- Overview
- Solar Basics
- Benefits
- Incentives
- Financing
- Implementation
- Get Started
Commercial Solar Overview
At OnPeak, we understand that our commercial customers and their requirements are distinctly different than those of our residential customers. Every business has its own initial motivations for investigating a solar electric system. Some are driven by the positive economics associated with systems sited in New Jersey while others see the marketing benefits of being a green business partner. We've organized the tabs in this section to correspond to our own decision making process and hopefully it fits yours but feel free to jump around:
- In Solar Basics you'll learn how photovoltaics generate electricity from sunlight and the relationship among all the other components of a solar electric system and how they affect how quickly you'll earn a profit from your system.
- Once you understand the basics, the Benefits of your solar system will make more sense and perhaps you'll come up with some benefits that we haven't listed but are important to you, your business, and your customers. Share them with us.
- Solar economics are important and are driven primarily by federal and state Incentives that are continually changing. You'll see the latest and the greatest.
- We'll need to figure out how you pay for your system so our Financing tab outlines some of the options available today which range from a traditional outright purchase to a power purchase agreement that requires no capital from you. However, each method has its pros and cons.
- In Implementation you'll see how easy and timely the process really is for you regardless of the financing method you choose.
- By the last tab, you've made your decision and can Get Started
Once you've reviewed our residential tabs take a look at our FAQ page and our Glossary page for more information. If you have any questions go ahead and contact us. We're just a call away. It's Just That Easy!
Solar Basics for Business
Understanding how solar panels convert sunlight to electricity and how these panels integrate with other components to bring power into your facility and feed the utility grid will be valuable as you navigate the installation road to your fully operational system. You'll be well informed and be able to pass on information about your system. If there is a term that you're unfamiliar with and that we don't define here, most likely it's included on our Glossary Page.
Let's start with the solar cell:
Solar Cell
A standard solar cell is comprised of silicon, a semiconductor material also found in computer chips, but for solar cells the semiconductor material can also be produced from other materials that provide advantages and disadvantages from traditional silicon. For our purposes we will look at three types of solar cells:
- Monocrystalline Solar Cells
- Polycrystalline Solar Cells (also known as Multicrystalline)
- Thin Film Solar Cells (also known as Amorphous, CdTe, CIGS, and other variants)
Monocrystalline Solar Cells
A monocrystalline solar cell is formed from a single, large silicon crystal that is sliced in thin layers. Because the silicon is a single crystal, the transfer of electrons within the semiconductor is very efficient which results in this type of solar cell being the most efficient when compared to polycrystalline and thin film cells. The top face of the cell has a homogenous look and is coated to prevent reflection of sunlight. Because they are more difficult to make, these cells are also more expensive. Their efficiencies range from 14% up to 20% but are a good choice for businesses with limited roof area and high power demands.
Polycrystalline (Multicrystalline) Solar Cells
These cells are similar to monocrystalline except they are manufactured from a single mass that is comprised of randomly oriented silicon crystals. Because of the various boundaries between the individual crystals, these types of cells are not as efficient and range from 13% to 15%. They are less costly than monocrystalline and are a good choice for standard installations.
Thin Film Solar Cells
This type of solar cell has no crystalline structure and is produced by depositing silicon or other semiconductor material with photovoltaic properties on a substrate material. Such cells are generally lower in cost but also less efficient than panels created from crystalline silicon although when thin film material is used in a flexible format it has advantages in allowing Building Integrated Photovoltaic applications (BIPV). Other types of semiconductor material include copper indium gallium selenide, abbreviated CIGS. Because the efficiency of thin film is generally less than 10%, a much greater number of cells must be used to generate the same amount of electricity as can be generated from crystalline cells. This can result in additional racking and installation costs and may not be optimal where roof area is limited. However, thin film does have the advantage of tolerating heat better than crystalline.
Solar Panel (Module)
The term solar cell and solar panel or module are often used synonymously, however, a photovoltaic panel or module is an assembly of solar cells that are interconnected and packaged in a unit that generally has a glass covering, a frame, and a backing material of plastic, metal, or fiberglass. Panels come in a variety of sizes, shapes, efficiencies, and wattages. In the panels to the right the cells are clearly visible. For locations that are visible from street level, more aesthetically pleasing panels are available with solid black faces and black frames which allow the panels to coordinate better.
Inverter
The inverter is the component of a solar electrical system that converts the panel generated DC current into AC current that is suitable for your business equipment regardless of its AC power requirements. For grid-tied systems, the AC current generated must be of sufficient quality to allow connection to the utility's grid. Most modern inverters are certified for such installations.
