Too often, people think of renewable energy sources and traditional ones as competition against each other. In reality, they are complementary and serve different purposes, and many businesses that operate in one of those areas of energy production find themselves dependent on the others to run at peak efficiency. One great example of this is the way solar panels help businesses control their costs. If you’re currently investing in fuel industry operations like gas stations or distribution networks, consider how an investment in solar can lower your bottom line for years to come. It reduces your dependency on grid electricity, and that in turn makes it possible for your pumps to operate on a battery backup during power outages, providing you with the ability to step in and provide for customers when other companies have to shut down.
Conversions To Existing Businesses
If you have a facility that you want to add solar capabilities to, you need to consider a few things. For starters, are you looking at power generation as a supplemental resource, or do you want to invest enough to be off the grid pretty much all the time? Those are two different levels of investment, and you will need more working capital to go grid-free. The second thing to think about is how your costs will be structured. Solar hype points out that panels, even after installation, are almost always so cost-effective they reach ROI in a year or less.
While this is true because of rising panel efficiency and falling prices, it ignores the cost of batteries, which are the most important part of a solar system because they allow energy to be stored for times when the sun is unavailable, rather than losing all the surplus generated on optimal days. You’ll also need to think about which certified gas station builders you will work with, because modifications to your facilities will need to comply with all existing fuel station construction regulations.
Start Fresh With New Facilities
If you’re considering a new gas station construction, optimizing the build for renewable, self-generated energy is a great opportunity. Think about your options, and consider whether you can manage solar heat and power, or if it’s better to focus on one.
