Can business owners who lease their facilities get solar?
Are you a business owner who leases your building and don’t think you can do anything about getting solar and the benefits it brings?
There are various challenges for businesses leasing their buildings when it comes to going solar:
Ownership restrictions: Property owners often hesitate to greenlight rooftop solar, leaving tenants stuck paying for high electricity costs
Short-term leases: Businesses are less likely to invest in solar if their lease is uncertain or short-term. Why pay for energy savings you won’t fully benefit from?
Other priorities: Negotiating or re-negotiating lease terms with landlords is hard enough without bringing solar into the mix
Getting solar as a tenant: Here’s how some businesses are making it happen
We’ve been hearing from our customers about the creative ways they’re getting solar on their roofs. Even if you’re a tenant, there are options to make solar happen for your business.
Option 1: Fund solar yourself
If you’ve got the capital, you can arrange for solar installation with your landlord’s approval. Since you’re taking the financial risk, you also keep the savings! This works best for tenants with leases longer than 3-5 years (the time it usually takes for solar to pay for itself).
If you decide to move, you’ve got a few choices:
Take the solar with you (removal costs apply)
Sell it to the landlord (likely at a discount)
Leave it for the next tenant and pass on the feel-good factor!
Option 2: Lease solar
If you don’t have the capital available, you can arrange finance via a third party, and installation from a solar supplier. They may even manage maintenance too. You’ll still need your landlord’s permission, and worth having a discussion about what happens if your lease on the building runs out before the lease on the solar. Some landlords may even want to take over the solar lease!
It’s a little less savings than if you bring the capital yourself but can still cost less than you are paying now for energy, plus you get to power a portion of your building from renewable energy today!
Option 3: Ask your landlord to fund solar
Another route is having the landlord install and own the solar system. They cover the cost (either through their own funds or financing), and you share the savings. In return, they may increase your rent slightly or just enjoy having a more attractive, sustainable property.
If you leave, the solar stays, and the next tenant benefits. This option is great for businesses with shorter leases or limited capital for investment in solar.
Solar for all!
At n0de, we’re here to make solar power accessible to every business, whether you rent or own. You’ve got enough on your plate running a business, so we’ve made the transition to renewables simple and tailored for you.
We’ll walk you through the benefits of going solar, explain your options, and give you straightforward steps to start. No hassle, just the support you need to build a more sustainable and profitable business.
Ready to take action? Book a chat with one of our Founders today. Worst case, you’ll walk away with valuable insights. Best case? We’ll help power up your business for the future. 🌱☀️
