Greening the enterprise – going solar

For most businesses, especially consumer-facing businesses, the question is not whether to install solar energy products, it is how to do it. Stakeholders are bombarded with news stories about the effects of climate change and the need for sustainable alternatives to meet energy needs. They are demanding that business leaders step up and start doing something to make a difference. Especially for retailers, going green is no longer simply a differentiator, it is the price of admission to access the market ruled by environmentally aware consumers. And today, that is virtually all consumers.

Getting started

The initial decision to adopt a solar power solution is relatively simple for large retailers and others who have extensive roof space and the desire to go green. The greater challenge is figuring out how to get it done. The options are vast and highly technical regarding the kind of solar products for the facility, the design, installation and maintenance of the system, not to mention the financial complexities. Ultimately a company must answer the following questions to determine its path to transforming its roof into a power generator:

What type of system is best for your needs?
How do you get the system designed and installed with minimal impact on daily operations?
What is the cost, initially and over the life of the installation?
Should you own the system or just purchase the power?
How will you fund the project?
What assurances do you require to be comfortable with the investment?

Choosing your system

Among the many options available in the marketplace, it is tempting to look for the lowest initial cost to purchase, your solar system. But the more important consideration is the lifetime value of the system. This includes the up-front cost  as well as the energy it produces over its life which can vary significantly between systems and is influenced by factors including degradation rates, reliability and quality. The best solar suppliers back their products with solid warranties.

Getting it up and running

Choosing an experienced system designer and highly trained installer is critical to the proper operation, efficiency and safety of your system. Be certain that you select experts that have a solid track record designing, installing and maintaining solar systems similar to yours. You want a solar company that understands and honors your need to continue your operations without interruption or distraction during the installation – a partner that understands your operational requirements and has a sharp focus on quality and safety. Talk to others in your business segment about their experience with solar companies to find out who delivers on their promises.

Sticking with what you know

Decide what level of direct involvement works best for you in the design, installation and ongoing operation of your solar system. While some companies opt to own the solar system, financing it themselves or securing third party financing, many are choosing to stick to what they know, and simply buy the power under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Companies are finding that going green does not necessarily require that they become solar experts, but they do need a trusted partner.

When Wal-Mart, a recognized leader in sustainability, made the decision to add solar systems to some of their California stores, they didn't want to be in the solar business – they just wanted green power at a competitive price. That's what they got when they partnered with BP Solar, who designs, builds, maintains and operates the rooftop systems, selling the power to Wal-Mart through a PPA.

Similarly, FedEx Ground, the small-package shipping unit of FedEx Corp. selected BP Solar to install and operate the solar system on its distribution hub in New Jersey. It is the nation's largest rooftop solar installation. Under a PPA, the green power produced will provide up to 30 percent of the hub's annual energy needs.

Making solar make sense to your shareholders

Modern investors are keen on green and place additional value on companies that can implement a green strategy that is cost neutral or positive. Never before has solar energy been such an attractive and viable solution. A rooftop with a well-designed, installed and managed solar installation that delivers low-cost electricity over a long period of time makes good business sense.

Protecting a "Big Brand"

Companies with a big brand to protect are not interested in "green washing." They know that consumers are far too savvy to fall for anything that looks like an attempt to just appear environmentally responsible. What they do has to be real and stand up to scrutiny. They want brand synergy and the piece of mind that comes with partnering with another big brand. BP Solar, with nearly 40 years of success in the solar sector and backed by BP's strong reputation and balance sheet, fits the bill. Our success is built upon meeting customer needs through dependability, offering highest lifetime value, providing a complete range of solar solutions, and our global reputation as a strategic partner.

Strong Leadership with a Vision

What Wal-Mart, FedEx  and other progressive companies have in common is strong leadership that has a vision of what they want to achieve. Their commitment to social responsibility and the bottom line makes green energy projects successful. BP Solar is a proud contributor to that success.