Why Does Solar Take So Long?
More and more businesses are going solar
Commercial solar makes up more than 14% of all solar capacity in the United States - and it’s growing. More than half of that capacity was installed in just the past two years, and industry estimates predict commercial capacity will double again in the next three years. With 27 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in the pipeline, there looks to be no end of this growth in sight, as more and more businesses choose to invest in long-term energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.
But growth comes with growing pains, and solar projects are taking longer and longer to get approved, permitted, and interconnected. Because of these delays, solar projects took an average of five years to get from proposal to interconnection in 2022, compared to two years in the 2010s. As more projects come online, those delays could only grow in the future. Because of these macro forces beyond any developer’s control, in order to reap the countless benefits a solar energy system can offer, NOW is the best time to go solar.
Distributed generation is the future
As renewable energy resources comprise more and more of the United States’ energy footprint, commercial installations are expected to play a driving role in increased solar capacity. According to rooftop availability calculations from Michelle Davis, a principal analyst at the energy research consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, commercial solar capacity has the potential to grow to as much as 145 GW - enough energy to power 28 million homes, and a number your business could play a part in.
With the amount of capital unlocked by the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, reaching this capacity has become even more feasible for businesses around the country. Thanks to the extended and expanded Investment Tax Credit, which provides a 30% credit on the installation cost of a solar array, in addition to provisions like tax credit transferability and direct-pay options, there is plenty of financial support available to your business.
Once the system is online, your business immediately starts benefitting from clean solar energy at a locked-in rate. On average, businesses with solar systems save 75% on their electricity bills. Pair that with an energy storage battery, and your business can rely on energy even when the sun goes down, and even if the grid does too.
But to save that money, you have to play the game first. Getting a solar system from the starting gun to the finish line involves a lot of planning, coordination, and execution.
Elements of the process
The three general steps in the process are the preliminary site evaluation and system design, the construction of the system, and interconnection to the grid. Each of these phases requires careful navigation through local and federal policy, financial considerations, and technical complications, so having a reliable and reputable partner throughout the process is crucial.
Site evaluation
During this step of the process, Promise’s team of long-time industry experts conducts a comprehensive audit of the facility, including building energy consumption data and operational equipment. The engineers at Promise then design a completely integrated solar system to suit your business’s exact needs.
Building the system itself
Once Promise has conducted a comprehensive audit of your business and its facilities and designed an integrated solution, the process moves on to the construction of the system itself. Promise uses only the most cutting edge technology, and emphasizes safety, quality, and teamwork through the entire process. Plus, Promise’s policy expertise means your company can take full advantage of the ITC’s apprentice and prevailing wage labor incentive laws.
The final boss: Grid interconnection
So, your integrated solar system is designed, built, and ready to be brought online. All that stands in the way is interconnection. Here is where the notorious grid delays come into play. With as many systems there are vying for a spot on the grid, this could take months, and even years.
While Promise easily handles every aspect of a client’s solar journey, the biggest hurdle is the time delay during interconnection. Because of macro forces at play at the utility scale, every solar customer has to deal with the delays of interconnection, but working with an experienced partner can make the rest of the process a breeze. To get online as soon as possible, you have to get started as soon as possible. It’s as simple as that.
Our Integrated Approach
At Promise Energy, we understand that every facility has unique needs, especially when it comes to solar, storage, and the interconnection process. Promise’s integrated approach to energy is what differentiates us from the crowd, and you can count on our energy experts to custom-design a system to meet the unique energy needs for your business.
Contact Promise Energy at info@promiseenergy.com for a complimentary energy evaluation of your facility.
At Promise Energy, we don’t believe that one size fits all. We pride ourselves in designing and installing customized energy solutions that provide the greatest long-term value and energy control for our customers.