Lock In Your Energy Cost
Typical Commercial
ROI: 6-9 Years
Average Lifespan
Of Solar Panels
- Small Solar System Cost Analysis
- Medium Solar System Cost Analysis
- Large Solar System Cost Analysis




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Solar ROI Factors
- Non-Profit Status
- Utility Policy & Rates
- Tax Liability
- Roof vs Ground Mount
- Roof Type & Material
- Permitting & Interconnection Fees
- Electrical Service
- Sizing & Targets
- Earthworks & Environmental Considerations
Non Profits lack the tax liability that makes the 30% FITC credit a feasible component of the ROI for a large scale solar project. The Inflation Reduction Act has promised that soon Non-Profits will be eligible for a 30% Direct Pay incentive but how this will function has not be laid out yet.
This single most important factor to your business’s ROI for solar. Every utility has different rate structures that influence how you pay for your energy. Solar can influence these rates in a lot of different ways: either shaving your demand charges or dropping you into an entirely new rate structure. Establishing where you are at in your utilities rates and how solar can impact them is where Arch comes in.
If your business or organization does not have the tax liability to cover the FITC for 30% of the system cost then you will not be able to take advantage of that benefit and so will have a significantly longer ROI.
Roof mounted solar often the cheaper and easier option from a business perspective as it occupies previously unused space. But height, roof pitch, and roof material can all have an impact on the difficulty of installation and corresponding cost. A ground might could be a simpler install and offer more flexibility in array configuration which can increase ROI. However, distance from the interconnection point (usually a CT cabinet or Transformer), grading concerns, and trenching costs, can all negatively impact ROI.
There are many roof variables that impact costs. Roof access, ease of movement, safety, and height to name a few. A flat roof with ample room to move and easy access via a lift to bring up materials is going to be cheaper than a metal pitched roof with no access points to transport materials.
Every municipality will have a different permitting process and associated costs that can vary dramatically. Similarly, each utility has a different process for connecting solar to their energy gird, which can also come with a wide variation in costs.
Solar energy systems need to connect to your existing electrical service. Your ROI can be impacted by how difficult this interconnection is and if there needs to be any upgrades before the solar can be connected.
What your business is looking to achieve with solar is a key factor in ROI. Some businesses are looking to meet sustainability requirements and therefore have a specific offset in mind. Some companies are looking for a marketing value add. Others may have serious energy consumption that they need to find a solution for. Each of these different scenarios would have a different system design and sizing process.
If there needs to be substantial grading or earthworks done as a part of your project that can add a significant cost to your project that is not related to the solar directly. Your installation partner should work with you to assess if there are any local ordinances or environmental factors that would require such work for a solar project to take place.
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Solar Energy For
Businesses In WI
Every business, whether it’s a local store, school district, or a manufacturer, is looking for ways to decrease their operational costs while promoting clean, renewable sources of energy. As one of the top commercial solar installers in Madison, WI and the surrounding areas for over 15 years, Arch Solar has installed and maintained solar power systems for businesses in Wisconsin and across the country. We’re focused on providing turn-key solar systems built for reliability and quality, no matter the industry.
When it comes to choosing commercial solar installers in Milwaukee, WI and the surrounding areas, Arch Solar is your number one choice. With site location, utility bills, and objectives, we can help you understand how solar can meet your goals.
Based on your energy objectives, a combination of desktop and onsite analysis, our conceptual design will propose a practical and financial overview.
Advancing the system design to prepare permitted deliverables includes engineering (electrical, civil, and structural) best practices, analytical tools, and system performance modeling programs.
Marketing opportunities abound as aerial imagery offers a unique perspective to showcase your property from the sky.
Traditional PV System inspections and troubleshooting involve manually examining each panel or string by hand. Aerial inspections via drone are efficient and cost effective, avoiding unnecessary man-hours spent on large utility sites and the risks associated with sending maintenance teams to roof-top inspections.
As a member of the Amicus Cooperative, we have literally hundreds of megawatts of procurement-buying power for top-tier equipment. Our construction managers and site supervisors are successful with project types of varied complexities and constraints.
Arch Solar is one of the top commercial solar installers in Madison, WI and the surrounding areas. We offer full-service operation and maintenance services ranging from remote system monitoring and diagnosis to onsite annual service based on a detailed operations and maintenance best practice standard.