Commercial Solar and Energy Storage Systems Questions Answered

174 Power Global is headquartered in Irvine, California and midtown Manhattan, New York. It is the leading solar energy company that is wholly owned by Hanwha Energy Corporation. The company has deep expertise across the complete project development cycle and works closely with landowners, local communities, financial investors, and other partners to build highly productive, utility-scale solar power plants and commercial/industrial projects throughout North America. Since its formation in 2017, 174 Power Global has signed nearly 2 gigawatts (GW) of power purchase agreements and has more than 8 GW of additional projects in the development pipeline. The company was ranked 2018’s #1 solar project development company by project size in the United States by Wood Mackenzie. 

Hanwha is a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of Korea’s Top 10 business enterprises. As an affiliate of Hanwha Group, Hanwha Energy USA (dba 174 Power Global) offers an integrated solar plant solution from development, financing, engineering, procurement and construction to Independent Power Producer ownership, operation and maintenance. With the experience in solar energy, Hanwha Energy is expanding its energy territory from PV to energy storage and strengthening competence in the energy-storage sector.

174 Power Global’s name was inspired by the 174 petawatts (PW) of power the earth receives from the sun at any moment. The petawatt is equal to a quadrillion (10¹⁵) watts.

Photovoltaics transform sunlight into electricity. Solar cells in solar panels, or modules, create direct current electricity (DC) and wires carry that electricity to inverters which convert DC to an alternating current to match the frequency and voltage supplied by the power grid.

For most companies, the biggest motivation to go solar is the money they’ll save by reducing monthly power bills and freeing up capital that can be diverted elsewhere or added to their bottom line. Current commercial solar incentives, like the 26% federal investment tax credit, make the savings even better.

Some companies are also looking to improve employee and customer amenities by adding covered parking. Solar shade structures are a great way to turn a shaded parking addition into a savings generator for your business.

Finally, going solar also has a positive community impact as well. Solar will reduce your operation’s carbon footprint in a time when many employees and customers list environmental stewardship as a critical motivator for where they chose to work or do business.

Solar energy makes a statement about your company that says you care about the environment, are forward thinking, and want to attract and retain customers and employees who share these values.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all option for commercial solar. Every system is unique. Arriving at a price begins with your goals and incorporates key structural details such as roof space and any necessary infrastructure additions. Would you like to add solar parking canopies as part of your plan, or are you looking for a rooftop array? Do you use more energy at night or during the day? Do you have a tax liability that can be impacted by solar incentives? All of these factors and many more will dictate upfront cost and energy production potential. A 174 Power Global consultant will be able to guide you through the process and ultimately refine a savings and cost estimate that aligns precisely with your goals and facility.  

This question is dependent on several factors like the size of your building, how much energy your company is currently using, and what percentage of your current electricity usage you want to offset.  174 Power Global will help you determine what size system is right for your company and its specific goals.

Many factors contribute to your operation’s savings potential with solar. The biggest being how much energy your business uses throughout the day and what time that consumption is at its peak. These two factors alone show us the potential for energy offset, as well as the price you are currently paying for utility power purchased. From there we look at roof space and general facility infrastructure. The more panels your building can accommodate, the greater the savings potential. In short, arriving at a savings estimate is simply a matter of adding up your total energy use, and then subtracting the production potential offered by your rooftop space. Secondary considerations include panel efficiency, roof orientation, and energy prices in your area.

While this might have held some truth in the earlier days of solar energy adoption, prices have remained relatively stable in recent years. Solar panel performance is now so efficient that future improvements are likely to be more incremental.

It’s important to remember that pricing and efficiency are only one part of the solar investment equation. Right now, there are lucrative federal solar incentives that will decrease dramatically in the next two years. Combine these with increasing utility prices, and the real question becomes: how much money does your company stand to lose while waiting for small improvements in pricing and efficiency?

Nearly all buildings are compatible with solar, so long as the roof is structurally sound and has enough space to accommodate panels and racking. For smaller facilities with limited roof space, ground mounts or solar carports are a good alternative. You must own the building. If you are leasing the facility, the installation would need to be approved by the building owner.

The three most popular ways to pay for a commercial solar system fall into one, or a combination of, the following options: cash, loans, or a PPA/SSA. We recommend choosing a cash purchase whenever possible as it offers the most favorable returns, simplifies ownership, and maximizes solar tax incentives.

Second to cash, low-interest loans, or lines of credit offer the next best ROI on your solar investment. We recommend financing only the necessary portion of the net cost after incentives to achieve the best payback.

Power purchase agreements (PPAs), also known as solar service agreements, are a common way to finance solar installations at commercial and institutional facilities in certain states. 174 Power Global offers PPA programs exclusively for qualified 501 (c)(3) non-profits, municipalities, and schools.

