Path-Q Solar

How should seasonal business closures affect the expected savings from solar?

Answer

Model the business's actual month-by-month operating schedule, including closure periods, rather than applying an annual average load. Closures reduce on-site consumption during periods when solar may still produce, so the value depends on export treatment, fixed charges, and whether loads can be shifted to open periods.

Key points

  • Use monthly or interval consumption data and mark closure dates.
  • Separate unavoidable base loads from loads that stop during closure.
  • Compare solar production with load during operating and closed periods.
  • Model storage or controlled loads only if they are technically and economically plausible.

What it depends on

  • Closure dates and partial-operation periods
  • Monthly or interval electricity use
  • Base loads during closure
  • Solar production profile
  • Current treatment of exported energy and bill charges

Risks and trade-offs

  • Annual energy offset can overstate savings when production occurs during closures.
  • Storage may improve self-consumption but adds cost and operational complexity.
  • Export value and billing rules are location- and provider-dependent and must be verified.

Information you may need

  • Operating calendar
  • Bills and interval data
  • Closure-period equipment schedule
  • Proposed solar production
  • Current billing and export terms

Your next step

What to do next

Prepare a month-by-month model that distinguishes operating, partial-operation, and closure periods and verifies how surplus production is treated.

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Some details may depend on your location, installer, utility, incentives, regulations, or specific property.

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