In today’s world, many companies are starting to put mandates in place to reduce carbon emissions and footprints. Solar can be a great step in achieving these goals, but it should not always be the first step companies look to take.
Before solar is added to a facility, there are moves that can be implemented to reduce the amount of solar needed to meet energy needs. These changes can make a lot of financial sense. In some instances, these energy reduction choices can be more cost-effective than solar. Here are some potential upgrades to consider.
- What kind of lighting is utilized throughout the site? If fluorescent or incandescent lighting is still used, then it is time to make the switch to LED lighting. Even a single fixture upgrade can take you from 100 Watts to 7 Watts. Count the number of fixtures in your facility and you can see, it adds up to huge savings, fast!
- How weathertight is your building? Regular inspection of seals and caulking are important in the fight against energy consumption. In some instances, new doors and windows might be needed. Basic insulation of the building should also be reviewed to help seal the envelope of the site.
- How old is your HVAC system? Typical HVAC systems have a useful life of 15 to 25 years. Most facilities have been around longer than this timespan and the equipment might be near the end of its life and running inefficiently.
Incentives exist to help with these upgrades to a facility. For more details on these incentives, follow the link below:
Once you have taken measures to ensure the efficiency of your facility, then it is time to take a look at solar. Reevaluate energy usage after efficiency upgrades have happened and then look to solar to help further reduce your costs and carbon footprint.
VP & Director of Sales at Green Alternatives, Inc.
Cindy started as a consultant with Green Alternatives in 2009 and has moved into her current position within the last few years. She loves meeting with potential clients, answering their questions, and ultimately designing a PV solar system that meets their needs and goals.