Should your company be going solar now or solar later?

Most people go solar primarily for financial reasons. Others go solar for environmental benefits. Choosing the right time for solar can make or break the positive outcomes, especially on the commercial side. Besides the financial payback, many other hidden gems are discovered when going solar. Tax credits can be applied when purchasing a solar system, and overall economic savings can be earned.

Going Solar Now

The Environment

When transitioning to solar, companies can reduce their carbon footprint by preventing greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. Installing onsite solar energy has an enormous impact since most commercial buildings emit a plentiful amount. By eliminating brown sources of energy and transitioning to green sources, onsite solar energy could appeal to the consumers that a business is vending to. Companies may be required to meet certain environmental standards or sustainability goals. Going solar now would be a good course of action if these standards are on the horizon for your company.

Brand Reputation

Solar panels on top of a large commercial building make a large statement; they are not easily hidden and therefore are visible to many. This can positively impact brand reputation and attract talented customers and employees. More and more employees are searching for potential work with the environment in mind. According to a recent Gallup poll, 69% note whether a company actively cares for the environment and 1 of 4 describe protecting the environment to be a major factor when considering employers.

The Technology

Since solar panel performance is stable, there won’t be any drastic change regarding the efficiency or technology of the panels. How they are now is how they will be in the future. Solar panels today are highly efficient and degrade at .5% year over year. Like the iPhone, every new model that comes out is only slightly different than the year before. Waiting to go solar because there may be a better solution is not a feasible argument. The technology is here now!

Start Investing Today

“Time is money,” and solar is costly. It is an investment; however traditional energy is an even greater expense for commercial companies. The average payback period for solar is between 6-12 years. Even less so when the incentives are as good as they are today.

Energy Bills on the Rise

Rates for commercial energy in the Midwest continue to rise as an increase in large commercial users put increase demand on the energy market. Within the past 25 years, the cost of utilities has risen annually by 3-6% and continues to grow parallel with global issues today. By going solar now, companies can avoid increased energy bills and save for other investments.

Stabilize Cashflow

As electric bills flow in, the energy is rented rather than owned. When installing a solar system, the energy is now owned by the building to which the solar is flowing to. Solar is a constant cash flow; the bill stays constant month to month when solar energy is incorporated. On the other hand, electricity rented from the utility is ever-changing and a variable in a company budget. No commercial business wants to overpay for energy when an abundant resource is available; especially if that energy was never theirs.

Incentives are dropping as Solar grows in popularity

As of now, there is still a 30% tax credit to be earned when going solar. For example, if an installation costs $100,000, there would be a $30,000 credit that would apply to a tax bill. For commercial solar whose bill would be well over $30,000, this would be a huge discount and create a large amount of savings. However, within the year of 2033, the tax credit is scheduled to drop down to 26% percent tax credit.

Going Solar Later

Whether the company has a huge tax bill in future years, or unrestricted space for solar isn’t yet available for a commercial business; other reasons to wait for solar include the position a company may be in.

Available Space

Solar panels take up a lot of space and if the roof is not sustainable to carry a heavy load, it would need to be reinforced or replaced. If a roof replacement is not in budget, extra space would be needed to install the panels. Not every company has that kind of real estate sitting around, or they could be renting the building, or moving buildings soon.

Thinking About the Tax Incentive

Is there an upcoming year where it would be useful to have the companies’ taxes lowered by 30-40%? The Solar Tax Credit allows you to take 30% of the cost of the system from taxes that are owed. There are additional 10% “bonus” adders based on various factors. If there is not that much tax liability this year, but rather an anticipation of having that tax liability in future years, it may make sense to wait to go solar in that tax year.

Conclusion

Overall, deciding whether to solar now or later is up to the company itself. There are arguments for both sides and it truly depends on where financially the business stands and what their goals are in the near future.

Benefits of Powering Your Electric Vehicle with Solar Energy

Before we get into how you can benefit from charging your EV with solar energy you should know how solar works.

The process begins as sunlight strikes the panels, generating direct current (DC) electricity. This energy is then converted into alternating current (AC),  used by the electrical network in your home to power appliances and your EV charging. It’s a clean, sustainable way to fuel your vehicle, harnessing renewable energy for a brighter, greener future.

Now, let’s explore the advantages of powering your EV with solar energy.

Cost Savings

Firstly, you can enjoy significant cost savings. When using electricity from your solar panels, you don’t have to rely on your utility company to fill your tank – this can save you hundreds of dollars a year. In that case, you can avoid that recurring expense entirely, keeping those savings for other essential needs or even investing in further sustainability measures for your home or vehicle.

Energy Independence

Another benefit of powering your Electric Vehicle with Solar Energy is your energy independence. You can reduce your reliance on the electricity grid by utilizing a renewable energy source to power your car, This gives you more control over your energy use. You can even add a battery to your system for power outages. Most EVs have a battery large enough to power different parts of your home; another plus is that, with solar storage, you can charge your EV during a grid outage with solar energy. Solar storage also gives you peace of mind in case of an emergency, knowing that you can keep your essentials up and running.

Environmental Benefit

Beyond financial and practical benefits, there’s a profound environmental impact to consider, charging your EV with solar energy helps to reduce your environmental impact significantly. Suppose you’re charging your EV from the grid. In that case, you’re still relying on fossil fuels, which consume finite resources and emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and air pollution. When using renewable resources like solar energy, you release no carbon dioxide into the environment and minimize other harmful emissions associated with traditional power generation. Switching to Solar Energy EV charging can greatly reduce your carbon footprint and lead you in the right direction toward sustainability. By switching to solar-powered EV charging, you’re reducing your own carbon emissions and also actively participating in the global effort to stop climate change, making a change for a cleaner and healthier planet for our future.