The three most common commercial solar incentives are the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), MACRS investment depreciation, and USDA REAP grants.

The ITC will offset up to 26% of a commercial solar purchase in the form of a federal tax credit. To qualify for the ITC, a business must have a tax liability upon filing. The 26% tax credit is available through 2022. It will decrease again to 22% in 2023 before landing at 10% for commercial solar customers beginning January 1, 2024.

MACRS investment depreciation is available for every commercial solar system. This is a method of depreciation in which a business’ investments are recovered for tax purposes over a specified period via annual deductions.

Available to agricultural producers, USDA REAP grants are available in select rural towns across the country with a population below a certain threshold and covers 25% of a solar investment up to $500,000 for qualifying businesses.

In addition to these, a few local utilities and municipalities offer incentive programs of their own that can be added for even more savings. A knowledgeable commercial solar installer will be able to communicate the options available in your area.

Follow this link to learn more about commercial solar incentives in your state.

There are many different panels your company can choose. Size, price, wattage, warranty, durability, and manufacturer stability are all critical considerations when evaluating the best fit. Lower wattage panels usually come at a lower price point, so if roof space isn’t an issue, you may find that a larger number of lower-wattage panels strikes the perfect balance between price and return. Conversely, if your building has limited roof space, a higher wattage panel will produce more energy from a smaller footprint. A knowledgeable commercial solar consultant will be able to explore the various price options and savings scenarios.

174 Power Global operates a full in-house Operations and Maintenance division that facilitates OEM hardware warranties per each manufacturer’s terms. Most panels are covered for 25 – 30 years, with inverter warranties typically covering 10 years.  In addition, all SVSS Commercial systems come with a 2-year workmanship warranty that includes roof penetrations, where applicable. Our O&M department also offers customizable service options for non-SVSS solar energy systems.

The most critical step in any solar journey is first selecting a reputable partner. As this FAQ demonstrates, many variables can impact a commercial solar project’s success. A reputable solar installer will know exactly what to look out for while guiding you through the variables to a fully custom system that meets your project objectives.

Once you’ve decided to go solar, the process is generally broken into four phases. Timelines will vary depending on the complexity of the project and seasonal workload.

1. Due Diligence – This is the pre-planning phase designed to ensure a smooth construction process from beginning to end. During due diligence, your solar partner will perform a physical evaluation of the proposed site, including all utility interconnects. This phase also generally includes a legal review of title reports and other records.

2. Engineering and Design – Initial concepts and plans are refined into formalized design drawings that are submitted for necessary permits and approvals. Once approved, these drawings are considered final, and construction begins.

3. Construction & Commissioning – Construction generally lasts 5-12 weeks, but more complex projects can take longer. Careful planning ensures minimal disruptions to company operations. Once the utility confirms that the system was constructed according to plan and is operating within acceptable parameters, a permission to operate (PTO) is granted.

4. Operations & Maintenance – During this final phase, any O&M parameters established during the planning phase are put into action. A solid O&M plan will ensure longevity and optimal performance.

No, a solar energy system alone will not operate if the grid is down. The reasons for this are both technical and regulatory. That’s where batteries, also known as energy storage systems (ESS) come in. 

From a technical perspective, if the sun is shining overhead, solar panels will generate power regardless of how much electricity your operation is actually consuming. In a grid-connected system, excess solar power is sent back into the grid, and any additional power you need beyond what your panels are producing is pulled from the grid. Commercial solar aims to significantly reduce the amount of energy you need to purchase during the day, and in doing so, reduce operating expenses through a levelized cost of energy. 

Safety regulations are the second reason. During outages, repair crews could be jeopardized if there is a local power generator (like a solar array) leaking power back into the grid lines. For this reason, utility rules mandate that solar arrays must automatically shut down during outages. 

But energy storage systems combined with solar can power your building when the grid is down. Every building is different and every company’s backup requirements are unique. Call 174 Power Global today to find out more about how we can add resilience to your business. 

In addition to adding backup capabilities to your facility, energy storage systems can reduce your electric bills by lowering your demand charges (billed in kilowatts (kW)), allow you to switch to a cheaper electric tariff by time shifting your electric usage patterns, and participate in energy arbitrage, among other benefits. 

Batteries are installed outside the building (typically in a parking lot) and are protected by multiple redundant thermal suppression systems. If an individual cell should overheat, the actively monitored system isolates and disables the unit to reduce the risk of damage. 

The cells in energy storage systems are typically warranted for 10 years or more. Software protects them from overcharging, which dramatically increases useful life. Eventually, even the most gently used batteries will lose some strength. 174 Power Global incorporates useful battery life into the design and replacement of energy storage systems. 

Typically the size of one parking space is enough.