Solar technology has advanced significantly over the past few years to the point where its use can no longer be relegated to residential applications. Solar power is now viable for many industrial applications, including operation in harsh environments and powering devices with power requirements far exceeding those of traditional solar-powered devices.
Although most of the time, when you think of solar panels, you think of low-impact, green energy, there are plenty of other applications, such as manufacturing and assembly lines. That said, implementing solar panels in a commercial setting requires careful planning and understanding of several factors such as power, energy usage, and the environment.
One of the main hurdles in implementing solar energy in industrial settings is that people are not fully aware of its benefits and do not know how to use it. This guide will give you an overview of how solar panels are used on industrial-scale properties.
Benefits of Using Solar Power in Industrial Facilities
Low Carbon Emission
The main reason why many companies are now opting for solar energy is that it produces no carbon dioxide emissions or other greenhouse gases during its operation. In fact, it reduces the amount of CO2 produced by fossil fuels since it produces electricity with minimal emissions compared to conventional sources like coal or oil-based plants.
No Fuel Costs
Another benefit of using solar power is that there are no fuel costs involved in its operation because sunlight is free and abundant worldwide. This means that you would not have to worry about paying for expensive fuels like coal or oil every month when you want to run your business smoothly – install a few panels on your roof and let them do their job.
Less Risk of Blackouts
The most obvious benefit of using solar power is that it can help to reduce the risk of blackouts. If your facility uses traditional electricity sources, it may be vulnerable to unexpected power outages, resulting in lost revenue and other negative consequences. By installing solar panels on your property, you can keep your equipment running even if the grid goes down.
Improved Safety
In addition to having less risk of blackouts, solar energy also improves safety at your location by reducing the need for additional electrical wiring and other potentially hazardous components in your facility. This makes it easier for employees to work safely without worrying about tripping over cables or getting injured from exposed wires. Other features often exist in industrial facilities requiring large amounts of electricity.
Increased Property Value
When it comes to commercial real estate, a lot of factors go into determining how much a property is worth. One of those factors is the ability of a business to generate its power. In recent years, many companies have begun installing solar panels because they help reduce their carbon footprint and lower utility costs. As a result, the value of properties with rooftop solar systems has increased by as much as 10%.
Energy Efficiency
Solar panels can be used to generate electricity for industrial processes at different efficiency levels depending on the installation needed by each site. For example, if you need a lot of electricity for running machines or powering lights, larger-scale installations may be required, whereas smaller-scale installations may be sufficient for heating water or powering equipment like air conditioners or refrigerators. The amount of energy generated depends on how much sun is available at any given time and how efficient your panels are at converting sunlight into usable electricity.
Ease of Monitoring the ROI
The fact that a solar system can generate electricity means that it is easier to monitor the return on investment (ROI) by comparing the amount spent on purchasing and installing panels against how much savings have been made from not having to buy as much electricity from the grid. This also makes it easier to calculate exactly how much money you are saving each month or year, which can help make business decisions more accessible and accurate over time.
The Most Innovative Industries Using Solar Power
Manufacturing
Manufacturers often rely on electricity to power their production lines and equipment like presses, lathes, mills, etc. Even though many manufacturers have already installed solar panels at their facilities, some still have not yet started using this renewable energy source. Manufacturers can use solar power to run their light machinery while reducing their carbon footprint through less pollution caused by fossil fuels such as coal or oil.
Agriculture
The agriculture sector has been a prime beneficiary of solar energy because it is one of the industries that use up large amounts of electricity. Solar panels are easy to install and can be set up in any part of the farm to power irrigation systems, cooling systems, and lighting systems. The cost of installing solar panels is much lower than other forms of power generation since there are no fuel costs associated. The rural population also benefits from solar energy because they usually live off-grid, making them dependent on expensive diesel generators for their power needs.
Healthcare
The healthcare industry has been another big beneficiary of solar energy because hospitals and clinics need large amounts of electricity to power equipment like x-ray machines and incubators used for babies in intensive care units (ICU). Hospitals have been able to save money by using solar panels instead of diesel generators for their electricity needs because diesel generators are expensive and require constant maintenance due to high wear and tear from frequent use. Hospitals also benefit from using sun-powered devices such as lamps, fans, air conditioners, water heaters, etc., which reduce their reliance on conventional energy sources.