The Convenience of Charging at Home

Lastly, charging your EV at home with Solar Energy is convenient – by having an EV charging station at home, you’ll worry less about where the next charging station will be. Instead, you can wake up to a fully charged EV every morning, saying goodbye to searching for a charging station and waiting in line to use it. This convenience saves you time and hassle and provides a sense of security, knowing that your vehicle is always ready to go whenever you need it. With a solar-powered charging setup at home, you’re not just embracing sustainability but also enhancing your daily convenience and peace of mind.

Conclusion

In conclusion, charging your EV with solar energy offers many benefits. When understanding how it works and integrating it into your life you can unlock cost savings, energy independence, environmental stewardship, and convenience. By using the sun’s renewable energy, we reduce our carbon footprint but also play a part in fighting climate change and creating a sustainable future for generations to come. The savings mixed with the practicality of the convenience of a fully charged EV at home. As we embrace this clean and sustainable method of transportation, we take a significant step towards a greener and more resilient world. By investing in solar energy for EV charging, we enhance our own lives and contribute to the collective effort to build a brighter, greener future.

Although all solar companies are trying to sell solar, not all of them are in it for the best interest of the customer.  Many solar companies out there are misleading and in it for the wrong reasons. You have probably seen somewhere that you can get solar for free, Ohio will pay for your solar, or your utility company will cover your solar costs – if you believe this may be too good to be true, you’re probably right.  

Hearing about these misleading and untrustworthy companies is a shame because it gives the companies that mean well a bad name.  

At Kokosing Solar we have been designing, building, and financing clean energy solutions for both Commercial and Residential clients across Ohio since 2000. Kokosing brings more than 24 years of installation experience as Ohio’s longest-standing full-service solar installer. We are strengthened with 73 years of experience by one of the largest family-owned companies in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, Kokosing Inc.  We are a fully insured and licensed Electrical Contractor with highly trained NABCEP-certified installers committed to delivering safe high-performance systems with top-notch customer service.  

What makes Kokosing Different? 

Our reputation: with over 20 years in the solar industry and over 1,300 clean energy installations we are a stable, local and committed partner.  

Our Team: Our team is filled with passionate people who show pride in their work and who are well-trained.  

Our results: Our business strategy is to provide a high-quality project to position ourselves as a lasting solar partner.  

At Kokosing Solar our mission is putting people to work to build a clean energy future. Our business approach is all based on our core values. 

• Safety first  
• Customer Focused  
• Have a concern for the well-being of every team member 
• Continuously improve and take on new challenges 
• Operate with honesty and integrity   
• Shirt-Sleeve manage  
• Be a good member of the community  
• Financially Strong  

What makes Kokosing Solar different is that we are mission-driven, we are a values-led organization with a mission to put people to work to build the clean energy future. Kokosing Solar has great employment practices. Not only is this the right way to do business but an approach that delivers better results with a stronger higher performing team. At Kokosing Solar we are building stronger communities. We are constantly building our communities through our way of business, our inclusion and equity focus, and by giving back. Kokosing Solar has a sustainable environmental impact, not only from our carbon–neutral fleet and solar branch but by zero-waste goal – we are taking serious actions to protect our planet.

Sales  

Another thing that makes Kokosing Solar different is our sales team. Our consultations are low-pressure, and high information. Our sales team isn’t motivated by commission during the sales process. Our team wants to make sure you’re understanding everything and while yes, we do want to be your installer we also want to make the best decision for you, your family, and your company. During the process, you won’t be handed off to another party – we handle all marketing, sales, design, permitting, interconnection, and installation.  

See what people have to say about Kokosing Solar 

• “Awesome company! They handle all aspects of installing solar panels on your home or business from evaluating the applicability, calculating energy and cost savings, obtaining local approvals, and the installation. They installed a 13-panel system on my home and were great to work with. Very professional.” 
• “Mission-driven solar company backed by a wealth of experience, great people, and just the right touch for delivering high-quality products and first-class service” 
• “I’m writing a review, not as a customer, but as a solar contractor from another state. This company’s integrity shines through the information it provides on its website. There is a lot of misinformation related to solar throughout the United States and it is rare to see a company take a firm stance on honesty, even if it makes it harder to compete. Keep outlasting those “solar entrepreneurs”!” 
• “They made switching to solar SO easy. Going solar is not cheap, but it saves you in the long run! They explained everything so well and everyone I dealt with was so kind! I will recommend them to anyone who chooses to go solar!” 

Why is Kokosing Solar being different important? 

Kokosing Solar’s experience and reputation, with over 20 years and 1,300 installations, make us a trusted and stable local partner. Our passionate and well-trained team ensures top-notch service and expertise throughout the process and our commitment to quality projects makes Kokosing Solar a long-term partner. The company’s mission-driven approach accelerates the shift to clean energy, reflecting core values of safety, customer focus, and integrity. Kokosing’s low-pressure, high-information sales consultations prioritize customer understanding and satisfaction over commissions. Our positive customer testimonials attest to Kokosing Solar’s excellence, integrity, and professionalism, setting a higher standard for the industry.