Path-Q Solar
How can a business evaluate solar savings when its electricity demand is growing?
Answer
Model current and projected load separately, then compare system sizes and installation timing against the business's hourly demand, demand charges, export value, and expected growth. A growing load may improve self-consumption, but only if the new demand occurs when solar is available or can be shifted.
Key points
- Use interval demand and energy data rather than annual consumption alone.
- Identify planned equipment, production, occupancy, electrification, and operating-hour changes.
- Evaluate both energy savings and demand-charge effects where applicable.
- Compare installing for current load, anticipated load, and staged expansion.
What it depends on
- Current interval load profile
- Timing and certainty of business growth
- Future equipment and operating schedules
- Demand charges, export value, and interconnection capacity
Risks and trade-offs
- Overestimating growth can lead to excess capacity and lower near-term utilization.
- Underestimating growth can require costly expansion or leave the business buying more power than expected.
- Growth may occur outside solar hours, limiting the benefit without storage or load shifting.
Information you may need
- Historical interval bills and demand data
- Business growth plan and planned equipment
- Solar production and layout options
- Current utility tariff and export terms
Your next step
What to do next
Compare current-load, forecast-load, and staged designs using hourly production, consumption, demand, and cash-flow scenarios.
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Some details may depend on your location, installer, utility, incentives, regulations, or specific property.
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