Commercial solar systems

Included on this page:

Benefits of commercial solar to your business

Running a business with high energy needs? Sick of expensive utility bills? Ready to take power production into your own hands? Talk with your local commercial solar experts about a customised, money saving solar solution for your commercial premises or business.

Are commercial solar panels worth it?

If your business uses power during daylight hours, solar will almost always have a positive impact on your power bills. At NRG Solar, we see a conservative 25% return on investment (ROI) and an average payback period of 2.5 to 4 years.

In fact, we often see returns of 40% or more, especially on larger commercial solar systems. 

This is because the government’s Small-Scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme allocates certificates by system size and many commercial clients are able to supply nearly 100% of their own power needs.

To find out how much you could save, book an on-site consultation with an NRG Commercial Solar installer.

How much will I save by installing solar panels?

If your business uses electricity, especially during the day, chances are that solar panels will help to slash your power bills.

Likewise, big savings are very likely if your business has high energy needs, high peak demand or critical systems that need blackout protection.

As for exactly how much you can save, it will depend on a number of factors. Your roof space, power usage patterns and budget will help to determine what size of system we recommend, as well as your projected savings.

But don’t leave your solar investment to guesswork. 

With NRG Solar you’re in safe, experienced hands. Request a free commercial solar consultation and we’ll conduct a thorough analysis of your meter data and accurately model your new bill amount, payback period and return on investment (ROI).

What if I lease my property?

You don’t need to own your building to benefit from solar or for it to make great financial sense! 

The first step is to see if your landlord is interested in contributing. Solar can be a positive investment in quality tenants, which is why commercial property owners are often happy to be involved in solar projects.

What if your landlord is not willing to help? Don’t let that stop you from getting a quote. 

We regularly install solar for businesses who are in leased premises. The payback period could be just a couple of years, followed by free solar power for the balance of your lease. All you need is your landlord’s consent to install solar at the property.

How long will the system take to pay for itself?

For commercial solar clients, the return on investment (ROI) is around 25%, with an average payback period of 2.5 to 4 years. But that’s just the average.

At NRG Solar we often help our commercial clients achieve returns of 40% or more, especially on larger systems which qualify for higher solar rebates (now called the Small-Scale Technology Certificate or STC scheme). In fact, it’s not uncommon for businesses to totally zero their power bills.

To find out your projected payback period, book a free solar assessment and consultation. Your NRG commercial solar expert will conduct a thorough analysis of your energy needs and provide you with a detailed proposal.

How long will an NRG Solar commercial solar system last?

Your commercial solar system designed and installed by NRG Solar will last for many, many decades to come. 

The powerhouse of the system, your commercial solar panels, will continue generating free, clean power for at least 25 years, often up to 40 or more. Your solar inverter comes with a 10 to 15 year warranty and may last much longer.
 
Of course, the life and performance of your system will also be affected by the quality of other components too, from the racking system that holds your panels in place, to the conduit that protects your wiring.

This uncompromising quality is why NRG Solar has earned a reputation for being a premier solar provider. We never cut corners. The performance and ROI on our solar installations is the sum of the quality parts and workmanship we put into every single project.

For your added peace of mind, our technical support team is based right locally, just like you. We are only ever a phone call away.

How long will an NRG Solar commercial solar system last?

As a business, you can access a range of Government grants and rebates for solar and energy efficiency installations. Our commercial solar specialists will ensure you get the best return for your solar investment with the appropriate Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), Large-scale Technology Certificates (LGCs) and Feed-in Tariff options for your system. Incentives vary from state to state, but our team of experts will work with you to install the quality system you need with the best ROI.

Commercial solar panels, overhead shot

Size and scope of our commercial projects

What is included in an NRG Solar commercial solar installation?

Before we talk about system components, let’s talk about the most important ingredient of all: your peace of mind. With NRG Solar you get a high quality, turnkey solution designed and delivered by your trusted solar expert.

We deliver uncompromised quality with every single project. Why? Because we’re passionate about three things: renewable energy, providing trusted solar expertise to Australian homes and businesses, and being the best at what we do!

We’re not just installing solar. We’re on a mission to reimagine the way energy is produced, stored and consumed in Australia.

