Commercial Grid Connect Solar Systems
Commercial Grid connect solar systems will produce up to 200kWh per day on average, or 300kWh in summer. Enough to power air-cons, pumps, coolers, motors, servers or entire office buildings.
The main difference between a commercial grid connect solar system and an ordinary rooftop solar system is its size. The physical size of the inverters is slightly larger, but these inverters connect to a lot more solar panels. Our largest system example incorporates 144 panels. Only very large sheds or industrial buildings will have enough surface area to mount that many panels. Ground mounted framing systems can also be used if roof space is not available.
Note: All commercial installations will require a site inspection.
53kW 3-Phase Solar System
This grid connect system features 144 Trina solar panels with a total of 53280 watts. On average, the panels will generate 213 kWh/day. If you manage to self-consume all of that power, you will save $27,000 each year (@ 35¢/kWh).
You will require about 280 square metres of roof space.
The 53kW System includes:
- 144 x 370W Trina Solar™ Honey Black Module® panels
- Clenergy cyclone-proof solar frame*
- SMA Tripower Core1 50kW solar inverter
- DC Isolators (IP66), breakers
- 10m DC cable, 20m AC cable, signage
- Installation** within 50km of Nimbin
Generally, installation takes 5 business day.
** on single storey building
Fast Return on Investment
We all use energy around the clock, but businesses typically use the vast majority during daytime hours. The prime candidates for a commercial solar power system are office buildings, manufacturing workshops, schools, or any other building where air-conditioners run during the day. Such businesses can cover +80% of their energy needs with a home-grown electricity.
The above data was taken from commercial premises that operate from 7am to 7pm. The grid-interactive solar power system, combined with a Tesla Powerwall2 battery, supplies most of the business' need.
The bigger the self consumption, the faster the system will pay for itself. A well designed commercial solar system may have a return on investment of as low as 2 years.
Other Incentives
Commercial solar systems up to 100kW (with approved panels and inverter) still generate STCs, e.g. the 144 panel solar system would currently create $17510 worth of STCs.
System Examples
The three system configurations are examples only. There are many other possible configurations, e.g. tilt frames (for flat roofs) or ground mount frames or even frames that serve as car ports.
Note: RPC will have to conduct a site inspection before a proper quote can be made.