
We Are Your Energy Partner
Business Solar & Energy Storage FAQ
Navigating solar projects for businesses require precision. We’ve answered the most critical questions regarding commercial system engineering, utility interconnection, and project timelines. Empower your stakeholders with the facts and build total confidence in our turnkey clean energy solutions.
General
What types of Energy Solutions does Polaron offer?

What types of Energy Solutions does Polaron offer?
Solar Energy
How Do Commercial Solar PV Systems Work?

How Do Commercial Solar PV Systems Work?
Why are Commercial Businesses Going Solar?

Why are Commercial Businesses Going Solar?
Why are the Environmental Benefits of Commercial Solar?

Why are the Environmental Benefits of Commercial Solar?
What rebates and incentives are available for my business?

What rebates and incentives are available for my business?
Commercial solar incentives vary by province, utility territory, project type, business structure, and program availability.
However, there are certain programs that are available all across Canada.
The Net Metering Program is available in all the provinces we service, which allows you to collect credits for the energy you export to the grid and offset future months' energy bills.
The Federal Tax Incentives are also available across Canada, which include the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit reducing your total system cost & the Capital Cost Allowance, which allows you to enable a tax write-off through depreciating the cost of the equipment.
Polaron reviews province & business-specific applicable programs during project development and can help identify your eligibility to improve project economics. Incentive programs are time-limited, so we encourage you to contact us and check your availability for each project.
To learn more, visit our Commercial Solar Incentives page.
What information do I need to get a commercial solar quote?

What information do I need to get a commercial solar quote?
To prepare an accurate commercial solar proposal, we typically start with 12 months of complete utility bills, the property address or installation location, and basic information about the building, including the roof type and roof age.
For a more detailed assessment, we also recommend providing 12 months of hourly electricity consumption data, particularly for facilities with demand charges or projects considering battery storage. This allows our team to better understand when and how your facility uses electricity and develop a more optimized system design and financial analysis.
Additional information, such as photos of the utility meter, architectural or roof drawings, and an outline of the available rooftop or ground-mount area, can also help improve the accuracy of the initial assessment.
Don't have everything available? That's okay. Our team can help identify what information is needed and guide you through the process.
How long does it take to install a commercial solar system?

How long does it take to install a commercial solar system?
How does the utility interconnection process work?

How does the utility interconnection process work?
Commercial solar projects require review and approval from the local electricity utility before the system can operate in parallel with the grid.
The process includes an initial capacity review, formal interconnection application, engineering studies, technical drawings, protection requirements, utility agreements, inspections, and final permission to operate.
Requirements and timelines vary considerably depending on the utility, system size, site electrical infrastructure, and available grid capacity.
Polaron handles the interconnection process on behalf of all our clients as part of our turnkey solution. Final approval and timelines remain subject to the local utility and other applicable authorities.
What is the typical Payback Period & ROI for Commercial Solar?

What is the typical Payback Period & ROI for Commercial Solar?
How much roof space do I need?

How much roof space do I need?
As a general starting point, a minimum 10 kW commercial solar system may require approximately 1000 sq. ft. of usable roof space, with larger systems requiring proportionally more area. The amount of roof space required depends on the desired system capacity, module efficiency, roof layout, structural conditions, setbacks, obstructions, and applicable building and fire-code requirements.
Not every square foot of roof area can necessarily be used for solar. Mechanical equipment, skylights, drainage paths, access routes, shading, structural loading, and required clearances all affect the final layout.
Polaron reviews satellite imagery, building drawings, electricity consumption, and site information to estimate how much solar capacity can reasonably be installed.
What roof types are suitable for commercial solar?

What roof types are suitable for commercial solar?
Do I need to own the building to install solar?

Do I need to own the building to install solar?
Businesses operating from leased properties can still be able to install solar with the property owner's authorization and an appropriate agreement between the parties.
For leased properties, important considerations include the remaining lease term, responsibility for the solar equipment, access rights, roof maintenance obligations, insurance requirements, and what happens to the system if the lease ends or the property is sold.
Polaron can work with both tenants and property owners to evaluate whether a solar project is practical for a leased facility.
How does Net Metering work?

How does Net Metering work?
How does Behind-The-Meter Work?

