Solar Panels for Businesses

The cost depends on the installed capacity (kWp), the type of system, the complexity of the grid connection, and any additional systems. As a rough guideline: medium-sized industrial installations typically start at several hundred thousand euros. A sound business case always requires a customized feasibility study. Solora conducts this analysis before you make an investment decision, with no obligation.

For industrial installations, the payback period is generally between 5 and 9 years, depending on the consumption profile, energy prices, and the level of self-consumption. A system combined with battery storage and an EMS consistently performs better because it is less dependent on fluctuating grid prices and actively reduces capacity charges.

The lead time for an industrial EPC project typically ranges from 3 to 6 months, depending on the scale and the permitting process. Waiting times with the grid operator for a grid connection are currently a bottleneck in Belgium and the Netherlands. An early discussion about planning is therefore not a minor matter: it helps determine the timing of your investment.

That depends on how the original installation was designed. Solora designs every solar farm with future BESS integration in mind: the electrical infrastructure and inverters are sized so that a battery system can be added later without costly modifications. For installations by other parties, we first conduct a technical audit to assess feasibility.

A technical audit quickly identifies the cause: dirt buildup, inverter degradation, shading from new obstacles, or an original design that was too optimistic. Solora conducts audits on existing installations—even those built by other companies—and draws up a remediation plan if necessary.

The European EPBD Directive requires new non-residential buildings above a certain floor area threshold to incorporate solar energy. In Belgium, this is implemented on a regional basis. Companies that plan now can avoid time pressure and higher installation costs as the deadline approaches. Contact us for the current status of the regulations in your region.

The optimal size is determined by your consumption profile, the available surface area, and your financial parameters. As a general rule, Solora aims for a size that maximizes your self-consumption without causing you to consistently produce more than you consume, as surplus feed-in yields diminishing returns. A feasibility study will provide you with a concrete, customized capacity recommendation.

That question cannot be answered without a roof assessment. Solora conducts a structural assessment as part of the feasibility study. In this assessment, we examine the roof type, age, construction, and the available load-bearing capacity. If modifications are needed, they are incorporated into the overall design.

High-quality solar panels have a technical lifespan of 25 to 30 years. After 25 years, a well-maintained system still produces 80 to 85 percent of its original capacity. Inverters have a shorter lifespan of 10 to 15 years and will need to be replaced during that time. Through repowering, an existing solar farm can be upgraded with newer components to achieve a significant increase in efficiency without a complete rebuild.

The capacity charge is calculated based on your highest 15-minute grid consumption value per month. Solar panels reduce your total grid consumption but do not automatically smooth out consumption peaks. If your peak consumption occurs on cloudy winter mornings, your solar farm has little impact on that. For a structural reduction in the capacity charge, peak shaving via battery storage is the most effective approach.