Impacts of Regional Electricity Prices and Building Type on the Economics of Commercial Photovoltaic Systems
Business owners often have a choice between multiple electricity rate options. For businesses with photovoltaic (PV) installations, choosing the right rate is essential to maximize the value of PV generation. The complex interaction between PV generation, building load, and rate structure makes determining the best rate a challenging task. We evaluated 207 rate structures across 77 locations and 16 commercial building types and identified the impacts of regional electricity prices and building type on the economics of solar PV systems. Results for expected solar value that result from bill savings are reported for all locations, building types, and rate structures evaluated. Aggregated results are also reported, showing general trends across various impact categories.