Solar flags help green businesses shine. Studies show that environmentally responsible businesses improve their brand image, attract more new clients, see higher profits and lower operating costs, and enjoy improved employee productivity and morale.

That's why more and more Wisconsin businesses are installing renewable energy systems, including solar flags. Placed in a highly visible location - such as a parking lot or lawn - a solar flag is a great way to display your organization’s commitment to a cleaner environment.

A solar flag can help your business:

• Enhance your reputation as an environmentally friendly company
• Set a good example for your employees and other businesses
• Provide a valuable educational opportunity for your community
• Demonstrate your dedication to a clean energy future

And because solar flags can be installed for a relatively small investment, they make a great first step toward a larger solar electric system and other forms of renewable energy.

An economical solution
Solar flags are an affordable way to explore the benefits of clean, renewable energy. Focus on Energy Cash-Back Rewards, federal tax credits and federal five-year accelerated depreciation can reduce your total cost by more than 50 percent - to as little as $2,500 per flag, installed.

More benefits of solar flags
Solar flags are pole-mounted systems that can be installed in highly visible locations and positioned optimally to capture sunlight. Installing a solar flag does not involve attaching anything to your building, and the occasional maintenance requirements do not include a trip to the roof. Also, unlike roof-mounted systems, solar flags do not need to be removed and reinstalled when the roof is repaired or replaced.

Choosing a solar flag
Solar flags come in three types:

• Stationary systems. The most common and least expensive, these solar flags are usually oriented to receive the best average sunlight throughout the year.
• Manually adjustable systems are stationary panels that can be adjusted twice a year to account for the sun's change of position in winter. These systems increase annual system production by about 5 percent compared to stationary systems.
• Dual-axis tracking systems provide optimal positioning by following the sun's daily movement from east to west and its change in altitude throughout the seasons. These systems increase electricity production by about 30 percent compared to stationary systems.

How to get started
To better understand the economics and suitability of a solar flag for your site, including information about your tax status and eligibility for special utility incentives, Focus on Energy recommends a commercial solar site assessment. During this assessment, a certified assessor will visit your site and evaluate its suitability for a solar electric system, and make recommendations for the best size and type of system to meet your needs.

Your assessor will also help you identify opportunities to make your facility more energy efficient - saving you additional energy and money. For your convenience, Focus has compiled these energy-saving tips for businesses to help you get started.

To schedule a site assessment, click here and see section 2 at the bottom of the page.

For more information
How can Focus on Energy help your business become more green? Call us at 800.762.7077 today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and offer advice to guide you every step of the way.

Other Focus on Energy resources

Fact Sheets:

Flying a solar flag: Pole-mounted renewable electricity for businesses and nonprofits

Renewable energy projects: Guiding you through the process

The benefits and costs of large commercial solar electric systems

Links:

Focus on Energy Solar Electric Incentives

Solar Electric Full Service Installers