To maintain its highest efficiency, an inverter must be connected to an optimal number of panels. Normally, in selecting a system it is not a good idea to have the system installed with an oversized inverter with the plan that you will install additional panels later. Either install the larger system or install a smaller system and then in the future install your add on system complete with its own panels and inverter. Your OnPeak representative can discuss your options if you are planning on upgrading your system size in the future, such as if you plan an addition to your home and will have additional roof space available.
If in a blackout, the utility power in a grid-tied system shuts down, the solar electric system will also shut down to avoid what is called Islanding which is a safety concern for utility workers. If your system were to remain operational and be feeding electricity into the grid, utility workers could be endangered. If you install a backup battery system, you can continue to maintain power.
Battery
Usually not installed on most grid-connected solar installations, a battery stores any extra electricity that the system generates. In an off-grid system, the stored power can be used when the solar electric system is not generating power such as at night or not generating enough power such as during cloudy periods or when the power demand of equipment exceeds the generating capacity of the system.
For on-grid systems, the grid can be considered the battery and provides power at night or in cloudy conditions or when power demand excess the generating capacity of the system. However, when utility power shuts down, a grid-tied system without a battery will also shut down for safety reasons. The advantage of having a battery is that your system will continue to operate in a blackout and can be used to power equipment. The disadvantage is that battery systems, depending on their size, can add significant additional cost as well as complexity to the installation and require routine maintenance and replacement every few years. Since most industrial businesses utilize significant power, it is often more cost effective to implement a backup generator to continue operations during a blackout rather than large battery systems.
Net Meter
A net meter is an electric meter capable of recording both the amount of electricity used from the utility's grid and the amount of electricity fed into the utility's grid from your solar electric system. Such a meter spins both forwards and backwards, the latter indicating that your system is feeding the grid. A net meter can be used to supply the data necessary for "Net Metering" which is an electricity policy that allows you to receive credit (or a deduction from your electric bill) for the value of the electricity your solar electric system has fed into the utility's grid. Net metering policies vary across the nation with regard to availability of net metering, the value of the credit and when it expires. New Jersey currently maintains a net metering policy allowing credits at the retail rate with any annual excess being purchased at the utility's avoided cost rate.
Balance of System
The balance of system term is often defined differently but is used to describe whatever else is required for a system to function beyond the photovoltaic panels. Accordingly it might include the following:
- Inverter
- Battery
- Net Meter
- Racking
- Wiring
- Safety Disconnects
- Monitors
Racking
Racking generally consists of metal rails that are bolted to a building's roof upon which the solar panels are mounted. Non-penetrating mounting is also available which often uses concrete blocks as ballast. In addition to keeping the panels securely fixed to the roof, racking provides a space between the roof and panel to allow for air circulation. Without this circulation, the panels would become very hot during operation and produce less electricity. For flat roofs, panels can be mounted flat or tilted to provide additional power production. HVAC and other roof equipment can significantly affect the placement and quantity of panels. If you are planning a new facility, and locate roof equipment optimally, your system can me more cost effective.Wiring
There are electrical connections between individual solar panels to join them together into what is termed a string. A number of strings comprise an array. One or more strings are individually connected to an inverter. Depending on the number of strings in your array, you may need more than one inverter. There is also wiring between the inverter, power disconnects, and the electrical panels in your facility (where your circuit breakers are located). There may also be low voltage communication wiring between your inverter and a performance monitor. The wiring between panels and to the inverter handles dc electrical power, while wiring from the inverter to your electrical panel and meter handles ac electrical power. The low voltage wiring is generally dc.Safety Disconnects
There are safety disconnect switches at various points in the system. One between your panels and the inverter and another between your inverter and your electrical panel. These two disconnects provide the ability to turn power off to your inverter (so that it can be serviced) and the system to be disconnected from the utility-grid. Systems with batteries and multiple inverters may have additional disconnect switches.Monitors
Inverters normally include a basic readout of how much energy has been produced but to track the statistics of your system, most businesses opt for at least a basic solar monitoring system whose display device is located in the office or even retail area. Basic units can provide the amount of energy produced while more sophisticated units can analyze your production and determine whether the system is indeed operating properly. There are also third party monitoring services that link to your system remotely. Many of the advanced monitoring units provide the ability to access the data through personal computer software to generate detailed reports and even serve them online so you and your customers can see how your system is performing in real time.
