Empower Your Rooftop: The Solar Surge in Commercial Spaces

Creating new power generation facilities is a lengthy and costly endeavor. And with the world's transition towards electrification to counter CO2 emissions, there's an increasing need for cleaner energy alternatives. Solar and wind power are front-runners, although their adoption took time. In a stark change, recent data from the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy highlighted that solar power installations will make up about 46% of the new U.S. electric generation capacity in 2022, a significant rise from just 4% in 2010. In this article, we will explore how commercial rooftops present a massive opportunity to harness the power of solar energy.

Solar and Wind: The Future's Dynamic Duo The Rocky Mountain Institute has projected a promising future for wind and solar generation, predicting an annual growth rate of up to 20%. By 2030, these renewable energy sources are expected to surpass fossil fuels. But while wind turbines sometimes generate debate and can be far from areas of high demand, solar power offers a different perspective. Enter: commercial rooftops.

Utilizing Commercial Spaces Commercial rooftops and parking spaces present a massive opportunity for solar power generation. Morgan Stanley has estimated a staggering 40 billion square feet of potential solar space among U.S. real estate and commercial trucking properties. By tapping into this space, top Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) could supply up to 45% of their electricity demands, slashing their operational costs in the process. Plus, utilizing already developed spaces like rooftops avoids the often tedious permitting challenges associated with untouched land.

Solar: Easy, Efficient, and Economical Commercial buildings, with their expansive and typically obstruction-free rooftops, are ideal for solar installations. With solar panel costs at their lowest and local regulations favoring the reduction of fossil fuels, many building owners are quickly moving towards solar energy sources. Leading the pack, Oxford Properties has spearheaded solar energy use, with its ambitious initiative to install solar panels on one million square feet of its projects across North America by 2022.

The Road Ahead While challenges exist, the potential for rooftop solar power generation is undeniable. Major corporations like Target, Wal-Mart, and Amazon are already capitalizing on it, producing substantial amounts of their electricity needs. With companies like Vicwest moving towards 100% solar facilities by the end of the decade, the horizon for commercial solar is not only bright but inevitable.

Harnessing the power of the sun requires not just intent but expertise. GAIN Renewables, with its engineering, procurement, and construction services, offers turnkey project management, cutting-edge design, and precise installation for both solar and EV solutions. Transform your commercial space into a beacon of sustainability. Take the first step with the industry's best. Contact us at tad@GAINrenewables.com and redefine your energy future.