This article will teach you all you need to know about how commercial solar power can benefit your business. Understanding the need for solar energy adaptation in business can keep you one step ahead of the competition and help you redirect your resources more effectively.

Understanding the importance of commercial solar power adaptation in business will keep you one step ahead of the competition. You’ve probably noticed that many small and large business owners are switching from getting their electricity from PHCN to using commercial solar power so they can plan ahead, save money, and protect themselves from threats they didn’t expect.

Nigerians are very much at ease with PHCN electrical supply, so hearing about how solar power might assist your business is of course unbelievable.

It’s not that using electricity is bad; in fact, it seems wrong when the benefits of solar power are compared to the cost of making and using electricity today.

Also read: Benefits of solar energy for commercial use

You may be asking if commercial solar power is different from the common phrase “solar panel.” They are distinct and similar in many ways, so because you brought it up, I’ll shed some light on it (read more).

It is critical that we discuss commercial solar power briefly. They are constructed of photovoltaic cells. Solar panels, also known as PV solar panels, convert sunlight into energy volts that can be stored for future use, as you may be aware.

The term “photovoltaic” refers to the conversion of light into electricity, using semi-conducting devices and materials capable of exhibiting the photovoltaic effect. When exposed to sunlight, this process generates a voltage.

Solar panels are made up of cells made of silicon that are stacked and separated into positive and negative layers. This makes a field that can catch and turn the energy from the sun into electricity. Based on the solar cell components, the silicon composition gives rise to various kinds of solar panels. There are three types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.

So, if you are considering utilizing solar power, you are entirely correct in your decision. This article will explain everything you need to know about commercial solar power and its benefits for your business, both locally and globally.

Ways Your Business Can Benefit From Commercial Solar Power

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It’s high time we take a look at the various ways your business can benefit from using solar power.

1. Solar power saves you time and money on electricity costs.

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Can I truly save money by utilizing commercial solar panels for my business, especially in Nigeria? Imagine having to cancel all of your bills, including the recurrent and escalating light cost that PHCN imposed on every individual.

Whether or not your company used the power, you will receive these bills. It is set in motion regardless of whether or not you consume. That is, whether or not you are on vacation, you must pay in full.

Switching to commercial solar panels might now assist your business to reduce the excessive payments that you receive despite not using the electricity offered.

In the event of a disconnection, you must wait until PHCN arrives to reconnect your light, which costs you money; money for reconnection, money for the idle personnel who stops the abrupt darkness in order to catch some shut eyes.

With solar panels having a 25-year warranty per panel, moving to solar production and consumption can secure a 25-year future investment. You can transfer that cash flow to more productive uses using the savings from the PHCN bill.

2. Environmentally friendly

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According to a study, the amount of CO2 emissions from energy generation in Nigeria is around… metric tonnes. This excludes emissions from generators, gasoline, and other alternative energy sources.

It is entirely dependent on the usage of sunshine, as opposed to solar panels or solar product output (solar energy). It is regarded as the most environmentally friendly method of energy generation.

The prevalence of persons who rely solely on electricity is known to be the leading cause of various health conditions nowadays.

Solar energy produces no toxic or gaseous greenhouse gases or other gaseous emissions because it emits none. Going solar is the best way to keep and maintain a healthy, friendly ecology or environment, and it may help you attract others who share your or your business’s interests.

3. Eliminate unanticipated power outages:

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Consider how many Nigerian businesses are dissatisfied as a result of grid failures, cable tangling, PHCN strikes, and other disasters.

Using a solar panel can help you avoid unforeseen events such as power outages, and you can preserve and store energy to be utilized later with the help of an extra battery. Remember that, despite being the safest, most reliable, and most secure source of energy,

The panels are intended to catch daylight energy and convert it to electricity that can be utilized immediately or stored for later use.

You can consume electricity instantaneously with your mounted solar grids, while your batteries can be conserved for later use when the panels are not gathering rays.

4. It has hybrid usage

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Solar electricity may now be used at night thanks to technological advancements. You can utilize hybrid solar systems to store the power generated by your solar system during the day and use it at night. This is possible because hybrid solar systems are both grid-connected and have battery banks linked to them.

5. Solar systems require little maintenance:

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One of the primary reasons why businesses should consider using solar energy is that solar systems require less upkeep. Maintaining the largest of solar systems is also reasonable with GVE Solar Company In Nigeria’s pool of simple service packages. To learn more about these packages, please contact our service representatives at +234 909 222 7483 or Email: Info@gve-group.com

Other advantages include: it contributes to energy independence.