Benefits of a Commercial Installation
Solar electricity has many advantages for a business. Among the most important are:
- Lower power bills
- A great return on your investment
- Increasing your business's value
- Doing what is right for the environment
- Supporting the Country
Lower Power Bills
Net Metering
A solar electric system will immediately reduce your electric bill and, depending on the size of your system, may eliminate it entirely due to the nifty "Net Metering" policies adopted by the State of New Jersey. Any excess power your system generates is fed back to the utility grid and you receive credit for this excess that can be used to offset the electricity you pull off the utility grid when your business uses more power than your system can generate such as at night or during very cloudy weather. If you have any excess at the end of an annual period, the utility will reimburse you at their avoided cost rate. This rate is approximately 8 cents per kWh, less than current rates but definitely better than if it the value of any excess were to revert to the utility. Most businesses use more power than can be supported by a solar electric system especially in multi-story buildings. For businesses with large unused ground areas or brownfields, it is often cost-effective to ground-mount systems.
Locked-In Rates and Predictability
You won't need a crystal ball to predict what your future electric rates will be since your business will be generating its own power for the next 25 to 35 years. It will be locking-in the price of power and we all know power prices are expected to increase so it's a no-brainer that it will be saving in the future.
A Great Return on Your Investment
With available Federal and State incentives such as the new 30% Federal Grant for businesses and solar renewable energy credits that can be sold on the open market, a solar electric system has the potential to be a profitable investment. Although smaller business system continue to enjoy a New Jersey upfront incentive, they will eventually be reduced and/or eliminated. Now is the best time to invest in a solar system while incentives are high and alternatives for your investment dollars are showing low returns.
The OnPeak Solar Equation
The return on your investment is dependent on a number of factors or variables that go into what we like to call the "OnPeak Solar Equation" the sum of which provides the highest return on investment (or alternatively the lowest cost per generated kWh of electricity). The variables are:
- How much sun your location receives
- Your utility power prices
- The size and efficiency of your solar electric system
- The available incentives from government or other sources
With the equation, a solar electric system in New Jersey can easily outperform the return on investment capable with a system sited in a state with excellent solar resources such as Arizona. This is because the power prices and available state incentives in New Jersey are much higher than those in Arizona. Another example is tracking systems which can improve dramatically the power generated and significantly decrease the cost per kWh of the generated electricity. If your business is contemplating a ground installation, trackers should be investigated.
The Payback Illusion - Let's Focus on ROI
Many solar professionals and their counterparts in the utility and financial circles like to equate the term Payback with the Return on Investment you'll see on your system, but the terms are completely different. The term Payback reflects the period of time required in years to recover the cost of a solar electric system and is simply the number of years it takes for the sum of the financial benefits associated with a solar electric system to equal the expenditures made to that date. Unfortunately, this metric does not take into account the time value of money (present value factors), inflation in electric power prices and system maintenance costs, and the effect of taxes. More importantly, Payback completely ignores the value of the electricity the system generates and the value of the solar renewable energy credits created after the Payback point. These can be substantial for a system with a 25 to 35 year life.
Payback is an acceptable method for comparing one solar electric system to another but when deciding whether an investment in a system has a greater return potential than a traditional investment in securities, other property, or collectables, we must take into account both the time value of money (inflation) and the effect of taxes. Your OnPeak representative can help you sort this out but if your finances are complex you may need to pull in your legal and financial advisors to make the proper decision.
Increasing Your Business's Value
A solar electric system can improve the value of your business through reduced expenses and the stabilizing of future costs. The positive marketing aspects are limitless. Environmental awareness has become almost expected thereby placing a business at a disadvantage if it has not taken steps to become green.
In addition, New Jersey provides a property tax exemption.
Doing What is Right for the Environment and Supporting the Country
By avoiding electricity produced from fossil fuels, your business's system when combined with all the systems throughout the world will have a dramatic positive impact on the environment. Utility plants that burn coal and other fossil fuels create significant air pollution and contaminate soils. Even nuclear power has its disadvantages with regard to the long-term storage of spent radioactive material.
Using solar avoids the creation of smog, acid rain, and greenhouse gases helping to slow global warming and the negative health affects associated with the burning of fossil fuels. Putting your solar electric system in place is like planting a forest of trees.
A solar electric system provides your business with increased energy independence from foreign oil sources. Distributed power also reduces the amount of utility infrastructure needed throughout the country eliminating the energy required to produce the equipment as well as the energy lost by transmission of electricity over long distances.
