Trying to decide whether to install a solar system on your business is a worthwhile investment? We have listed five reasons solar power benefits commercial businesses in Australia.
Garner Loyalty From a Rapidly Increasing Eco-Conscious Consumer Base
Consumers are becoming more proactive in their decision-making regarding where they take their business. A 2021 KPMG study found that over 80% of Australian consumers prefer to purchase from corporations that align with their values, including values of environmental sustainability. Over 54% of Australian consumers even confirmed their purchasing decision has been influenced by a corporation’s social and environmental responsibility goals (or lack of).
Businesses have a much greater chance to attract and garner repeat customers if they have a high degree of environmental responsibility. Loyalty is often achieved when a customer connects emotionally to a business. It is predicted that customer experience will continue to overtake current key brand differentiators such as product and price, and addressing serious issues and invoking tangible change is a terrific way to bolster customer experience and loyalty.
"... addressing serious issues and invoking tangible change is a terrific way to bolster customer experience and loyalty."
Market your organisation's sustainability values and practices to attract customers, but be wary of simply “greenwashing” - customers catch on quickly to businesses who use environmental positivity to simply increase sales. Customers want to feel that by supporting your business's sustainability practices, they are simultaneously making their own difference and impact.
Installing solar is an easy way to begin or boost your business’s sustainability practices, as it is set and forgotten when well-designed and installed. Powering your office, warehouses, and headquarters through renewable energy is attractive for customers when faced with a sea of polluting powerhouses.
Just be sure to use figures to quantify your solar’s environmental impact - how many tonnes of CO2 have you prevented from being released into the atmosphere and what is the equivalent of trees you have planted? How many homes could you power with your solar system, and for how long? These numbers resonate with customers and solidify the environmental values that both your company and the customer share, and boost overall customer experience and loyalty.
Springers Solar installed a 99.9kW system for the QLD Herbarium. Environmental benefits can be monitored via the system's online platform.
Reduce or Eliminate Ongoing Energy Costs
Every business is faced with the ongoing expense of electricity bills. With energy prices increasing across Australia year after year, the cost to power company facilities can be astronomical for small and large organisations alike. Solar power works by converting AC electricity generated from solar panels into DC electricity to be used by all energy-consuming appliances. Unless connected to battery storage, solar power can only be used through the day while the sun is shining.
Unlike households, which use electricity in the evenings and at night, most businesses operate 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, making business facilities the perfect candidate for solar installation. Depending on the size of your solar system and your facility's average energy consumption, your power bill can be heavily reduced or even eliminated with solar.
The savings with solar can be funnelled directly into what matters for your business, rather than expensive power bills. Click here to learn how Chermside Kedron Community Church reduced its electricity bills with a 39kW solar system, designed and installed by Springers Solar.
Solar Pays Itself Off Over Time
Solar can be a substantial upfront investment for businesses. While there are financing options available, the initial figure for the installation can be high which can deter business owners from taking the plunge. A payback period is referred to as the period a solar system pays itself off when considering the savings on your power bill.
On average, the payback period on solar systems ranges from 4 - 5 years. Considering that solar systems are covered by warranties of up to 25 years, the return on investment is substantial and worthwhile.
Click here to read about Club Pine River's 99.9kW commercial solar installation. The Club was able to meet its environmental and power bill reduction goals and was thrilled with the short four-year payback period.
Low Maintenance & Reliable
Not only does a solar system provide a healthy return on investment and savings on utility costs, but it will reliably power your facility for years to come with low maintenance. Business owners don’t need to worry about the system once it’s installed, and a good solar provider will monitor and service your system on your behalf to ensure everything is operating properly.
To enjoy a “set and forget” system, you must select a reliable solar provider and installer. Testimonials are a great indicator of service quality and whether the installer honours their warranties. It is also important to check how long the installer has been in business - a company with 10-15+ years of experience is likely to still be around to honour those 20+ year component warranties on your system.
Installing solar is the easiest way to incorporate sustainable practices into your business without needing to be actively engaged for years to come. Once it’s installed, you can simply enjoy the benefits renewable energy entails.
Take Care of the Environment
Business owners are in a position to advocate for and take greater action in efforts to protect the environment. Company facilities often contribute to the pollution of the environment and at a larger scale than average households do. Installing solar to your premise will reduce your business’s carbon footprint as less CO2 emissions are produced to power the facilities.
Australia produced 4.1 million tonnes of CO2 in 2021, of which approximately 146.5 million tonnes were produced by Australia’s 2.4 million small to medium businesses. The average pub, restaurant, or bar in Australia produces around 11.6 tonnes of CO2 every year, and data shows that more than a third of this is a result of electricity usage.
Solar energy can reduce a business’s carbon footprint significantly and can contribute to the reduction of Australia’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. Switching to solar energy is a feasible solution to CO2 reduction and is a simple way for business owners to take care of the environment on a larger scale.
Springers Solar - Queensland’s Most Experienced Commercial Solar Installer
Springers Solar provides quality components with proven performance, backed by industry-leading warranties, and dedicated after-sales support. Thousands of satisfied residential and commercial customers over more than 20 years of operation make Springers Solar one of the most established and experienced solar companies in Australia.
Springers Solar has received multiple awards for design and installation and is a certified/preferred installer for a large range of solar panel, inverter, and solar battery manufacturers, including Tesla, REC, and SolarEdge.
Our dedicated in-house team of electrical engineers, project managers, solar PV designers, solar installers, and electricians work closely with you before, during, and long after your project is completed. Springers Solar offers an industry-leading 10-year workmanship warranty which is a testament to our qualified staff and offers you outstanding value and peace of mind.
Five Reasons Why Installing Commercial Solar Will Benefit Your Business