The three main components of an NRG Solar commercial system are:

  • Solar panels
  • Panel mounting system
  • Solar inverter

Battery storage solutions are also increasingly common.

We’re proud to say that we only recommend solar panels, inverters and battery storage solutions that come with industry-leading reliability, performance and warranties.

The smallest details make a big difference

When it comes to solar, a lot of time is spent focusing on panels, inverters and batteries - and rightly so. But what about the unspoken components of your system?

Believe it or not, sub-components can have a massive effect on system performance and longevity. In fact, solar panels rarely break on their own. Issues with cabling and poor racking are far more common. As your local solar repair specialist, we see these problems every day.

That’s why with NRG Solar, you also get top quality cabling, isolators, AC & DC breakers, cable tray and covers, and built-to-last Clenergy racking.

What else can you expect with NRG Solar?

  • Fixed price, ‘no surprises’ contract
  • Single point of contact project management
  • Accredited commercial solar installation
  • Consumption + solar production monitoring
  • SA Smarter Homes Compliance
  • SA Power Networks Grid Application
  • Scoping and commissioning fees
  • Scissor lift (required)
  • Network Protection Unit with Generator ATS interlock
  • Equipment, parts and labour warranties
  • Ongoing technical support
  • Meter box work and electrical upgrades
  • Any fees associated with power quality testing, if deemed necessary by SA Power Network

Don’t get caught with a system that can’t be turned on after installation because there’s still a heap of work for you to do. Whereas other installers may leave out meter box work and electrical upgrades, NRG Solar delivers you a true turnkey solution.

What size commercial solar system does my business need?

The size of your commercial solar system will come down to a variety of factors. Some clients want to eliminate their power bills all together, while others seek to reduce peak demand or simply see their bills go down. An increasing number of clients want to protect their businesses from blackouts.

Taking all of these factors into account, as well as solar rebates and incentives, we will work with you to analyse your energy use and recommend a tailored system size to perfectly suit your business.

How much should I budget for a commercial solar system?

When it comes to solar, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The size and cost of your system will depend on your needs and objectives.
 
A more useful approach is to focus on how much the system will save you and how quickly it will pay for itself. 

For example: An NRG Solar commercial system that costs $50,000 and results in power bill savings of $25,000 per annum will pay for itself in just two years. And it will continue generating annual savings of around $25,000 (or more if power prices continue to rise) for up to 25+ years. That’s a projected saving of around $750,000 on an original investment of just $50,000.

When we do our analysis, we provide you with a detailed projection of your savings and payback period. We also compare cash and finance payment methods, showing what you will save over the lifetime of the system for each option. Many businesses find that the cost of finance is easily offset by their power bill savings.

To find out how much you could save, contact NRG Solar to request a free consultation with a commercial solar expert.

Will I still have a power bill if I install solar on my commercial property?

How much electricity you would need to buy from the grid—and how much you pay for it—will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your system, usage patterns and electricity tariffs. 

Keep in mind that to run lights and machinery after dark you would need to either install solar battery storage or draw power from the network.

By examining your meter data, we can accurately predict how much power production will come from solar year-round and how much electricity you may need to purchase from the grid at various times.

How efficient are commercial solar panels?

Modern solar panels show an impressive 17-19% efficiency. While efficiency matters, quality components do too. We consider both the efficiency and quality of commercial solar panels for your system to ensure you’re getting a great ROI for decades to come.

Should I invest in battery storage?

As the price of solar batteries go down and electricity goes up, interest in battery storage is increasing more and more. 

We have installed a number of battery storage systems into commercial properties to deliver solutions to meet customers needs, including lower power bills, reduced peak demand and energy security (blackout protection).

We would be pleased to help you design and understand your potential return on solar storage investment. Contact us to request an on-site consultation to get started.

What are the best panels and inverters for commercial solar systems?

For commercial solar projects, we proudly recommend and install Fronius, Sungrow and Enphase commercial grade inverters.
 
Your NRG Commercial Solar consultant will explain the pros and cons of different inverter options, including their applications, performance and warranties. 

You also benefit from NRG’s history as a solar repair specialist. From our experience repairing other companies’ work, we only supply and recommend inverters that we trust to meet the demands of South Australia’s challenging climatic conditions.

