Switching to solar: 4 things CEOs should know
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Dominik Huber
Author
Published
Updated 02.09.2025
In times of economic uncertainty, rising and fluctuating energy prices put additional pressure on companies. Solar energy offers companies the opportunity to become independent of this and plan for the long term.
So it's time for CEOs to look for alternatives and combat unpredictable energy costs. Alternatively, solar energy can also be used to generate additional revenue, for example by leasing unused roof space for the operation of a solar power system. Green electricity from the roof can be used cost-effectively and conveniently on site. Buying or renting a solar power system today is therefore no longer a decision between ecology and economy: the question is no longer “why?” but “how?”.
Even though the reasons for solar energy are obvious, the switch might come with a few pitfalls. To avoid these, we have compiled a list of four important things that you, as a managing director, should pay attention to when making the switch.
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1. German bureaucracy does not stop at solar energy
Germany is known for its thoroughness, but also for its energy-absorbing bureaucracy. Many executives underestimate how many internal resources are required to overcome bureaucratic hurdles when switching to solar. It can be very helpful to bring in an experienced partner who can support you with legal, tax, and other planning issues, rather than tying up your own resources.
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2. Errors in project planning are avoidable
From a technical perspective, there are also a number of pitfalls when planning a PV project. An inaccurate site analysis can lead to suboptimal alignment of the PV modules. If your own electricity requirements are not calculated correctly, this will result in a system that is too small. This naturally also affects insurance, which can lead to unpleasant surprises in the event of damage caused by weather events.
In short: Planning a PV system requires a great deal of attention, care, and expertise. To avoid mistakes, it is worth having a partner at your side who has the necessary practical experience and expertise and can protect you from making such mistakes.
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3. There are solar options without upfront costs
Switching to solar does not require a large investment: models such as roof leasing or Energy-as-a-Service can offer just the right amount of flexibility to enable your energy transition.
Since not every company can afford to invest directly in a large solar system, there are other options: depending on your core business, the amount of energy consumed on site, and other factors, renting a solar system may be the more practical option for you. But even if you don't consume much electricity on your premises, you can still benefit from solar energy - for example, by leasing your roof for a fixed fee and thus creating an additional source of income. A flexible partner with a range of concepts in their portfolio can show you all the possibilities.
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4. Sustainability is not the only advantage
Solar energy offers a win-win-win situation: not only for the environment, but also for you as the owner and your tenants. Some business owners only see the ecological aspect here, but solar energy also brings a number of economic advantages. By using solar energy, you can significantly reduce your energy costs, increase the value of your property, and make it more attractive to tenants and potential investors thanks to lower utility costs. At the same time, you can achieve your sustainability goals by reducing CO2 emissions and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as the CSRD.
Start your own energy transition with ENVIRIA – it's radically easy
Our solar concepts include both purchase and lease options - and if you're not sure which model is right for your business, we'll be happy to help you find it. With over 500 completed projects and more than 100 MWp of installed capacity, we have the expertise to support your company in the energy transition and the switch to solar.
Discover our various concepts - and of course, you can contact our energy experts at any time to arrange a free consultation.
FAQs
ENVIRIA offers various models with and without initial investment. When you purchase a solar system, ENVIRIA takes care of the planning and installation and hands it over to you ready to use. Alternatively, you can rent a solar system or lease your roof space for the operation of a solar system, allowing you to benefit from a PV system without any initial investment.
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