BMS Direct in Lynchburg, Virginia has been built on progressive technology and state-of-the-art equipment since its beginning. Therefore, you might expect that the organization has adopted solar power into its facility. However, BMS actually supplemented 45% of its total energy usage with renewable energy technologies. In less than three months since installing a solar system, BMS has generated 83,000 kilowatt hours of energy with the system.
When BMS switched to renewable energy, their bottom line significantly improved. Not only has the company reduced its carbon footprint, they also saved over $3,000 per month. James LaPrade, President of BMS, remains proud of his decision to go solar. After diligent research and number crunching, LaPrade reasoned that a solar power investment that made sense both physically and fiscally. With 722 panels installed on the rooftop and a facility entirely lit by LED lights, BMS expects to break even on installation costs in just two years.
Some businesses shy away from renewable energy due to misconceptions about steep upfront costs and reliability of systems. However, BMS dispels solar energy skepticism with energy-saving success. Between tax credits, supplemented energy consumption, and additional savings, the benefits outweigh the upfront costs of investing solar energy solutions. For businesses considering solar power, LaPrade offers some key advice:
- Do your research. Start by considering the many factors that go into supplementing your facility’s energy consumption with solar power. Talk to several vendors about features and products. Also, look into the different systems to decide which one aligns with your business based on your location, consumption, and finances. Considerations include the amount of natural light that reaches your facility, the space on your rooftop and the size of your property. After extensive research into solar energy, LaPrade narrowed his investigation to three suppliers within the state. Ultimately, he chose a local organization.
- Crunch the numbers. Figure out how much energy your business consumes and how many panels your business requires to power your facility. Examine the upfront costs of installing a solar system. Then, consider the savings from a renewable energy source. Comparing the difference will allow you to make a sound decision.
- Find a liaison who will advocate for you. Your contractor will be the liaison between you and your solar system provider. Therefore, you must choose someone who will reliably relay information. Select partners that will work with you throughout the entire process of installing and using the system. Suppliers, laborers, and contractors can all offer warranties on the system. Ask about these to ensure that your investment will last. With a 25 year system warranty, a 5 year labor warranty, and a contractor warranty, LaPrade plans that BMS’s solar power system will continue to serve the company well for years to come.
If you’ve considered solar energy but aren’t sure where to start, begin by researching vendors. Once you discover the new technologies available to you and the cost effectiveness of various systems, you might be surprised by how solar energy can save your business money and efficiency.
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