Incentives for Commercial Solar Installations
Thanks to some great Federal and State incentives for businesses, the funds required to invest in a solar electric system (and be energy independent and green all at the same time) are now very low! Federal incentives will be around for a while but State rebate incentives continue to decline. To take advantage of them, you need to call us now to get your application paperwork submitted.
For businesses there are three incentives that currently apply and we'll go into detail here on each of them but to understand the full impact on your business you'll have to schedule a site visit at which one of our representatives can help you better understand the specifics:
- Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit & Federal Grant
- State Rebate (No Longer Available)
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (generation based incentive)
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit
For businesses, 2009 Federal ITC legislation provides a strong incentive to acquire a solar electric system. With the availablity of the alternative Federal grant, businesses don't require taxable income to take advantage of this solar incentive. The Federal legislation provides for:
- A 30% investment tax credit for solar property available through December 31, 2016, however, the business can opt for a 30% Federal grant if the system is placed in service by 2010.
- There is no maximum limitation on the credit.
- Allows the use of the credit to offset AMT liability.
- Allows any unused credits to be carried forward up to 20 years.
The credit is calculated based on the business's expenditure for the solar equipment and installation. The accelerated 5 year depreciation schedule is available, however, the basis of the solar property will be reduced by 50% of the ITC or grant. Accordingly, depreciable basis is reduced to 85% of the system's cost.
State of New Jersey Rebate
Background
The State of New Jersey's Clean Energy Program had instituted a Renewable Energy Incentive Program or REIP which offered up-front incentives to businesses who buy their electricity from NJ public utilities when these businesses invest in solar electricity systems. This rebate is no longer available and the primary incentive is currently the SREC.
Example
For a 25 kW installation the rebate would be $0. An investment for a 25 kW system might be $125,000 and with the availability of the Federal grant of $37,500, the actual expenditure would amount to only $87,500.
The basis for accelerated depreciation will be $106,250 which reflects a reduction in the total investment by 50% of the ITC or grant taken. Depending on your business's tax rates, the depreciation can recover a sizable portion of the initial investment outlay.
Depending on orientation of the solar panels, such a system would be expected to generate almost 30,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year and at current rates reflects approximately $4,000 of avoided electricity cost. Without taking into the account the positive effects of depreciation and the negative effects of a reduction in deductibe expense arising from avoided costs, it is clear that the payback on the solar investment may be 10 years or more.
That doesn't sound very good and is one of the reason's solar was not very attractive before big rebates were around and when the panels were even more expensive. But New Jersey doesn't expect you to "Go Solar" with just rebates and avoided electric cost. They've created a generation based incentive method using Solar Renewable Energy Certificates to make it very attractive. Remember the details of this example as we look next at the primary financial incentive for Going Solar: the SREC.
Note: The NJ rebate is generally taxable for businesses and as such the amount of the rebate is not deducted from the total system cost to determine the amount eligible for the Federal investment tax credit or grant. The reduction in basis for accelerated depreciation as a result of an ITC or grant is well understood. For the purposes of our example, OnPeak has taken a conservative approach, however, there are always varying interpretations of the tax code. OnPeak advises you to consult with your tax and legal advisors to confirm the financial and tax implications of your solar investment. In proposal comparison, a business may find some installers providing more aggressive calculations. It is important to remember that the business will be filing its own tax return and that the installer can not and will not be guaranteeing any aggressive positions they may have presented to you in a proposal. Aggressive tax positions, high power generation, and high inflation assumptions are typical methods used to inflate system returns and you should be wary of such practices.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates
Background
While the first incentive under The State of New Jersey's Clean Energy Program - Renewable Energy Incentive Program or REIP is the now eliminated up-front rebate, the second, and always more motivating incentive, is the sale of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates or sometimes called Credits or Green Credits. These certificates are created through the generation of solar electricity and are considered a production based incentive.
New Jersey and other states have created Renewable Portfolio Standards or RPS's. The New Jersey RPS requires utilities in the state to obtain 22.5% of their power from renewables by 2021 of which 2.12% needs to be from solar electric system. 2% does not sound like much but could reach 1,500 mW of installed capacity or 200,000 average residential installations. In order to meet their RPS requirements, the utilities purchase SRECs from homeowners and business which have solar electric systems and are generating SRECs. If they don't purchase the SRECs, there is a minimum value per Megawatt Hour (mWh or 1,000 Kilowatt Hours) they need to pay to the state called a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) whose value is $711 for 2009. It is expected that SRECs will trade in the open market at approximately $100 below the SACP, however, the values could fluctuate depending on the number of SRECs available. The state has set a fixed SACP value schedule for the next 8 years.
