Why Solar Should Be Part of Your Startup Business Plan
Starting a new company always comes with a few understood expenses like office space, computers, employees, and any special supplies or equipment required for your specific industry. Often these costs are calculated long before the founders start seeking the capital needed to actually start the company so that their plan can be explained to interested investors. When the amount of investment capital reaches your planned budget, the wheels start to move, the location is rented, and soon your company will be open for business. But are you sure you’ve really created the most efficient use of your startup capital? For instance, how much of that money will wind up going to your power bill while you build customers and revenue during the first year or two?
Your Startup and The Power Bill
The average small business in the Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania area pays from between $500 to $700 every month just to keep the lights on and the amount can be much higher depending on your company’s equipment type. That means every year you’re potentially paying over $8,000 for power and over the course of your business’ lifespan, this could easily rack up to a quarter million or more over thirty years of business. While you may not be sure you’ll last that long yet, it’s never too early to make decisions that will save you money in the future. Having solar on your building can reduce this bill for decades via net metering, and with enough solar your business can be ‘net-zero‘ which means that you produce as much as you consume over the course of the year.
In addition to your standard electricity consumption charges, there can also be demand charges. In the mid-Atlantic area, demand charges are based on the highest 15-minute average usage recorded within a given month. If the facility tends to use a lot of power over short periods, the demand charges will comprise a larger part of the bill. If the facility uses power at a more consistent rate throughout the month, the demand charges will generally be a smaller part of the bill. This is especially important for buildings with more than just lights and computers. Manufacturing equipment, machine shop gear, and other larger tools and equipment can also draw an incredible amount of power. Energy storage in batteries can be used to mitigate the cost of demand charges for your new business.
Bringing In the Investors
Potential startup investors come in all shapes, sizes, and walks of life. They are business owners looking to invest in new industry, bored millionaires looking for something interesting, careful financial managers who want sure-return investments, and even friends and family willing to throw in a little to help your business dreams become reality. No matter who you are or what your business does, there’s an investor out there willing to take an interest. However, your biggest fish are angel investors who often have special causes they try to promote like women in tech or, as you may have guessed, green business practices.
When solar energy is part of your initial startup plan, the one you pitch whenever you get the chance, you’re likely to catch the eyes and interest of any ‘green’ investor in the industry. By planning this way, you’re guaranteeing that their investment will at least partially run on renewable energy, something that very few other businesses can promise. This is not just engaging for eco-concerned investors, it’s downright tempting. They may even be willing to throw in several extra thousand just to help you achieve this uniquely environmentally friendly state.
The Perks of Joining the Green Movement
By putting so much of your startup effort into renewable energy, you will be joining the ranks of thousands of other businesses conforming to an enlightening new policy of green business practices. While eco-aware investors are sure to love your 100% energy efficient strategy, so will customers and other businesses. Being eco-friendly is much more than a trend, it’s a widespread school of thought, movement, and niche market all wrapped into one. Even in West Virginia, heart of coal country, green businesses are emerging and thriving.
Customers who care about the environment will be automatically positively inclined toward your company simply because of your dedication to solar power and some green companies have sworn to only work with partners who also conform to green business practices. While you may be small at first, soon both customers and other companies will be knocking down your door to welcome you into the eco-network with patronage and partnership offers.
Including Solar in Your Startup Budget
Every business needs an edge, something to give them a leg-up on the competition and an advantage in the open market. While you may have a superior product, a niche market to serve, and/or excellent customer service, why stop there? Between your power bill savings and the increased business from the green community, how can you afford not to incorporate solar panels into your initial startup budget? It’s possible with solar and battery storage to almost completely eliminate your electricity bill adding thousands to your bottom line long after the initial investment pays off.
Solar is a sound business investment; and there are multiple additional perks for your business in addition to lower electricity bills. Federal tax credits, accelerated depreciation and more can eliminate much of the initial cost of investing in solar for your startup, even if financed via a loan.
Getting Started is Easy
Now all you need is an licensed and experienced local contractor and enough solar capacity to offset some or all of what your business can use on a daily basis. With solar and optional battery storage, you can be coasting along as one of the first net-zero businesses in the mid-Atlantic area. People may come to your door just to look at your solar installation or ask you how the unique power system is working for your company. As a fresh business startup, you need every advantage you can get and solar power is more affordable than it has ever been before. From the investors to the customers, the positives of going solar from day one are massive.
mtvSolar is your local contractor, specializing in quality installations expected to last decades. We can work with you, your accountant, and any other decision makers to determine how solar and optional battery storage can benefit your new business. The first step is to fill out our free consultation web form, and a zero-pressure solar business consultant will be in touch promptly.
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