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How Much Money Can You Make From Solar Panels?
Jan 03, 2023

Solar panels offer businesses a unique opportunity to reduce energy costs and increase profits.

But how much money can you make from solar panels?

The answer depends on many factors, but the consensus is that businesses can save significant money by investing in solar electricity.

Let’s look at how much money businesses can make by leveraging the sun's power. 

Solar Panels - Operating and Investments

Before getting into How much you can make off solar panels, you should have more details on "2 Hows".

  • How much cost do you incur on a Solar Panel?
  • How do they work or operate?

You will find answers to just these questions in this section.

How Do Solar Panels Work? 

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductors such as silicon, which absorb the energy from the sun’s rays in the solar energy industry.

The energy is converted into direct current (DC) electricity, which is then changed into alternating current (AC) electricity through an inverter.

The AC electricity can then be used to power your business or sent back to the grid if you take advantage of net metering policies. 

Costs Associated With Solar Panels 

The cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on a variety of factors, including

  • The size and type of system you need
  • The number of panels you install
  • Where your business is located.

However, in most cases, businesses should expect to spend between $15,000-$20,000 (which is just an estimate) on installation costs alone. That doesn’t include any additional fees or taxes that may apply to your area. 

Additionally, businesses should be aware that there are ongoing maintenance costs associated with solar panel systems—typically around $500-$1000 per year (again, an estimate)—as well as periodic repairs or replacements that may be required over time. 

Should you be worried?

The good news is that, in many cases, these upfront costs can be offset by tax credits or other incentives offered by local governments or utility companies.

Additionally, many businesses in the solar industry find they can make up the difference in installation costs within a few years simply by taking advantage of lower electricity bills thanks to their solar panel system. 

Solar panels offer numerous advantages for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact and save money over time.

While an initial investment is involved in solar panel installation, there are incentives and many ways to make money using solar panels.

An Overview of Solar Panel Revenue Opportunities 

After reading the costs associated with Solar Panels installation, you probably wonder, How much money can you make from solar panels?

To answer that, we think solar power companies can maximise their return on investments in this technology by understanding the different ways solar energy can be used. 

The cost of solar energy produced has dropped by over 70% in the last ten years, making it an attractive option for businesses looking for ways to save money.

But how much money can you make from solar panels installed? Let’s take a closer look. 

Using Solar Panels to Generate Electricity 

The most obvious use of solar energy is to generate electricity. Installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on your property allows you to capture sunlight, convert it into usable electricity and, in turn, save on electricity generated.

Revenue from Selling Excess Electricity

Depending on local regulations and incentives, businesses may be able to sell any excess energy they generate back to the grid, thus providing a potential source of revenue. 

Tax or Rebate Incentives

Incentives such as tax credits or rebates are available for businesses looking to install solar panels.

This can help offset some of the costs associated with installation, making it more financially feasible for companies considering investing in solar power.

Net Metering

Net metering is another way to make money from solar panels. Net metering allows customers with renewable energy systems such as solar panels to sell any excess electricity solar panels produce back to their utility companies at retail rates rather than wholesale rates, which would be much lower.

This means that if you generate more power than you use during peak hours or sunny days when demand is high, you will receive extra money for selling solar power back to the grid. 

Additionally, many utilities offer time-of-use billing plans that pay more for power generated during peak hours than off-peak times.

If you install a storage system such as batteries with your solar system, you can store excess power when demand is low and sell it back at higher prices when demand is high. 

This can significantly boost profits from solar power generation by community solar farms. 

Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) Trading 

One way to monetize your solar panels is to participate in SREC trading.

In this system, electricity providers are required to buy a certain amount of renewable energy credits each year, and they have to purchase them from renewable sources.

If they don't meet these requirements, they will face hefty fines.

By selling your SRECs, you can make money while helping out electricity providers who need credits quickly. 

The amount of money you can make will depend on the market price for SRECs in your area and the size of your solar installation.

Generally speaking, each megawatt-hour of electricity your system generates will generate one SREC credit.

The average price for SRECs in the United States is around $20 per credit; however, it can vary depending on where you live and what incentives are available in your state. 

Solar Thermal Energy Systems 

Another option is using thermal energy systems that capture and store heat generated by the sun’s rays instead of generating electricity directly.

Solar thermal systems use special collectors that absorb heat from sunlight and transfer it into a liquid or gas medium like water or air.

This heated liquid or gas can then be used for various applications such as space heating, hot water, pool heating, drying clothes, etc., providing additional opportunities for businesses to save energy costs and increase their bottom-line profits. 

Utilizing Solar Energy in the above-mentioned ways can help a business maximize their return on investment in solar panels both through:

  • Direct electrical generation and
  • By Utilizing thermal energy systems for space heating or hot water needs.

Investing in solar panels is an environmentally-friendly decision and financially beneficial for businesses looking for ways to save money and maximize their ROI in terms of monthly energy costs.

Now, a few ways to make money on solar panels also suggest "cost savings", How exactly do you save on Solar Panels? Let us see.

Solar Panels: A Guide to Potential Savings 

With the proper setup, we believe solar panels can generate renewable energy while drastically reducing electricity costs, which is a simple case of Savings = Revenue.

So, How much money can you save on solar panels? Let’s break it down. 

Calculating Your Savings 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to calculating potential savings from solar panels—it all depends on factors such as:

  • Location
  • Climate
  • Building type and size
  • Energy efficiency measures are taken before installation and more.

That said, most businesses will see a return on investment within Three to Five years after installation, thanks to lower electricity bill and other incentives. 

Tax Benefits of Solar Panels 

In addition to potential savings on electricity bills and other incentives available through net metering programs and government rebates, businesses may also be eligible for tax benefits such as accelerated depreciation or investment tax credits (ITCs), as discussed above.

These incentives can further reduce the cost of installing solar panels in any given year—which means more money in your pocket in the long run.

Conclusion

Solar panels are a significant investment. However, you probably discovered different ways to make money, turning it into a win-win while contributing positively towards climate change.

Lower electricity bills and various tax benefits are just numbered ways to save or make money off solar panels.

However, researching before committing is vital to know the savings or revenue you can expect once everything is up and running.

About Sunbase

Sunbase helps solar companies succeed through a suite of Solar CRM tools like Solar Lead Management Software, Solar Proposal Software, etc.! To book your free demo or an appointment, contact us here!

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