Company owners and homeowners are increasingly looking to switch to solar energy. There are four major aspects of solar energy systems that determine whether they’re commercial or residential: efficiency, size, installation, and color. 1.Efficiency — Commercial solar power is more efficient than residential solar power by roughly 2 percent. Furthermore, commercial solar power produces more power because the panels are bigger than residential panels. However, we calculate the price of solar panels by the power they produce, making a 4kW system for a residence the same cost as a commercial system. 2.Size — On average, commercial solar panels are larger than residential solar panels. A residential solar panel system typically has 72 cells and is 65 inches by 39 inches; whereas, a commercial solar panel system typically has 96 cells and is 78 inches by 39 inches. Residents can have commercial-sized solar panels, as long as they don’t mind the size. In fact, commercial-sized solar panels produce more power and are more efficient, so it would be wise to consider them for your home. 3.Installation — We install both residential and commercial solar panel systems the same way, by using a bolted racking system. Unlike residential roofs, commercial roofs are usually flat, allowing for an easier installation process. However, commercial systems can take up to a month to complete, while residential solar panels generally take one or two days to install. 4.Color — While commercial solar panel systems tend to be white, residential systems are black or white. More often than not, residential customers want black panels on black backing and commercial customers use black panels on white backing. The color you choose depends on your personal preference. Although there are several differences between residential and commercial solar power systems, there is one thing they have in common: They both protect the environment. Whether you’re considering residential or commercial solar panel systems, contact A1A Solar to learn more and get a quote today.

What is a commercial solar panel system? Most commercial and industrial solar installations are substantially larger than a typical residential solar panel system. For perspective, the average size of a residential solar panel system is around 8 kilowatts (kW), while a commercial solar energy system can be up to several megawatts (MW) in size, depending on the electricity needs of the facility. Commercial solar is considered “distributed generation,” meaning that the energy produced by the system is used at or near the point of generation. Distributed generation projects, such as rooftop or ground-mounted residential solar, are usually connected to the local electric grid. This allows commercial property owners to take advantage of net metering, a policy enabling distributed generation customers to send unused electricity back to the grid in exchange for electricity bill credits. What does a commercial or industrial solar installation look like? The solar panels used in commercial and industrial-scale installations are oftentimes larger than residential panels. Large-scale commercial solar installations usually use 96-cell or greater solar panels, meaning each panel is made of 96 or more individual solar photovoltaic cells. For comparison, a typical residential solar panel will have 60 or 72 cells. There are often many installation options for C&I projects, from factory roof space, to solar carports in parking lots, or large ground-mounted arrays. Unlike most rooftop systems, commercial and industrial solar systems often include intricate racking systems to elevate and tilt the panels. Some commercial panel arrays even use racking with tracking capabilities, allowing the panels to face different directions throughout the day – this helps increase the amount of direct sunlight that hits the panels (and maximizes electricity production!) Advantages of going solar for businesses There are many good reasons for businesses to generate their own electricity with solar panels: Solar saves businesses money One of the best reasons to install a commercial or industrial solar panel system is the financial benefit. Offsetting some or all of your electricity use at a factory or small business with solar reduces electric bills from day one. Plus, solar panel systems operate effectively for over 30 years, and once your business makes back the upfront investment for their system, you can generate free electricity from their panel system for many years after. Solar helps foster a sustainable brand image Solar panels are a visible signal that your company is committed to sustainability and a clean energy future. How companies and corporations are responding to environmental responsibility is an increasingly important issue; by taking action to support clean, renewable energy, companies can signal to potential customers that they care about more than just turning a profit. Installing commercial grade solar is a great way to generate positive buzz with stakehold...

Spread over three days and several exhibits, World Smart Energy Week 2019 attracted 66,579 visitors to Tokyo’s Big Sight Conference Center, according to show organizer Reed Exhibitions Japan. Though we’re unlikely to see a return to the days of double-figure GW annual installation levels, Japan will stay at the top table of solar. Last week, pv magazine visited PV Expo Japan, part of Tokyo’s World Smart Energy Week, and found plenty of market developments to discuss, along with healthy interest from major players. While there was a lot of talk about Japan’s shift toward residential and self-consumption, the country still boasts a large utility-scale pipeline. As the Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has set deadlines for such projects to qualify for the FIT – next March for projects with a capacity smaller than 2 MW, and September 2020 for projects that are bigger than 2 MW – Tokyo-based analyst RTS Corporation expects up to 7 GW of new PV to come online in Japan this year.

Chinese New Year is coming, we wish everyone a brilliant new year in 2022!!