Our recommended inverters are paired with industry-leading SunPower, Winaico or Jinko panels, and fixed with quality Clenergy racking.

BOOK A FREE SHOWROOM TOUR
WE’VE INSTALLED
3,000+ SOLAR SYSTEMS
NRG solar 5 star reviews in adelaide
Resthaven logo
NRG solar 5 star reviews in adelaide
Resthaven residential care
100kw system

From the acceptance of the NRG tender to the panels and inverters being installed was less than 8 weeks. NRG co-ordinates with onsite supervisions to coordinate with other trades to make installations process smooth and indecent free.

Company logo
NRG solar 5 star reviews in adelaide
SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH
94.7kw system
SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH

The savings have been fantastic, since the installation at the beginning of August we have saved $22,000 in just 9 months! The environmental impact has been massive, we have been able to reduce our carbon footprint by 48.6 tonnes. We are also on track with our return on investment payment. We are due to have our return on investment plan paid within two years.

KFC company logo
NRG solar 5 star reviews in adelaide
KFC – Everard Park
13.2kw system + Sonnen Battery

Our electricity production exceeded the estimated average by 27kWh's within the first month!

Commercial solar maintenance

Will my panels require maintenance?

When it comes to commercial solar panels, a little maintenance goes a long way to ensuring that your system keeps generating the maximum amount of clean, free electricity.
 
The good news is that commercial solar panel maintenance is generally quick and easy. At 5-degrees of tilt, solar panels are usually self-cleaning. Flat-roof installations may require gentle cleaning every 6 to 12 months to keep them free of dust and grime.

For your peace of mind, automated solar monitoring comes as standard with NRG commercial solar systems. We provide you with projected system performance and an app that shows you your actual performance. The app will alert you if solar generation decreases so that any problems can be quickly identified and fixed.

The NRG solar power team of technicians

How will solar panels affect my roof?

We are often asked “Can I walk on my solar panels?” and “Are solar panels bad for your roof?”

Solar panels should never be walked or stepped on. Damage can affect the panels’ ability to generate power and may impact the overall performance of your system.

In terms of protecting the integrity of your roof, it’s important to choose a reputable commercial solar installer who cares about safety and your property as much as you do. At NRG Solar, we use only quality Clenergy racking and take extreme care in protecting your roof and property, as if it were our own.

We also know that street appeal is important. That’s why your solar proposal includes a visual mock-up that shows what your solar panels will look like in place.

How to get started with NRG Solar Commercial

Step 1: Request a free consultation

Talk with a new enquiry specialist and book a time for a commercial solar consultant to meet with you.

Step 2: Consultation and site visit

Our consultant will meet with you to conduct a site scope and understand your objectives. If possible, please have your electricity bills and/or lease agreement available. We will also undertake a check on your meter box, any sub-boards and your roof to determine suitability.

Step 3: Tailored recommendation and proposal

Our proposal includes an analysis of your power usage, system recommendation and detailed quote, as well as your projected savings and payback period.

Step 4: Quote acceptance and agreement

With NRG Solar, you get a fixed price contract. This means no nasty surprises or undocumented changes.

Step 5: Installation site scope

Our project manager will conduct a site scope to ensure that your installation goes smoothly.

Step 6: SA Power Network approval

Depending on the size of your system, SAPN may need to do an impact assessment on the local power network. We will handle all of the paperwork for you.

Step 7: Installation

Our installation crew of certified solar electricians will ensure that your installation is smooth and worry-free. You are kept updated every step of the way.

Step 8: Commissioning by SA Power Network

Systems larger than 30KW require SAPN to test and commission the custom designed Network Protection unit that will be supplied to you by NRG Solar.

Step 9: Handover and start saving

Your system is now fully operational and generating clean, free solar power!

Hindmarsh Plumbing - 100kW System + 40.5kWh Battery Storage

Hindmarsh Plumbing is on a mission to become a carbon neutral service provider and looked to NRG Solar to help

Churchill Centre North - Kilburn, 300kW System

NRG Solar partnered with Enerven to install 300kW of solar to an embedded network.

read more client success stories