How does Behind-The-Meter Work?
What factors determine the feasibility of solar for a commercial property?

What factors determine the feasibility of solar for a commercial property?
Commercial solar feasibility depends on several factors, including available roof or ground space, roof condition and structural capacity, shading, electrical infrastructure, utility connection requirements, and the facility’s electricity consumption and load profile. Financial considerations such as utility rates, available incentives, project costs, and expected energy savings also play an important role. A site and energy assessment brings these factors together to determine the appropriate system size, expected production, and overall project feasibility.
What is the lifespan of commercial solar panels and related equipment?

What is the lifespan of commercial solar panels and related equipment?
What happens on cloudy days, at night, or in winter?

What happens on cloudy days, at night, or in winter?
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
What is BESS? (Battery Energy Storage Systems)

What is BESS? (Battery Energy Storage Systems)
Why are Businesses Getting BESS?

Why are Businesses Getting BESS?
1. Critical load backup
2. Peak demand shaving
3. Time-of-use optimization
There are direct financial benefits & protection for business operations for each application, depending on the facility's energy usage, utility rate structure, and operational requirements. Paired BESS with Solar & EV Charging Solutions creates long-term value for businesses and their energy infrastructure.
What happens to a BESS during a power outage?

What happens to a BESS during a power outage?
What is Peak Demand Shaving?

What is Peak Demand Shaving?
What is Time of Use Optimization?

What is Time of Use Optimization?
What size BESS does my business need?

What size BESS does my business need?
How long can a Commercial Battery provide Backup Power for?

How long can a Commercial Battery provide Backup Power for?
How long do the commercial battery systems last?

How long do the commercial battery systems last?
Are there incentives for commercial battery energy storage in Canada?

Are there incentives for commercial battery energy storage in Canada?
Commercial EV Charging
Can I install EV chargers at my business?

Can I install EV chargers at my business?
What type of EV charger does my business need?

What type of EV charger does my business need?
Are there incentives available for commercial EV charging?

Are there incentives available for commercial EV charging?
What if my building does not have enough electrical capacity for EV charging?

What if my building does not have enough electrical capacity for EV charging?
Product
What types of Solar PV Systems does Polaron offer?

What types of Solar PV Systems does Polaron offer?
What type of Commercial Solar Panels does Polaron offer?

What type of Commercial Solar Panels does Polaron offer?
What type of Battery Energy Storage Systems does Polaron offer?

What type of Battery Energy Storage Systems does Polaron offer?
What type of EV Chargers does Polaron offer?

What type of EV Chargers does Polaron offer?
Does Polaron Use Microinverters or String Inverters?

Does Polaron Use Microinverters or String Inverters?
What kind of Solar Racking Solutions does Polaron offer?

What kind of Solar Racking Solutions does Polaron offer?
Can battery storage be paired with commercial solar?

Can battery storage be paired with commercial solar?
Can EV chargers be integrated with solar and battery storage?

Can EV chargers be integrated with solar and battery storage?
Does the solar energy system operate during a power outage?

Does the solar energy system operate during a power outage?
What is the difference between air-cooled and liquid-cooled commercial battery systems?

What is the difference between air-cooled and liquid-cooled commercial battery systems?
Can the BESS operate without solar panels?

Can the BESS operate without solar panels?
Are the Commercial Battery Systems Safe?

Are the Commercial Battery Systems Safe?
Finance
Do you offer financing or leasing options for commercial solar systems?

Do you offer financing or leasing options for commercial solar systems?
Do you offer financing for commercial battery storage projects?

Do you offer financing for commercial battery storage projects?
Is it better for a business to choose an in-house financing program or standard solar leasing for businesses?

Is it better for a business to choose an in-house financing program or standard solar leasing for businesses?
Will installing solar panels increase the value of my commercial property?

Will installing solar panels increase the value of my commercial property?
Can my business claim the federal Clean Technology ITC?

Can my business claim the federal Clean Technology ITC?
Eligibility depends on factors such as business ownership structure & labor requirements.
Polaron can help structure project information around applicable incentive requirements; however, tax eligibility is ultimately determined under federal legislation, and we encourage businesses to confirm their individual tax circumstance with their accountant or tax advisor.







