While it takes a significant investment to install hundreds of panels to generate the kind of power we’ve discussed, solar energy is infinite and renewable. There are efficient ways to save money even at smaller scales as well. “One is community solar,” Peters says. “They’re subscribing to an offsite project. These are projects that are typically at least within their state, if not within their local geography. And they’re getting a discount to their energy bill just for participating in that.” These are the conversations that can take place in an initial consultation with a reputable solar provider. ‘You Can Go As Sophisticated As You Want With This Stuff’ It’s possible that you looked into solar panels five or six years ago and determined it was not the right move financially. Peters says it might be time to look again. “I’d encourage folks who’ve looked into solar a few years ago to maybe give it a second look now, considering the Inflation Reduction Act [2022] and all the different incentives that follow there,” Peters says. A large-scale solar panel installation might take 12-18 months from initial conversation to fully constructed, and they should last for decades. Pivot Energy, for example, warranties its panels for 25 years. After that time, they should be producing at 80% of the original output. Kadam expects them to produce in a viable way for over 40 years. Whether you’re looking to install hundreds of panels, reap tax incentives, use net metering to generate profit, store energy on a battery, or create systems that track your power usage with reports better than your utility company could provide, the possibilities will continue to evolve. “You can go as sophisticated as you want with this stuff,” Vernon says. And Gray reminds us that you are not required to choose between solar power and the grid. “We’re still connected to the grid,” Gray says. “It’s failsafe from a liability perspective. It’s not like if it gets cloudy, you lose electric.” All of this is underscored by the environmental benefits. “It’s just the right thing to do,” Vernon says. Geiger is planning to add additional panels to its current solar array. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center, where The PPAI Expo is held, is powered by solar panels. If the promo industry’s future was already looking bright, then perhaps harnessing some of the brightest moments for power would be fitting. As long as the sun is shining, it’s there to provide power. Auping is the news editor at PPAI. Solar Power | Must Read Instead of putting that excess power into the grid, a company with solar panels can store it on a battery and thus hold it for when they need it. PPAI • JUNE 2023 • 63
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