Our energy needs will never go away. Power is an inescapable part of our lives. Our days always begin with and revolve around energy; we have to rely on it to shower, make a fresh cup of coffee and some toast (if there’s time), iron our clothes, and beat the traffic lights that can make or break our days. In the past, we didn’t spend too much time thinking about what it took to get it. However, energy security has become more unpredictable. That’s why so many South Africans, both homes and businesses, have opted for some control over their energy supply with solar. And this is where solar panel solution experts like Alumo come into the picture.
If you don’t know much about solar power for your property, you’d expect a big difference between commercial and residential solar panels. The simple answer is that there isn’t. Solar panels are the same for office and residential settings. The only distinctions are scale, installation, and application. Comparing commercial and residential solar panels can impact how solar energy systems are designed for these two environments.
Exploring Solar Panels to Find a Common Foundation
Solar panels are commonly made of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity. PV cell technology remains unchanged across residential and commercial solar structures. Panels are usually either monocrystalline or polycrystalline and regardless of the setup, both types function the same way.
The installation and system size, rather than the panels themselves can confuse many about how commercial solar panels and residential ones differ.
The Difference Is in the Scale
The primary difference between residential and commercial solar systems lies in the scale of the installation. Commercial properties, such as factories, office buildings, or retail centres, require much larger systems than the average home because commercial spaces ordinarily have higher energy demands. They basically need more solar panels to generate sufficient power.
Residential solar systems are likely smaller and range from 5 kW to 20 kW. While the household’s energy usage determines the size of the solution, homeowners aim to maximise energy savings.
On the other hand, commercial solar systems can vary anywhere from 20 kW to several megawatts. Their goal is to reduce operational costs and improve energy efficiency for larger businesses.
They may be the same, but the complete system configuration and scale are largely incomparable between residential and commercial solar panel applications.
Installation Differences Including Roof Type and Orientation
Another difference between commercial and residential solar installations is the installation process. Residential roofs are generally sloped, which affects how solar panels are mounted and oriented to exploit sunlight exposure.
Commercial Installations of solar panels on commercial buildings often have flat roofs, which can make installation easier. Solar panels on flat roofs are mounted on racks that can be tilted at the best angle for capturing sunlight.
In both cases, the orientation of the panels is vital for assuring maximum effectiveness. The technique for commercial solar panels vs residential may be dissimilar due to the architecture of the building.
Practical Applications for Powering Homes vs Businesses
Here’s a comparison of energy consumption for residential versus commercial buildings to indicate how solar panels perform across different applications.
Residential Use
The average 4-bedroom home in SA consumes about 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. This is roughly 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) annually and about 16 to 25 solar panels.
Commercial Use
Conversely, energy consumption for businesses varies based on size and type. A small to midsize office building typically consumes between 13,000 and 36,000 kWh per year, meaning that larger commercial buildings, such as factories or retail centres, may need drastically more power. A 1 MW system can provide enough electricity to power certain large commercial properties or multiple smaller businesses​.
Knowing the performance of commercial solar vs residential system scales helps highlight how solar solutions are adapted to suit energy specifics.
Other Main Factors Like Energy Needs and Financing
The energy requirements of residential and commercial solar systems can vary greatly although the solar panels may be the same. Homes have consistent, predictable energy needs, while commercial buildings may experience fluctuating loads depending on the type of business, operating hours, and equipment usage.
Additionally, commercial solar installations come with diverse financing options and incentives compared to residential systems. Businesses may also qualify for larger tax breaks or rebates, as governments encourage companies to reduce their carbon footprint through green energy initiatives.
Concluding With a Focus on Application, Not Technology
The difference between commercial and residential solar panels boils down to scale and application, not the technology of the solar panels. Both homeowners wanting to minimise their electricity bills and businesses targeting lower operational costs can choose solar panels as a versatile and worthwhile energy solution.
At Alumo Energy, we are pros at crafting solar systems to meet the unique needs of our clients, both residential homeowners and commercial enterprises. Contact Alumo Energy today to find the perfect solar solution for your property!