Commercial Solar Solutions
Invest In A Sustainable Future
Solar is an investment in
the Future of Your Business
Cutting down on operating costs is one great reason for a business to go solar, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are various grants, tax credits, and rebates available as well to help make the switch more financially feasible. It can give your brand image a real boost, too, since consumers increasingly prefer to support environmentally conscious companies.
Finding the Right System for You
When designing a commercial solar installation, factors such as available space, energy requirements, budget, and local regulations influence the selection of solar panels and the ideal location to mount your array. We’ll evaluate your site to determine the best solar panel options and system design to help lower your utility bills and make your energy costs more predictable in the future.
There are several types of commercial mounts depending on your roof type, available space, and sun exposure.
Ballasted Racking
This method involves securing solar panels to the roof using weighted ballasts, which eliminate the need to penetrate the roof surface. Ballasted racking systems work well for flat or low-slope roofs and can be easily installed and removed.
Pitched Roof
Solar panels can be installed on shingle, standing seam, or corrugated metal roofing materials. Specialized hardware is used to ensure the integrity of your roof and prevent leaks.
Ground Mounts
If we determine that your roof is not an optimal location to mount your panels, they can be mounted on fixed structures anchored to the ground at a specific tilt angle to maximize sun exposure. Fixed ground mounts work well for sites with ample space and unobstructed sunlight.
System Sizes
When designing a commercial solar installation, factors such as available space, energy requirements, budget, and local regulations influence the selection of solar panels and the ideal location to mount your array. We’ll evaluate your site to determine the best solar panel options and system design to help lower your utility bills and make your energy costs more predictable in the future. There are several types of commercial mounts depending on your roof type, available space, and sun exposure.
Grants & Incentives for Businesses
Valuable federal tax incentives are available for commercial solar panel installations. These incentives can significantly reduce the upfront costs of installing solar energy systems for commercial properties.
Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
The ITC provides a tax credit for qualifying renewable energy systems, including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, for both residential and commercial properties. In 2024, the ITC currently allows both homeowners and businesses to claim 30% of their solar system costs as a tax credit.
Bonus Categories for the ITC
Domestic Content Bonus
To qualify for the domestic content bonus, all structural steel or iron products used must be produced in the United States and a “required percentage” of the total costs of manufactured products (including components) of the facility need to be mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States. The percentage is calculated by dividing the cost of all domestically manufactured products and components by the total cost of all manufactured products.
Projects that meet domestic content minimums are eligible for a 10 percentage point increase in value of the ITC (e.g., an additional 10% for a 30% ITC = 40%) or 10 percent increase in value of the PTC (e.g., an additional 0.3 ¢/kWh for a 2.75 ¢/kWh).
The required percentage of manufactured products starts at 40% for all projects beginning construction before 2025, increases to 45% for projects beginning construction in 2025, 50% for projects beginning construction in 2026, and 55% for projects beginning construction after 2026
Energy Community Bonus
An energy community is one of three things:
1. A brownfield site – specifically, a site that has been contaminated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant (excluding petroleum), including certain mine-scarred lands;
2. An area that, after 2009, had a 0.17% or more direct employment or 25% or more local tax revenues related to the extraction, processing, transport, or storage of coal, oil, or natural gas, and has an unemployment rate at or above the national average for the previous year; or
3. A census tract in which a coal mine closed after 1999 (including any adjoining census tract), or a coal-fired electric generating unit has retired after 2009. Projects sited in an energy community are eligible for a 10 percentage point increase in value of the ITC (e.g., an additional 10% for a 30% ITC = 40%) or 10 percent increase in value of the PTC.
Low Income Bonus
This bonus provides projects that are under 5 MWac either:
1. An additional 10% ITC for being located in a low-income community as defined by the New Markets Tax Credit (Category 1) or on Indian land (Category 2); or
2. An additional 20% ITC for being classified as a “qualified low-income residential building project” (Category 3) or “qualified low-income economic benefit project” (Category 4). To qualify for the credit, the financial benefits of the solar facility must be allocated equitably between the residents of the low income community.
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)
Under MACRS, businesses can depreciate the cost of solar energy property over a specified recovery period, typically five years. This allows businesses to recover the cost of their solar investments more quickly through tax deductions.
USDA REAP Grants
The USDA REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grant is a financial assistance program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. It aims to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption by implementing renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
The REAP program provides grants and loan guarantees for a variety of renewable energy projects, including solar panels, wind turbines, biomass systems, geothermal systems, and hydroelectric systems. Additionally, it supports energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, lighting retrofits, and HVAC improvements.
To qualify for a USDA REAP grant, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being located in a rural area as defined by the USDA, having a feasible project that complies with program requirements, and providing a matching contribution toward the project costs.
The grant amounts vary depending on the type of project and its size, but typically range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. Grant funds can cover a portion of the project costs, typically up to 25% for renewable energy projects and up to 75% for energy efficiency projects.
The USDA REAP program is highly competitive, and applicants must submit thorough and well-developed proposals to be considered for funding. The program aims to support projects that will have a positive impact on rural communities by reducing energy costs, promoting economic development, and contributing to environmental sustainability.