A photovoltaic installation is an attractive solution for businesses, especially for companies that use a significant amount of energy during the day. With this solution, the energy generated by the photovoltaic panels is used on an ongoing basis, which has a positive effect on the level of self-consumption. Due to the high energy demand, companies often have to pay high costs for electricity charges. Investing in a photovoltaic installation of the order of 50 kW, which can cover the entire demand, allows companies to become independent of rising electricity prices. In addition, by having their own photovoltaic installation, companies can avoid the power charge, which is often a significant burden for businesses. Using solar energy to power their business translates into a reduction in the costs associated with electricity charges.
Photovoltaics for businesses – how to maximise profit?
Maximising the profit from a photovoltaic installation for businesses requires a full understanding of the factors affecting its performance. Photovoltaic panels are subject to prolonged exposure to a variety of weather conditions, including wide temperature fluctuations, rain and snowfall, strong winds and lightning, which can all affect their performance.
Ambient temperature is an important factor affecting the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. The semiconductor materials used in the panels are temperature sensitive and their efficiency decreases as the temperature increases. A one-degree increase in temperature can result in a decrease in instantaneous efficiency of up to 0.5%, depending on the type of cell. On hot summer days, when panel temperatures can reach 70˚C or more, this can result in up to 30% less energy production compared to optimum conditions (25˚C).
Thetilt angle of the solar panels also plays a significant role in the efficiency of the installation. The optimum angle of the panels should be chosen to ensure maximum electricity production throughout the year. In Poland, the optimum angle of the panels is usually around 30-40°.
Shading of photovoltaic panels can significantly reduce their ability to generate electricity. Even partial shading caused by a tree, fireplace or dirt can lead to a significant decrease in the power output of the entire photovoltaic installation. It is therefore important to avoid shaded areas or to use power optimisers that, in the case of shading, search for the maximum power point of a single photovoltaic module
In addition, it is important that the surface of the solar panels is clean. Dirt, dust or dust can reduce the amount of light reaching the panels, leading to reduced energy production.
Theage of photovoltaic modules can also affect their performance. Although many manufacturers assure that a panel can retain at least 87% of its initial power output even after 30 years of use, there can be a natural reduction in efficiency over time. This needs to be taken into account when planning the long-term performance of a photovoltaic installation.
Paying attention to these factors before installing a photovoltaic system will allow us to ensure that the solar panels will perform long and adequately.
It is worth mentioning that the return on investment and thus a quicker return on investment can be significantly influenced by subsidies, which we will write about in one of the following chapters.
Surface area of a 50 kW photovoltaic installation
A 50 kW photovoltaic installation takes up a considerable area, so proper planning is crucial. On average, a single 400 Watt photovoltaic panel takes up around 2 m² of floor space
400 W takes up approximately 2 m² of floor space. This means that a 50 kW installation can cover around 250 m². However, it is worth remembering that it is not only the panels themselves that need to be included in the plan, but also the space for the mounting systems and the gaps between the module strings.
When planning a photovoltaic installation, you should aim to make the best use of the available space. This may mean choosing a suitable location for the installation that provides maximum sunlight for most of the day and year, and minimal shading. Optimising the space also involves identifying possible obstacles, such as trees or buildings, that may project shade onto the panels and reduce their efficiency. In such cases, it may be necessary to make appropriate adjustments to the installation plan or use power optimisers.
It is also important to place the panels in the right direction. A southerly orientation is optimal , but if this is not possible an east-west orientation will also work well.
Photovoltaics for companies 50 kW – Cost of construction
A budget photovoltaic installation for companies with a capacity of 50 kW costs approximately 200,000 PLN gross. Such an installation can include:
- high-quality photovoltaic modules, for example from manufacturers such as Longi, Jinko or Jolywood,
- inverters with a long warranty, for example from companies such as Sungrow or Hypontech,
- construction in stainless steel or aluminium,
- professional installation.
Is it worth investing in such an installation? Yes, definitely. The manufacturers mentioned above offer the highest quality photovoltaic panels on the world market. Although there may be concerns about customer service in the long term, properly installed and maintained photovoltaic panels usually do not require service. Good quality installation is a key consideration, which can be provided by reputable photovoltaic companies.
Need help choosing a photovoltaic installation? We will advise you for FREE!
We offer:
-
- Analysis of your electricity consumption
- Selection of the optimal solution for your home
- Installations with the best components available on the market at an affordable price
- Assistance in obtaining financing
- Professional implementation of the investment
We take care of all the formalities FOR YOU
As for the returns on the installation, it’s worth noting that even a budget installation can run for 25-30 years with similarly high yields. Although costs may arise in the meantime due to inverter replacement or minor module faults, the installation should still generate around 90% of the initial output at the end of its life.
