Business owners looking to reduce operational costs and increase energy independence might wonder whether solar is the right choice for their company. Before making a decision, they need a feasibility study.
A feasibility study is the first step in understanding whether solar is a good financial and logistical fit for a commercial property. It answers key questions about cost, return on investment, and system design.
At PSC, we partner with our customers to design and install their solar systems. What works for one client won’t work for another. It all starts with our feasibility process, and we’re here to educate you about it today.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What Is a Feasibility Study?
- How the Feasibility Study Works
- Operational & Maintenance Considerations for Commercial Solar Installations
- What Happens After the Feasibility Report?
This article will walk through each stage of the feasibility process, explaining what businesses need to provide, how the analysis works, and what comes next.
What Is a Feasibility Study?
A feasibility study is the foundation of any commercial solar project.
It involves gathering and analysing data to determine if solar energy is financially and logistically feasible for a business. Without it, decision-makers are left guessing about system size, costs, and potential savings.
Here’s a quick overview of the process. We’ll dive deeper into each section as we move through the article.
A feasibility study provides clear answers by evaluating:
Energy Consumption Data – This is essentially the heartbeat of how your site operates. The process starts with reviewing interval data to track energy usage patterns.
Electricity Costs – Once we know your energy use patterns, we can determine how much solar can offset operational costs.
Site Suitability – Assessing available roof or ground space and the condition of electrical infrastructure. This includes your main switchboards and any sub-boards.
Financial Projections – Estimating savings, return on investment, and payback period.
Regulatory Compliance – Finally, we make sure the project meets any local energy provider, DNSP, or government regulations.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of monitoring and programming your energy, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is Consumption Monitoring?
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How the Feasibility Study Works
1. Gathering Electricity Usage Data
The first step is collecting 12 months of interval data from the business’s electricity bills.
- This data records energy consumption every 15 minutes for an entire year.
- It helps map out electricity demand. This shows how much power the business uses and when it’s using it.
- It also shows how much the business pays for electricity at different times of the day.
We will analyse this data to determine how much solar energy the business could generate and how much it could offset from grid consumption.
2. Site Inspection
After reviewing energy data, we conduct a site inspection.
- We assess the roof space or available ground space for solar panels.
- We inspect main switchboards, sub-boards, and electrical infrastructure to determine the best way to connect the solar system.
- If batteries or inverters are part of the project, they identify the best locations for these components. They take up wall space, after all. We’ll work with you to find the least intrusive spot.
This inspection makes sure that the solar design fits within the property’s physical and electrical limitations.
3. Designing the Solar System
Once we know your energy usage details, we design a solar system customised to your unique energy needs and goals.
- We’ll size the system to reduce grid electricity usage as much as possible.
- We determine the best place to install the solar panels. Usually, it’s a rooftop installation, but we also provide ground-mount solar systems if there’s space on the property.
- The design includes options for battery storage if energy independence or peak-demand savings are the priority.
At this stage, we consider local grid connection requirements. We make sure your system complies with local DNSP regulations (the electrical grid).
4. Financial Analysis and ROI Calculation
We calculate the return on investment (ROI).
- We compare the cost of the solar installation to the projected electricity savings.
- We estimate the commercial solar system’s payback period, typically 4 to 6 years.
- We then provide a financial forecast showing how much you’ll save over the system’s lifetime.
If a business needs financing, we include some options for you:
- CapEx purchase – Paying upfront for full ownership and maximum long-term savings.
- Solar financing or leasing – Spreading payments over 7 to 10 years.
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) – Paying only for electricity the system generates, typically at a lower rate than the grid. In this situation, the installer owns the system, and you purchase electricity from PSC.
Each option has different financial benefits, so you can choose what suits your cash flow and financial strategy best. We will deliver all of this in the report.
5. Presenting the Feasibility Report
We compile all our findings into a detailed feasibility report.
This report includes:
- Solar system design and specifications
- Projected savings and payback period
- Financing options (if applicable)
- Next steps if the business wants to proceed
With this report, business owners and decision-makers can review the costs, savings, and installation logistics before making a final decision.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of a good installer for your solar (the most important component of any system, seriously), you might want to check out the following article titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
Operational & Maintenance Considerations for Commercial Solar Installations
A commercial solar system requires proper monitoring and maintenance.
PSC Provides:
- Remote System Monitoring: PSC and businesses can track real-time performance through monitoring software. We don’t install a system without some form of consumption monitoring.
- Regular Maintenance Plans: We work with you to coordinate servicing. This keeps the system operating at peak efficiency year-round. PSC has a full-time service department to handle this workflow, something many of our competitors cannot claim.
- Warranty & Support: The components we install in our systems are designed to last. We only install solar with long-term reliability and manufacturer-backed warranties. We’re the ones who fulfil them on your behalf should anything need repair or replacement.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about our service department at PSC, you might want to check out the following article titled, Penrith Solar Centre’s Service Department Safeguards the Future of Your System.
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What Happens After the Feasibility Report?
Once the feasibility study is complete, you’ll have a clear picture of what to expect in terms of savings and system performance.
If you decide to proceed, we conduct further due diligence before installation.
This includes:
- Grid Connection Applications – We get the approval from your local energy provider and distributor.
- Engineering & Design Finalisation – We create a detailed plan for installation.
- Final Proposal & Contracting – We deliver a best-and-final proposal for execution.
- Installation Planning & Execution – We schedule the installation with minimal disruption to business operations.
- In-house Teams Install System – Our reliable, experienced professionals install the system.
- Ongoing monitoring & service – We make sure the system operates efficiently for years to come.
- Tailored Financial Planning – We help businesses navigate tax incentives, rebates, and financing options.
- Future Expansion Readiness – We try to make every system we design as scalable as possible. If your energy needs change, we want you to have the best system to add onto if needed.
- Post-Installation Monitoring Setup – We make tracking energy production and savings easy through energy-use monitoring software.
PSC streamlines the entire process, offering a solution that minimises risk.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the differences between energy retailers and distributors, you might want to check out the following article titled, Energy Distributors vs. Energy Retailers: What’s the Difference?
Let’s talk solar savings. Click here.
Wrapping Things Up
For businesses considering solar, a feasibility study is the first and most crucial step. It removes the guesswork, providing the hard numbers needed to make an informed decision. A data-driven approach ensures you get the best value.
By working with an experienced partner like PSC, you can confidently move forward, knowing you are making a sound investment in your energy future.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar panel efficiencies, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Efficient Are Solar Panels? Shade, Heat, and Seasonal Considerations in NSW, Australia.