Construction
Construction is another industry that benefits from solar power because it provides an alternative source of power generation when there is no access to electricity or when there are blackouts due to lack of maintenance. When construction sites are off-grid, they rely on diesel generators which can be expensive and not environmentally friendly. Solar panels eliminate this problem by providing clean energy at an affordable price.
In countries with no grid system, construction sites can benefit from solar power by installing portable solar panels that can be moved around easily. This enables them to work in remote areas without worrying about finding a source of electricity.
Using Solar Panels in Industrial Settings: Important Considerations
If you are planning to use solar panels in your business, here are some important considerations.
Conduct an Initial Energy Audit
This is the first step in determining if you are ready to go solar. An energy audit will tell you how much electricity your plant uses, what makes up that usage, and what equipment might be on its way out or could be replaced with new technology. It also provides insights into how much energy your building consumes, including heating and cooling needs, lighting, and electrical systems. An energy audit helps determine whether or not it is worth investing in solar panels for industrial settings.
Consider Incentives and Rebates
In many states, incentives are available for installing renewable energy systems such as solar panels and wind turbines. These incentives are usually provided by local utilities or state agencies and include tax credits for installing renewable energy systems, zero-interest loans, and rebates on equipment purchases. The amount of money available through these programs varies from state to state, so you should check with your utility company or local government agency before purchasing equipment or hiring contractors to install the system.
Go for Net Metering
Net metering is the process of selling electricity back to the utility company. If a solar panel system produces more energy than your home or business uses, that excess power is returned to the grid and credited to your account. You can draw from this credit if you use more energy than your solar panels produce.
Net metering is an essential policy for homes, but it is also valuable for businesses that have a demand for electricity during non-peak hours when solar panels are producing less energy. In these cases, net metering allows businesses to take advantage of lower rates at night or on weekends when electricity demand is low.
Consider Multiple Arrays for Shade Mitigation
When installing solar panels for industrial settings, shade mitigation is one of the major concerns. The best way to mitigate this problem is to use multiple arrays. For example, if you have a large warehouse with some shade on the roof, you can set up a couple of arrays on different parts of the roof that are not shaded by each other and then connect them with an inverter.
If you have a warehouse that has trees around it or is surrounded by other buildings, you can set up an array on each side of your building and connect them to one inverter. This way, if one side is shaded from time to time, it would not affect your overall productivity as much as having only one array powering everything in your warehouse would.
Consider Incentives and Rebates
Before installing solar panels at your industrial facility, make sure you know all the regulations governing your location. Only certain types of businesses are allowed to use solar energy in some areas. In others, there may be restrictions on where to place solar panels or how much space they can occupy on your property. You may also need approval from your local municipality before installing any new equipment or technology at your business.
Find a Qualified Contractor
You should always hire a professional contractor when installing solar panels at an industrial site. These experts have experience working with the unique needs of this type of project and can provide valuable advice and guidance throughout the process — from determining which type of panels will work best for your needs to installing them in an efficient manner that maximizes their potential output.
Use Inverters with High Wattage Output
Solar panels for industrial settings can be connected directly to an inverter, or they can be connected through a panel combiner box before being connected to the inverter. When connecting multiple arrays through a combiner box, ensure that your inverter has enough wattage output to handle all of these connected panels. If not, you will need to upgrade your inverter so it can handle more watts than it is currently rated.
Have Backup Power Generation
When installing solar panels for industrial settings, you should always have backup power generation. This could be a generator or simply having an extra battery connected to the system that automatically kicks in when there is no sun for a few days or more. This way, even if there is an extended period of cloud cover or darkness at night, your system will still be able to provide power to the building during those times.
The Key Takeaway
This guide is meant to provide a quality standard when addressing solar panels in industrial settings. It will provide a basic understanding of solar panels' benefits, the different kinds of industries that use them, and some helpful tips and guidelines for installing them. While it was written focusing on industrial settings, much of the information presented here can be applied to any setting where solar panels are considered an option.
That said, Bluetti's unique combination of portable products and ground equipment is perfect for factories that need flexibility. That is why we recommend Bluetti for your industrial needs. This is just one of their groundbreaking innovations. Visit them if you want to find more.
