DRAFT Article

The Benefits of Switching to Solar Glass For Your Business

Every business in Australia knows about the rising cost of commercial electricity, which is why so many are turning to solar power. Not only is there a strong environmental imperative for businesses to run on solar rather than fossil fuels, but it’s also an economically smart choice. An exicting innovation of recent years has been the development of solar glass, which can now be installed wherever conventional glass or facade and roofing materials can be used, opening new possibilities for creating energy that is clean, green and free for your business:

1. Save money on electricity bills

The return on investment of solar power has proved to be fantastic for most businesses, with many solar panel systems paying for themselves, thanks to the money saved on electricity bills. Although the amount you save depends on variables such as your business location, the local climate, and the orientation of your solar panels (with a north-facing panel being the preference), you could find that the system pays for itself in 4-7 years.

Thanks to industry leading manufacturer Onyx Solar, new possibilties for long-term cost savings have been opened up by solar glass, which has outstanding thermal insulation properties and can drastically reduce your energy needs and HVAC equipment requirements.

2. Demonstrate a Corporate Green Image

Today more than ever, consumers prefer to associate with businesses that demonstrate a “green” image. As many as 73% of Victorians said they would rather buy from businesses that care about climate change, according to research by Sustainability Victoria.

With sustainability a hot topic amongst industries, businesses have a competitive advantage when they can show they’re working to minimise their carbon footprint. This can be included in your corporate marketing and communications, for a more favourable public image. The purchaser of solar panels may be eligible for renewable energy certificates (REC). Ask your installer how you can benefit.

3. Solar glass is low-maintenance

Most conventional solar panels have no moving parts (aside from tracking arrays) and are made from durable materials that require little to no maintenance. To ensure maximum efficiency throughout the year, it’s recommended that you clean solar panels once every three months. A quick rinse or leaf blower should remove any debris and general build-up, to make sure solar panels are putting out maximum energy production. Building integrated solar glass is also low maintenance and can be maintained under the general building maintenance schedule.

4. Enjoy high reliability and world leading technology

Hume is a distributor in Australia of amorphous silicon and crystalline photovoltaic glass panels created by Onyx Solar. Onyx is a leading design and manufacturing company that specialises in the integration of photovoltaic solar glass onto the surfaces of buildings - what is known as “building integrated photovoltaics” (BiPV). Speak to the experts in the Hume Architectural team at Hume Building Products, for information on sourcing this revolutionary solar technology.

5. You may be eligible for government & tax incentives

Current government incentives in place could mean generating an even faster ROI. With government rebates and feed-in tariffs, businesses in New South Wales, Victoria and across Australia could receive some cash back on each kWh of energy generated by your solar panel system. Talk to your local council and refer to any state specific schemes such as the Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEEC) scheme.

Consult Hume’s industry professionals for advice:

When you need expert advice on solar glass for your business, consult the professionals at Hume. The Hume Architectural team at Hume Building Products can support your project from initial design through to specification, procurement and installation. We partner with the world's leading manufacturer to supply you with only the best products for the job, so you can count on a great return on investment, and a greener way of operating.

Our team can advise on the best use of BiPV solar glass technology for your business, to ensure you’re choosing the most effective solution for your needs and location. We also run CPD presentations on Building Integrated Photovoltaics. For further information, give the Hume Architectural team a call on 9681 9096, or email architectural@humebuildingproducts.com.au.