Depending on the nature of your business, a power outage can be anything from an inconvenience to a disaster. Whether you rely on solar power, the grid, or a combination of the two, you need to know that you have a reliable source of backup power.
Businesses have a variety of options available for backup power. Solar power itself can serve as a backup for grid power, but businesses using this solution will still require a backup in case their panels fail. In most cases, the choice is between a backup generator and solar batteries.
The Pros and Cons of Backup Generators
Backup generators have long been used by organizations that can’t allow power failures to grind their operations to a halt. They come in a wide range of sizes and can be implemented for businesses of any size.
Standby generators for your business will be different from any portable gasoline generators you might have seen used. They’re permanent installations that are integrated into the building’s electrical system and can be configured to activate as soon as power is lost. Most will run on either natural gas, propane, or diesel.
The generator itself can be a relatively inexpensive acquisition for a business. However, these generators have plenty of maintenance costs. They require somewhat regular inspections and can often need repairs. Not only that, but you’ll have to pay for fuel every time that the generator runs.
The main benefit that backup generators have over solar batteries is that they can run essentially forever. As long as you keep getting more fuel, there’s no time limit on how long they can last. This inexhaustibility means that your business can be covered for extended outages as long as you have access to additional fuel.
The Pros and Cons of Solar Batteries
Solar batteries are a highly recommended addition for most solar panel installations. At the very least, they can provide the capacity to store power during the day and release it at night. This storage makes solar panels viable as the sole source of electricity for your business.
In the case that your solar panels are out of commission, the batteries will only be able to provide power for one to two days. Their primary purpose is to extend the usefulness of solar panels throughout the entire 24-hour cycle, making them useful beyond just the times when the sun is shining.
Unlike a standby generator, solar panel batteries are completely quiet. They’re also low maintenance. You don’t need regular visits from a technician to ensure they’re working right. A solar power system with solar batteries provides seamless power with no interruptions day and night.
Installing solar batteries also increases the value of your business, and you can even find rebates and tax credits for installing them. Like with your solar panels, you want to make sure that you find a reliable commercial electrician to install them.
Choosing Between the Two
Standby generators and solar batteries both provide backup power but serve two largely different purposes. Depending on the nature of your business, you might very well have a good use for both systems.
If you need to keep your business running when the power grid goes down for days, a standby generator is likely what you need. If you want to transition to using only solar power with no grid reliance, then you need solar batteries.
Commercial Solar Battery Installation
BD Electrical Services has been providing exceptional electrical services for the businesses of Massachusetts’ South Shore, Cape Cod, and the Islands since 2007. If you think that a solar power system with solar panels and solar batteries may be what your business needs, just give us a call today to get a reliable quote.
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