  • It contributes to the value of your home.
  • Solar panels are becoming increasingly inexpensive.
  • It can help you save up to 80% on your electricity expenses.
  • It is an excellent form of investing.

Conclusion On Benefits of Commercial Solar Power

As an entrepreneur or owner of a large or small business in Nigeria, using commercial solar panels is essential for relieving stress and making business more fun.

So, if you want to purchase a solar product for your solar business, we can help you get the most dependable solar product to help accelerate your decision to go solar.

For many house and business owners, solar panels are an excellent investment. According to research, 66.5% of those who do not have house solar panels are interested in having them in the future. However, if you want them to work well, you should perform routine maintenance and clean solar panels effectively.

If you want to get the most out of your investment, learn how to clean solar panels properly. It is beneficial to both your money and the environment. Here’s our step-by-step guide to cleaning solar panels, including instructions for cleaning solar panels on a roof.

Importance of Cleaning Solar Panels

To clean solar panels on a regular basis is an important element of solar panel maintenance. Although it can be time-consuming, keeping your solar panels clean has numerous long-term benefits.

Cleaning solar panels on a regular basis prevents dirt and debris from accumulating and ensures they remain in excellent working condition. Furthermore, trash heaps may cause scratches that could permanently harm your panels.

Cleaning your panels on a regular basis also lowers the possibility of having to replace them. Overall, keeping your solar panels clean allows them to produce more energy, which saves you money by offsetting your energy cost.

When Should Solar Panels Be Cleaned?

Knowing when and how frequently to clean solar panels is critical.

The timing varies depending on the system you own, its location, and the amount of maintenance required by service specialists. Other key things to consider when determining how frequently to clean solar panels are:

  • Climate conditions
  • Environmental factor
  • As well as the season

Rain, for example, aids in the removal of dirt and debris. As a result, if you live in a dry climate, the lack of rain will necessitate extra hand washing of your panels.

Cleaning your solar panels, on the other hand, does not have to be done as frequently as you may imagine. Expect to clean your panels once or twice a year on average.

What Is The Cost Implications OF Cleaning Solar Panels?

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If you want to get your solar panels professionally cleaned, you need to find out how much professional solar panel cleaning costs.

Some solar providers charge a set fee for cleaning services, whereas the majority charge per panel.

However, your final payout is determined by a number of circumstances. Some examples are:

  • The number of solar panels that must be cleaned?
  • Panel dimensions (commercial panels are larger than residential panels)
  • The amount of dirt and debris accumulated
  • The type of surface on which the solar panels are installed (ground, wall, or roof)
  • Your roof’s type and slant

To get a better idea of how much expert cleaning may cost you, get a quote from your solar provider.

Materials Required To Clean Solar Panels

When learning how to clean solar panels, you should also consider what cleaning materials you will require. Using the proper equipment and products will allow you to wash them more completely and keep them cleaner for longer!

First, gather some water (a regular water hose or buckets of water are fine). After that, gather a soft cloth or sponge, a soft brush or leaf blower, and a squeegee.

It’s a good idea to utilize basic safety equipment when cleaning solar panels on a roof. A strong ladder, safety glasses, and a helmet are all recommended. If possible, utilize a safety harness.

But there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Hiring a solar specialist that specializes in cleaning is usually a good idea.

Going atop your roof might be dangerous, especially if it’s high and sloping because an accident could occur.

Furthermore, frigid locations with temperatures below freezing may cause the water you hose onto your panels to freeze. To lessen the probability of ice developing on your panels, use very warm water or wait until the temperature rises.

Of course, a fall safety system should always be used.

Safety Measures TO Consider When Planning To Clean Solar Panels

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has several fall protection regulations. These regulations apply to service personnel that installs or maintain solar panels, including cleaning them. They are, nevertheless, equally important for non-service professions to consider.

OSHA mandates a conventional guardrail if the fall danger is 4 feet or higher. Alternatively, if your solar panels are at least 6 feet above the ground, OSHA mandates the following fall safety methods:

  • System of guardrails
  • System of safety nets
  • Personal fall protection systems

On their website, you can learn more about OSHA’s recommended safety precautions and enforced rules.

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Clean Solar Panels Effectively

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Learning how to clean a solar panel properly is critical if you want your system to perform optimally. Furthermore, regular cleaning prevents unwanted damage to your panels and preserves them in good shape for years.

The most crucial measures to take when cleaning your panels are outlined below.

1. Verify The Manufacturer’s Instructions

Begin by reviewing the manufacturer’s instructions. They detail the steps on how to clean your specific solar panel brand. Following those guidelines can also help you avoid causing unneeded harm to the panels.

