Path-Q Solar

How should planned changes in business operating hours affect commercial solar sizing?

Answer

Base sizing on the expected future operating schedule, not only historical bills, and show the transition period separately. Changes in hours can alter annual consumption, daytime self-consumption, peak demand, and the value of solar production.

Key points

  • Extend or shifted operating hours can change both total energy and the timing of use.
  • A business that operates during daylight may use more solar directly than one operating mainly at night.
  • New schedules should be supported by equipment, staffing, occupancy, and production assumptions.
  • Model current, expected, and delayed-change cases when timing is uncertain.

What it depends on

  • New opening and closing times
  • Expected occupancy and production levels
  • Equipment schedules and seasonal changes
  • Demand charges, export treatment, and future expansion plans

Risks and trade-offs

  • Sizing to a planned expansion that is delayed can create excess capacity.
  • Ignoring a confirmed schedule change can undersize the system.
  • Operating-hour changes may affect demand peaks more than annual energy.

Information you may need

  • Historical bills and interval data
  • Current and planned operating schedules
  • Expected changes in equipment and production
  • Timing and confidence of the business plan

Your next step

What to do next

Create current, transition, and future operating-load profiles and compare solar designs against each profile.

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