For every mWh generated by the business's system, one SREC will be provided by New Jersey to the business which it can then trade(sell) to the utility that needs it to meet their RPS requirements. Companies and even individuals can purchase SRECs which allows anyone who purchases an SREC to say they use solar power and are "green". If your business sells all its SRECs, technically it cannot state that uses green power (even if it uses all the power that it generates in its facility) but it can say it hosts a system which is just as good for its bottom line as it is for the environment. The business can also just retire its SRECs (not sell them) and in that case it can say it uses solar power and is "green". SRECs are created for 15 years, however, after that period the system can still create Renewable Energy Credits and the business will be able to trade them on their respective market.
Requirements
To trade SRECs to third parties the following is required:
- A REC (renewable energy credit) account on the PJM-EIS Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS for short). We'll help sign you up for one.
- The SREC itself
Most business will need to either self report their actual production and some will require electronic automatic reporting if their systems are large.
Example Continuation
To continue our original example above, the business has invested about $87,500 in its system and expects to see $4,000 of savings each year from avoiding its electric bill for a total of $100,000 in savings over the 25 year life of its system. We'll ignore any inflation and tax effects for now but we all know that the $4,000 annually might be double or triple in 25 years.
If the 25 kW system generates approximately 30 mWh over the course of the year, the system would create 30 SRECs. Over the course of the next 15 years at a conservative SREC value of $450, the business would have traded almost $202,500 of SRECs.
So between SREC and avoided electric cost the business has received almost $302,500 of cash on its initial investment of $87,500 (after tax credit or grant) plus the benefit of accelerated depreciation in the first 6 years.
Note: there are varying interpretations on whether SREC sales represent taxable income. OnPeak advises you to consult with your tax and legal advisors to confirm the financial and tax implications SREC sale proceeds. Some installers will definitively state that SREC sales are not taxable, however, the NJ Clean Energy SREC Frequently Asked Questions web site does not provide an answer and specifically advises that you should ask your accountant the following questions:
Is the money from the sale of SREC's treated as taxable income?
Should I provide my Social Security number to a company that sends me a 1099? and
What kinds of deductions do I qualify for?
As we stated previously, you will be filing your tax return and that the installer can not and will not be guaranteeing the non-taxability of SREC sales they have presented to you in a proposal. Your total solar investment before any State rebate and Federal ITC should be your point of comparison on the same basic system when evaluating one system or installer against another. Aggressive tax positions, high power generation, and high inflation assumptions are typical methods used to inflate system returns and you should be wary of such practices.
Financing for Commercial Solar Installations
Focus on solar and renewable energy has prompted support by many financial institutions and utilities. Some of the most popular financing alternatives available are outlined below. We can assist you in determining which program is most advantageous and also help you through the financing process:
Loans
Other than an outright purchase of a system, obtaining a loan from a financial institution or other source generally provides the most benefit to the system owner from a return perspective. With the Federal Grant, there is no need for the system owner to generate taxable income to be able to use the Investment Tax Credit.
Leases and Power Purchase Agreements
Operating and capital lease programs are available for solar equipment. A popular alternative for large systems is the Power Purchase Agreement or PPA. Also known as a SSA or Solar Services Agreement, it is a contract between the owner of solar electric system and a user of electricity produced by that system. The user hosts the system on their property, whether roof or ground mounted. Because of the limited or no capital required from a user, such agreements have become attractive to users seeking alternatives to purchasing or leasing a system. It is a relatively new concept primarily geared toward businesses with large installations as the costs associated with the legal and financial structures required to implement the agreements are significant.
PSE&G Solar Loan Program
PSEG has committed to provide loans for commercial installations. What makes the program unique is that the borrower can pay the loan with SRECs (solar renewable energy credits) or cash.
The program features:
- a loan term of 15 years
- an interest rate of 11.11%
- loan value of 40% to 50% of system cost depending upon the amount of energy the system is expected to generate (amount should be sufficient to cover most systems once the Federal credit or grant of 30% and the NJ Rebate are taken into account).
The system is used to collateralize the loan and the business must reside in the PSEG service territory. The program is attractive because SRECs can be used to service the loan. The program appears to be fully commited but two additional programs are in the pipeline and should be introduced shortly. If the PSEG program is of interest to you, please discuss it with your OnPeak representative during your site visit. Details on the program can be found at www.pseg.com/slp.