In contrast, a premium 50 kW PV installation costs around 300,000 – 350,000 PLN gross. As part of this offer, you can receive:
- high-quality photovoltaic modules from Europe, e.g. from manufacturers such as Bauer Solar,
- top-quality inverters with power optimisers (SolarEdge) or micro-inverters (Hoymiles, Enphase),
- construction with special corrosion protection,
- professional installation and a long installation guarantee,
Is such an offer cost-effective? YES. Although the payback period may be longer, a premium installation has a longer lifespan. This should yield better results in the long term. It is also worth investing in a European robust inverter, such as SMA, which can improve the quality of the installation with a minimal increase in cost.
If you are considering a 100kW photovoltaic farm – check out our article.
Selecting photovoltaic panels
Selecting the right photovoltaic modules is an important decision. One of the key factors influencing what wattage of modules to use is the area to be used for mounting the panels. If the area is not large, and the company wants a high-power installation, then high-power modules of more than 500 W are the ideal solution. A tried-and-tested module with this kind of power is TW Solar 550 W. This module is made up of monocrystalline PERC photovoltaic cells housed in an anodised, lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminium alloy frame and covered by a glass panel with high light transmission. The glass is coated with an anti-reflective (AR) coating and is thermally reinforced.
Another important factor is the substrate on which the modules are mounted. This can be a pitched roof covered with tile, a flat roof with felt, or the ground. Depending on the covering, the mounting system and therefore the price will change. In the case of a tile roof, two-tap is most commonly used, a felt roof – ballasted or welded construction, ground – aluminium construction (table).
Bifacial modules are becoming an increasingly popular solution. These have the ability to generate electricity from both the front and back of the panel. They make use of reflected and diffused solar radiation, which increases the total energy efficiency of the panel by up to 30%. A bestseller in our company is the Jolywood 415 W module. In addition, they are made of N-type silicon which is the most resistant to ageing and functions more efficiently at sharp light angles. They have grade A silicon, the highest purity. They are glass-glass panels, which means they are non-combustible (Class A non-combustibility certificate). They have an unprecedented 16 Bus-Bars providing the highest possible resistance to mechanical damage to the pathways and degradation over time. N-type silicon exhibits no LID (degradation from light) effect. They have a great temperature coefficient. This is a module definitely worth looking at!
Subsidy for photovoltaic installation
The cost of a photovoltaic installation can seem very high for some companies. For them, a great solution is to take advantage of the EU subsidy programme “FEnIKS”. The programme was introduced in Poland in 2023 and is the largest financial subsidy programme in the European Union, focusing on a number of areas such as RES development. Potential beneficiaries of support include entrepreneurs, public administration and local government units. In the case of support in the form of financial instruments, the beneficiary is the institution implementing the instrument, and the final recipients of the support are the beneficiaries listed above. The programme subsidises, among other things, photovoltaic installations and energy storage facilities.
Photovoltaics for companies 50 kW – Summary
A photovoltaic installation is an attractive solution for companies, especially those that consume a large amount of energy during the day. In the face of rising electricity prices, companies often incur high costs for electricity charges. Investing in a photovoltaic installation of up to 50 kW allows companies to become independent of these costs, which are a significant burden. Choosing solar energy as a source of business power ensures greater financial stability for the company.
To maximise the returns from a photovoltaic installation, it is important to understand the factors affecting its performance. It is worth paying attention to atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, panel tilt and shading, which can affect energy production. When planning an installation, aim to make the best use of the available space and choose the right photovoltaic panels and inverters. Investing in high-quality panels and a robust design can result in high yields over many years of operation.
Additional support for companies can be provided by subsidy programmes, such as the EU’s ‘FEnIKS’ programme, which offers funding for entrepreneurs investing in photovoltaic installations. With this funding, investment costs can be significantly reduced, making photovoltaics an even more attractive option for businesses. It is therefore worth considering taking advantage of such programmes in order to optimise costs and maximise profits from a photovoltaic installation.
Sources:
https://sunvival.pl/porady/co-wplywa-na-wydajnosc-paneli-fotowoltaicznych/
https://heliosstrategia.pl/farma-fotowoltaiczna-o-mocy-50-kw-na-jaki-zysk-mozna-liczyc/
https://www.esoleo.pl/zestaw-fotowoltaiczny-o-mocy-do-50-kw-przyklady-i-ceny-7451/