2. Get Rid Of Loose Dirt And Debris

Also, before cleaning your solar panel system, make sure you turn it off. The manufacturer’s instructions should explain how to turn your system off.

After that, clean up any loose dirt and debris from the panels. Dirt and debris can quickly build and reduce the efficiency with which your panels generate energy. Before cleaning the panels, use a leaf blower to remove the majority of the accumulation.

Furthermore, whenever and if you get on top of your roof, make sure to protect yourself. Wearing appropriate work attire, non-slip footwear, and, most importantly, employing a fall protection system are all part of this.

This is a simple and necessary precautionary measure to avert major mishaps.

3. Spray Water

Next, spray the panels with water to eliminate any remaining dirt, dust, or debris.

However, high-pressure water sprayers or water jets should not be used for this stage. The intense water spray has the potential to harm the panels.

The power of a high-pressure water sprayer might potentially cause you to lose your balance. Make use of a low-pressure hose or buckets of water.

When learning how to clean roof solar panels, climbing on the roof may allow you to clean them more thoroughly. However, be cautious because water might make the roof slippery. When cleaning roof panels, wear protective equipment.

4. Squeegee

Use a squeegee to remove any surplus water after cleaning the panels with water. Because it avoids mineral buildup, this procedure is especially crucial if you have hard water.

Use a squeegee with an extension handle if you have one. This allows you to remove water from difficult-to-reach regions.

5. Avoid The Use Of Abrasive Products

Finally, avoid using abrasive materials. Harsh detergents or rough sponges can harm your panels and reduce their effectiveness. Some detergents can also destroy your panels.

To maintain solar panels effectively, clean them using just water, gentle sponges, and soft cloths.

Contact GVE To Effectively Clean Your Solar Panel Today

Are you in need of specialists who understand how to clean solar panels effectively? Contact Us Today!

Phone: +234 909 2227 483, +234 909 2229 483

Email: info@gve-group.com

Net metering is a method of electric invoicing that allows you to store excess energy generated by your solar panels on the grid.

We’ll go over all you need to know about net metering in this article. 

Let’s dive deep into how electricity bills work with net metering, and the benefits, and disadvantages of net metering. Let’s go! 

Is net metering worth it? 

Going solar becomes a more appealing investment with this incentive, especially for properties with little daytime consumption.

During the day, homeowners can convert their roofs into mini-power plants, which is deducted from their nighttime use.

This implies that if your solar energy system generates more electricity than your home requires, the excess is delivered to the power grid, where your utility will compensate you.

Rooftop solar panels are a terrific method to save money because of net metering! 

In fact, the best states for solar installation are those with the best net metering rules, not those with the most sunshine.

Solar panels offer a shorter payback period and a higher return on investment where net metering is provided. 

If you don’t have this benefit, you’ll only save money on electricity bills if you use solar energy directly, and any surplus generation will be lost unless it’s stored in a solar battery. 

In general, areas with favorable net metering rules will see more home solar systems. 

How does net metering work? 

In a nutshell, net metering provides you credit for returning solar energy to the grid and also offsets future electricity you could take from the utility, providing you the full economic value of all the solar energy your solar panels generate. 

You may be able to remove all of your monthly electric expenditures if your solar system is suitably sized.

Solar panels generate the greatest electricity when the sun is shining in the middle of the day. 

The issue is that the hottest part of the day is also when you consume the least amount of electricity. 

As a result, your panels are generating far more energy than your home requires at the time.

When solar panels generate more electricity than a home requires, the surplus is fed into the grid. This is when net metering enters the picture. 

Your electric meter spins backward when a net-metered system transfers solar energy to the grid, and your utility credits your account for the full retail value of electricity.

You then use electricity from the grid at night when your solar panels aren’t producing, spinning your electric meter forward once more. 

The utility nets how much electricity you provided to the grid versus how much you used to determine your total cost at the end of the billing month, hence the name net metering.

Read Also: Benefits of solar energy for commercial use

How does net metering affect your utility bill? 

Net metering increases the value of solar power systems for households by allowing you to “sell” any excess energy produced to your utility provider. 

It’s crucial to understand how charges and credits are handled, though:

Utility providers will not write you a check for the power you contribute, but you can earn credits for it. 

Instead, the credits will be deducted from your power bills.

If your net metering credit is more than your use during a billing period, the difference is carried over to the next month.

Although some electricity companies may continue to roll over your credit indefinitely, many have a yearly expiration date that resets your credit balance.

With all of this in mind, you can cut your annual electricity bill to zero. 