Implementation Steps
The process of acquiring a solar electric system is rather straightforward. Although each installation will be different, the following can be expected the following to occur:
- Feasibility Evaluation
- Initial Site Visit
- System Design and Quote
- Contract, Rebate Application, and Permits
- Equipment Acquisition
- Installation
- Inspection
- Rebate Request and Wrap-Up
If at any time during the process you have questions or concerns you can contact your installation manager to assist you!
Remember, It's Just That Easy!
1. Feasibility Evaluation
When you first call On Peak, we'll collect some information to see if solar is right for you. They're easy questions including letting us know where you live, your utility provider name, and what your approximate bill is for electricity. We'll analyze this information and review a satellite image of your business to give you an initial assessment. Often the whole process can be done while you're on the phone and you'll know where you stand at the end of the call. Many businesses can accommodate solar and so it's likely we'll schedule a site visit.
Unless you have a significant amount of roof shading or have a business with very poor roof orientation, solar will work for you. Your electric bills should be significant (above a few $100 per month) but small installations can also make sense. There are a lot of details in designing and installing the right system for you, but don't worry, we'll do most of the work and guide you all the way to make the right decisions.
2. Initial Site Visit
During the site visit, an OnPeak representative will review your property to determine the best location for your system and also perform an energy review to determine what system size is most appropriate. We'll need a current electric bill to do the analysis. We'll use some shading analysis instruments to optimize the location of your panels.
We'll also bring along manufacturer literature for you to review and examples of panels and other equipment so you'll have a first hand look at what's going on your roof. If possible, you'll want everyone involved in the decision making process at the site visit so that we can answer any questions so you don't have to!
3. System Design and Proposal
During the site visit, the OnPeak representative will put together a system design that will show you the details of your photovoltaic system and its expected performance. We'll also go through the available Federal and New Jersey incentives to give you an understanding of what your out of pocket costs will be for the investment. We'll also give you a good primer on the production based incentives (SRECs) you'll receive on the electricity you generate. Much of this information is also available on the incentive page of our web site.
We'll also visit the concept of Payback with you, but, more importantly, we'll calculate what the expected Return on Investment is on your system. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much your profit can be under the current incentives and that's one of the reasons you'll want to get your system sooner rather than later.
4. Contract, Rebate Application, and Permits
If your happy with our proposal, we'll prepare a contract that includes all the pertinent details and collect a deposit. We'll also prepare the paperwork needed for you to obtain approval for federal and state incentives. We will also process the municipal permit and the utility interconnection paperwork that allows your system to be connected to the utility grid.
5. Equipment Acquisition
Generally, it takes four to five weeks to receive your approvals on the rebate, the interconnection agreement and your municipal permits. Once we have all the approvals, we'll order your system. It usually takes a week or two to receive everything but once it's all in, we'll schedule the installation with you. Just prior to the installation date, OnPeak will deliver all the materials to your business to insure that your installation will go smoothly.6. Installation
During installation our crew simultaneously installs the panels on the roof and your inverter along with all other required electrical connections. Depending on the size of your system, this may take a number of days or weeks.
As for any major work done to your business, we should be able to contact you during construction in case there are any questions or access issues.
7. Inspection
In order to start up your system and begin feeding electricity into your business and onto the grid, we'll schedule inspections with both your local code official (municipality) and the utility and be on site to demonstrate the system, answer any questions, and resolve any issues if they should appear. We may need access to the inside of the businesst. Once the system has been approved by both parties, we can make your system live.
At this point, we'll show you the details of your system and explain how everything will operate. If you have opted for an external monitoring and reporting system, we'll show you how to use it.
You're now generating electricity for your business and if you have any excess generation that will feed back onto the grid.
There's still one more inspection to go because to qualify for the New Jersey rebate and to generate SRECs, your system will need to be independently inspected. We'll schedule this inspection and be on site.
8. Rebate Request and Wrap-Up
After inspections, we submit the rebate paperwork to get your payment. You can assign the rebate to us and that way you won't have to pay us and wait for it to arrive. We'll also set up your account with GATS to begin generating and selling your solar renewable energy credits (SREC's).
Yep, it was just that easy ...
Getting Started
To schedule a site visit and receive a free quote please give us a call at 856-468-2355, e-mail us at sales@onpeaksolar.com, or complete the contact form below. A representative will contact you to provide information and perform an evaluation over the phone to determine whether you're a candidate to Go Solar.