Commercial Solar

In 2017 the most compelling values in solar are to be found in the commercial space. There are two main reasons for this: economies of scale and two major tax incentives. As the size of a solar installation increases the cost of the system on a per Watt or per panel basis goes down significantly. These lower prices of course provide a much quicker return on investment and in general a more compelling value for the system owner.

In addition to the low prices, there are often hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars in avoided tax payments created by a commercial solar installation. The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is equal to 30% of the cost of the system. The ITC is a tax credit—a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes owed. A taxpayer that claims the commercial ITC for a solar PV system can typically also take advantage of accelerated depreciation (MACRS) which allows the system to be depreciated over 5 years with the depreciation front loaded at the beginning of the period.

All of this equates to very compelling electricity costs from solar for commercial customers. 1 to 4 cents per kWhr over the system life is typical. This makes solar less expensive than even the wholesale cost of electricity in the United States! And that cost is fixed since the power plant is on your roof or property.

The founders of Solar Symphony, Aaron Eriksson and Rob Smith, spent most of their careers contracting in the large commercial construction space. They’ve managed over a half a billion dollars worth construction projects in the past 20 years. Many of these were remote site, high-speed and technically challenging projects with very demanding specifications and quality control requirements.

It was this background in the design-build world of big commercial project management, where procurements are based on best-value (meaning the highest quality at the lowest cost) that gave birth to Solar Symphony’s business model.  Aaron and Rob spent over a decade learning and perfecting some of the most sophisticated cost and quality control systems and methodologies that industry has to offer.  Then the thought came, “Hey what would happen if we applied this to the solar industry?” The answer: We’d be the most compelling value in solar energy.

Solar Symphony follows a lean production methodology for commercial solar projects. We spend the time up front value engineering not just the solar design but the process as well. This reduces cycle time and provides our clients with greater value. In the end, solar power is just another way to get your electricity. If it isn’t less expensive than what you’re currently doing then why switch? We strive to provide the most compelling value in energy, period.

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