during the construction of commercial buildings. This guide will outline the process that goes into outfitting today’s businesses with green energy solutions.

Solar Energy Basics

It’s a universal truth that you get the best results from the best materials, and solar panels are no different in that regard. A given solar panel will be more efficient and more reliable if it is well constructed. Finding the best solar panels is an essential part of constructing a commercial building with green energy in mind. This is especially true because solar panels are already fighting a losing battle in terms of efficiency. Solar panels are less efficient than both traditional electricity and wind turbines, and part of the reason for their widespread usage is that they are more affordable and more modular. Therefore, you really can’t afford to settle for less in terms of the quality of the panels in question if you want the most bang for your buck.
In addition, a large scale operation like a commercial building will need more than one panel in order to generate a sufficient amount of electricity. Another reason for this is that the dependence of solar panels on exposure to sunlight means that they are less effective on overcast or rainy days, and they won’t generate any power at night. An abundance of panels that produce an excess of energy and a battery with which to hold that excess charge are necessary to keep a commercial building powered night and day.

Installation

The installation of solar panels is relatively cost effective, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not labor intensive. First of all, the planning phase of the installation needs to account for the panels’ exposure to the sun at all hours of the day, and that must also take into account other tall buildings in the area. There’s essentially no way to get 100% efficiency at all times, and getting as close as possible will take some deliberation. When competing with other tall structures, the highest possible altitude is preferable, but that confers a certain level of difficulty when the installation process begins. It’s worth noting that a solar tracking system will help to increase a system’s yield of sunlight, but it can’t possibly achieve full efficiency without being at ground level with no obstruction, something that just doesn’t work for an urban district in general and a commercial building in particular.
First of all, construction sites are notoriously dangerous, regardless of the job being done. A building that hasn’t been completed will also offer additional logistical challenges, because solar panels at the top of the structure will need to match up with the wiring of the rest of the building, some of which may not yet be installed. Therefore, installing solar panels will require the installation team to coordinate not only with the construction team at large, but also with a team of electrical engineers, and all of this conference needs to be done in advance and on site.

Conclusion

While solar energy still lags behind traditional electricity and wind energy, it has taken root among consumers and businesses because of its accessibility and affordability. However, installing solar panels is a labor intensive job, and that only becomes more true as the scope of a construction project expands. However, the construction and solar installation efforts have been boiled down to a science that businesses can use to power their businesses and save the planet quickly and cost effectively.