Most businesses operate in the daytime so their energy consumption occurs at the same time as the solar energy generation, a perfect demand matching supply time, all we need to do now is the calculations to make the amounts add up.
As with domestic systems a bell curve with peak generation at midday from a south facing system is not as useful as a system facing east/west giving a much flatter generation curve. Take for instance a business working from 8.00am to 6.00pm, it makes no sense to have a south facing only system which gives a gradual energy increase peaking at midday, and tailing off in the afternoon. What would be better commercially is to have a system with east and west facing panels at a low angle that will give generation earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon, and much flatter whole day generation profile.
Financially there is nothing business hates more than unpredictability! Adding solar generation to the roof of the building reduces the outgoing cash flow and adds insulation against future energy cost increases. Once the capital cost is covered the solar system will not only produce free energy for the business to use for probably in excess of 30 years, it will reduce the outgoing annual costs and insulate business cash flow from the vagaries of the energy market. Most premium panel manufacturers now offer a full 25 year guarantee with SunPower now offering a 40 year guarantee.
From a publicity perspective it will also indicate significant business social and climate responsibility, and prestige, offering CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and reducing carbon emissions.
