5 ways NZ businesses can gain a competitive edge with solar power

Solar power is an excellent option for any business looking to reduce its carbon footprint, but it’s worth noting that the benefits of going solar go far beyond the environmental factor. 

From reduced operating costs to increasing the value of your commercial property, making the move to solar can benefit your business in a number of ways. 

Here are five key advantages of investing in solar power for businesses:

1. Reduce operating costs

For businesses, the biggest advantage of solar energy is that it can reduce or even eliminate your power bill. 

It goes without saying that the sun’s energy is freely available. Once your solar power system is up and running, it costs nothing to harness the sun’s energy and turn it into usable electricity, which can greatly reduce your company’s operating expenses. 

While the upfront costs involved with the initial installation can be a little daunting, it’s important to remember that going solar can help you save significant amounts of money over the long term. The cost of solar energy technology has continued to drop in recent years and is now more affordable than ever. As a result, the vast majority of companies see a full return on their investment over the lifespan of their solar power system.

2. Greater certainty

An often overlooked benefit of solar power for businesses is that it provides you with greater financial certainty. Commercial electricity prices are known to fluctuate, and sudden price hikes can leave you with unexpectedly high power bills.

Installing your own solar power system reduces your reliance on the grid, which means you’re less vulnerable to sudden shifts in the electricity marketplace. In fact, as the price of electricity goes up, the more you’ll effectively save on power. 

3. Better for the environment

Solar power also gives businesses the opportunity to do their part for the environment. As it stands, about 80 percent of electricity in New Zealand comes from renewable energy such as hydropower and geothermal power. That means approximately one-fifth of our power still comes from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil and natural gas.

Solar electricity is an environmentally friendly option. It involves using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight (an almost infinitely renewable resource) into electricity. This enables your company to reduce its carbon footprint, help stop global warming and play a part in preserving the planet for future generations. 

4. Embrace the green label

While going solar probably shouldn’t be used primarily as a marketing tactic, there’s no denying it can help you position your business as a socially conscious company. 

Consumer habits are changing. Increasingly, customers are not only looking at what products and services you offer, but also your values as a company. 

As you might have guessed, many consumers are concerned about the environment. As many as 83 percent of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region say it is “very important” or “extremely important” that companies do their part to help the environment, according to figures from Nielsen

Investing in solar power gives businesses the opportunity to embrace the green label and show customers that they are being proactive in the battle against climate change.

5. Increase the value of commercial property

Do you own commercial property? Given the many business benefits of solar power systems, it should come as little surprise to learn that investing in solar can also boost the value of your commercial property. 

While it won’t dramatically increase the value of your building, a solar power system can make a property more appealing and attract more buyers who will undoubtedly enjoy the reduced operating costs that comes with solar power. 

Solar power for NZ businesses

Businesses of all shapes and sizes can benefit from making the switch to solar energy. If you’re thinking about investing in solar energy for your company, you’ve come to the right place. 

With more than 40 years of experience in the electrical services industry, the team at French Electrical knows exactly what it takes to design and install electrical solutions tailored to the unique needs of your business. 

Get in touch with us today for a no fuss, no strings attached discussion on how we can best help you. 


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