During the sunny summer months, you can save up credit and use it during the winter months when solar generation drops. 

When your solar power system has just the proper capacity to cover your annual home use, you’ll get the best results.

Oversizing your solar array isn’t a good idea because you’ll wind up with a lot of unused credit each year. 

To put it another way, you can’t overproduce each month and charge your power company. 

Some power companies will let you choose when your annual net metering credits will expire.

Benefits of net metering 

Find below the benefits of net metering 

Utility bill savings

The utility bill savings are the most significant benefit of net metering for solar homeowners. 

Over the life of your solar panel system, net metering can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Solar panel systems can be structured to offset all of a solar customer’s energy use charges within a billing cycle, as we mentioned before. 

However, net metering cannot eliminate some set charges found on most electric bills.

Shorter payback periods 

Payback periods will be substantially shorter in areas that offer complete retail net metering than in areas that do not. 

This is due to the fact that solar households will save more on their electricity bills, allowing them to repay their investment expenditures more quickly.

Net metering isn’t the only factor that influences the length of time it takes for your solar system to pay for itself. 

The size of your photovoltaic system, the quantity of electricity you use, the cost of your installation, and local solar incentives and rebates all factor into how long it takes to pay off your solar panels.

Reduces pressure on the grid 

Residential solar panels aid utilities (as well as their consumers) by reducing the amount of stress on the electric grid distribution system. 

Solar households utilize their own electricity instead of getting power from the grid, therefore there are fewer individuals drawing power from the grid directly.

Furthermore, when a solar system transmits extra energy to the grid, that energy is used by non-solar utility users to meet their own energy needs. 

This relieves even more strain on utility-scale power plants.

Relieving some of the strain on the electric system is especially critical now, as heatwaves become more prevalent and utilities struggle to satisfy electricity demands in certain regions. 

Read Also: Solar farming – 3 key benefits

Disadvantages of net metering 

There is minimal to no harm from the consumer’s perspective. 

You are generating energy and saving money on your electric bill.

From the standpoint of the power company, they are losing money. 

Because the consumers’ load requirements vary with the solar output, it makes it a little more difficult to regulate their load. 

When the sun shines brilliantly, for example, the load on the electricity company is reduced. 

If a large thunderstorm blankets a city, thousands of customers’ solar production may be disrupted, and the utility company must make up the difference almost seamlessly, a difficult task.

Understanding the term – Host consumer 

The customer is self-sufficient in terms of power. 

They usually already have a relationship with the distribution company and/or a private business, which makes using the net meter easier. 

In terms of controlling the amount of electricity utilized and/or billed, the host customer is given both independence and empowerment.

What is a monitoring process?

The methods of metering range from one country to the next. 

Depending on the country’s existing energy or environmental legislation, processes might also vary greatly from area to region or state to state. 

It basically determines how much power customers can use at any one moment. 

The majority of monitoring and reimbursable fees are done on a monthly basis.

Advantages of using the monitoring process. 

  • A minimal fee is imposed.
  • There is only one meter used.
  • Currents are measured in both directions.
  • There is no need for prior arrangements or notices.
  • Credits can be carried over to the following month.

Disadvantages of using the monitoring process 

  • Deficit payments were necessary in some circumstances.
  • It may be necessary to settle a residual account or obligation on an annual basis.
  • Revenue collection shortages are a problem for municipal and government-controlled grid systems.
  • Net metering/power generation system owners are not required to pay the full cost of the regional or national grid.

Other terms include: 

Aggregate net metering

Multiple meters on a property can be offset by a single solar system using aggregate net metering.

Assume you live on a ranch with a house, a barn, and a workshop, all of which have their own meters. 

All three meters are included in the total net energy use on the property under this agreement.

This works in the same way that ‘traditional’ net metering does. 

The only distinction is that you can track multiple meters on a single property.

Virtual net metering

Virtual net metering differs from traditional net metering in that it allows several consumers to share a solar energy system and participate in net metering.

Individual tenants can be metered and billed under their own account under this arrangement, which allows shared houses such as apartment buildings to establish a centralized solar system.

Similarly, residents in the neighborhood can construct a community solar farm to provide power to several residences in the area. 

Those that invest in the community solar scheme gain a piece of the shared system’s ownership. 

They would be entitled to credits and/or compensation based on their percentage ownership in the system.

Rounding up 

Are you considering going solar? 

Make a phone call to your local utility and inquire about their net metering policies. Many have their policies available on the internet.

They’ll explain how they credit you for the solar energy you generate, which is crucial to know if you want to get the most out of your system.

Don’t forget to share this article. 

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