The costs of traditional power usage is going up, with no end in sight. In late 2017, it was reported that electricity costs had risen to the second highest level they’ve been in 13 years. Some businesses are spending a substantial amount per month on power - but solar can help.
Solar enables huge savings on utility costs and provides power to essential business functions, from running computer servers, and large electronics, through to lighting, refrigeration and heating.
With the right solar system, businesses can shift what they would once spend on energy bills into other areas of the business that need it most. Solar power fixes power costs for 20-25 years at a low, very slowly-appreciating rate. The more you pay per kilowatt of energy now, the more you can expect a cash-neutral result with solar.
With leasing and finance options you could even be immediately cash-positive.
To be forward thinking and innovative, companies need to be committed to developing their business with unique practices. Structuring your business with sustainable practices is one way to do this.
Switching to solar also allows you to lead the charge in your business community towards a greener New Zealand - initiatives that aren’t just good for your business, but the environment as well. Solar is a renewable energy which contributes to a lower carbon footprint, as well as less water pollution and waste from the by-products of fossil fuel consumption.
Solar panel systems can last 25 years or more, with minimal maintenance required, helping improve your ongoing operating costs. And with the increased capital that solar makes available, you’ll be freer to make new investments and focus on business growth.
*Based on 25c per/kw unit and 4.8kw daylight hours
Forward thinking companies aren’t just thinking about their bottom line, they’re also aware of cultivating a healthy brand perception. Customer loyalty and employee engagement can only increase if the perception of your brand is positive.
These days, a clean, green image plays a big part in nurturing that perception.
Consumers enjoy dealing with brands they trust - businesses whose values are in line with their own. As more and more Kiwis invest in renewable energy and sustainable practices, eco-friendly brands will gain an edge.
Using solar energy is a powerful way to attract those customers and distinguish your business from those less innovative.
Renewables are the wave of the future:
Getting ahead of the curve now can help position your brand as an eco-savvy market leader.
According to the 2016 Deloitte Millennial Survey, 25% of millennial workers would quit their jobs within one year, and only 16% expect to stay with their employers within a decade. Businesses that are socially and environmentally conscious are more likely to draw and retain more savvy, socially-aware workers
Running your company on solar could make all the difference. You’ll be seen as a modern and innovative business, helping you lift your brand perception and attract the best talent.
Even if you don’t own your building, you can still often make solar work. You may have one or more of these options at your disposal:
Negotiating with your building’s owner to buy the solar system from you.
Transferring lease repayments to the next tenant.
Taking the solar system with you when you leave.
Bringing your whole building together to go green.
On an initial consult, the consultant will learn how your business runs and help determine a satisfactory ROI from solar.
The solar company will then review your power bills from the past 12 months to assess your energy demand patterns throughout the year, so they can design your system to yield the best power savings.
Note: If you’re efficient with power usage, you could end up earning credits by sending extra energy to the grid.
Once you sign off on the contract, network approvals come next — the solar company should handle the process on your behalf.
Then comes the installation of your system. Your company should create a schedule of the end to end process which will help your business be prepared and continue to operate as per normal.
Solar power is more than just a way to give your bottom line a huge boost. It can provide a serious competitive edge in terms of potential consumers and job seekers. And it makes you a leader in clean energy while unshackling your business from reliance on costly, dwindling fossil fuels.
To learn how well your company is likely to perform with solar energy, ask about our performance guarantee. Take the first step today towards realising your company’s potential as a solar-smart New Zealand enterprise.
As well as helping your business capture energy from the sun, we’ll set you up with smart tools to make the best use of it.
Simply login to our easy-to-use portal to see how much energy your solar panels are generating. You’ll also get an indication of the money your solar system has saved you. The World Solar portal is cloud-based so you can check energy production and usage at all your sites, any time you like.
