Path-Q Solar

What information can a business use to size solar accurately when it has no historical utility bills?

Answer

A business can estimate demand from interval or meter data, equipment inventories, operating schedules, measured circuits, fuel records, and comparable facility data. The estimate should distinguish annual energy use, hourly load shape, seasonal variation, and peak demand rather than relying on floor area alone.

Key points

  • Collect equipment power ratings, quantity, operating hours, and seasonal schedules.
  • Use temporary submetering or data logging for major loads when possible.
  • Account for HVAC, refrigeration, process equipment, lighting, computers, and future changes separately.
  • Use conservative ranges where operating behavior is uncertain.

What it depends on

  • Business type and operating schedule
  • Equipment inventory and duty cycles
  • Building size, occupancy, and HVAC system
  • Available meter or submeter data
  • Seasonal and planned future operations

Risks and trade-offs

  • Nameplate ratings may overstate or understate actual average consumption.
  • Short monitoring periods may miss seasonal or occasional loads.
  • An annual estimate can be adequate for energy sizing but insufficient for electrical-service or demand-related design.

Information you may need

  • Equipment list and ratings
  • Operating hours and production schedules
  • Building and HVAC information
  • Any available meter data or fuel bills
  • Planned expansions, schedule changes, or new equipment

Your next step

What to do next

Create a load inventory and, where feasible, log whole-building and major-circuit consumption across representative operating periods.

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