Cash with green benefits: 10 ways for companies to generate profits through photovoltaics

Invoices from suppliers, rent, vehicle costs, employee salaries, investments in operating resources, etc. – the running costs that companies face account for a number of items on the balance sheet. Higher revenues, profits, and potential savings are therefore crucial factors in ensuring the further development of a company – and not just in times of a recession. What some people may not realize is that earning money with photovoltaics is entirely possible.  

While climate change is also calling on companies to become more sustainable, inflation is urging them to save money. As a business, you can get closer to both goals – more sustainable and more economic company practices – by using solar energy. In this checklist, we have summarized for you where the profitability of a PV system lies and how profits can be increased through the savings potential generated.

Profit potential 1: Price stability through self-consumption

Photovoltaic systems are primarily used to cover your own electricity requirements. This has a long-term impact on the electricity bill. Because whether companies buy or rent their own solar system: Green photovoltaic electricity from solar energy is cheaper in the long term than energy from the public grid. Depending on the solar model, the initial purchase costs may be higher (we have explained this in more detail in our blog article "Buy or rent a solar system?"). However, the long-term savings potential of sustainable solar power exists regardless of whether you purchase your own photovoltaic system or use an energy-as-a-service model (pv rental model). 

Even when buying a PV system, the following applies: as the cost of conventional electricity sources tends to rise, investing in a solar system offers a degree of price stability and can protect against rising electricity prices in the long term.  

Profit potential 2: Selling electricity for feed-in tariffs

Generating too much electricity that exceeds your own needs? As the operator of a photovoltaic system, you can feed electricity into the public grid for a fixed price – the so-called feed-in tariff – and thus create an additional source of income. In this way, i.e. by selling electricity, a solar system can generate a profit.   

Profit potential 3: Use electricity storage and increase the yield of the solar system

Companies can use battery storage systems to store surplus electricity from the photovoltaic system when it exceeds the current electricity demand and use it later – even when the sun is not shining. The combination of a PV system with an electricity storage system thus increases independence from the public electricity grid, as well as the profitability of the system, and further reduces the electricity bill from external electricity sources – which in turn creates new profits.  

Profit potential 4: Increase property value through PV systems

Photovoltaic systems on commercial roof areas increase the value of the property in the long term. This is of particular interest to real estate funds: If they operate their own PV systems on properties, this can lead to tax disadvantages. However, real estate funds have the option of making roofs available for a PV system and leasing them back to the relevant service provider to avoid these disadvantages. This is because electricity sales and operational management are then the responsibility of the service provider, not the real estate fund. The benefits of photovoltaics are obvious: additional rental income and sustainable energy for the tenants of the real estate properties – not to mention the improved image. 

Keep in mind: Only service providers with specialized and distinct legal knowledge are qualified to accompany throughout this process and to implement this concept.  

Profit potential 5: Use solar power for electric vehicles

The combination of a solar system with charging infrastructure for electric cars leads to further sustainable benefits and savings. Apart from the fact that PV electricity is generally cheaper than petrol or diesel, an intelligent load management system enables greater savings potential for companies whose vehicle fleet relies on electromobility. Among other things, this system ensures that the available electricity from the PV system is distributed intelligently among vehicles and that times of low demand on the energy market are used to purchase electricity. Companies with large electric vehicle fleets generate clear financial benefits here and manage to save money with solar.  

Profit potential 6: Lease roof area

Do you have very low electricity requirements as a company, or even none at all? Despite everything, there are opportunities to become a pioneer in sustainable business and earn money with photovoltaics: by leasing roof space. If a company leases its roof area to an external service provider, there are no PV acquisition costs or internal expenses, as the service provider is responsible for operating the system. As a company, however, you benefit from additional rental income and low-cost tenant electricity – which increases profits and reduces electricity bills.  

Profit potential 7: Benefit from tax breaks 

Companies that purchase electricity from a photovoltaic system benefit from tax exemptions, for example regarding electricity tax, concession fees and grid charges. These financial benefits ensure, among others, that the purchase of a PV system pays for itself faster. 

Profit potential 8: Increase customer loyalty and enjoy a competitive advantage

The use of renewable energies such as photovoltaics helps achieve environmental goals and can therefore strengthen a company's brand image. In the long term, this can translate into greater customer loyalty and a competitive advantage. And not just on the customer side, as sustainable companies are also becoming increasingly attractive to employees on the labor market. The benefits of photovoltaics are therefore not only monetary, but also have significance for your growth and workforce. This is a particular advantage, especially in times of skills shortages.  

Profit potential 9: Take advantage of solar subsidy programs

State and regional incentive programs that subsidize or otherwise support the purchase and installation of solar systems can help companies improve their return on investment and even increase the profitability of a PV system. 

Profit potential 10: Implementing a photovoltaic system as a joint venture

If a company wants to benefit from the advantages of a solar system, but without the initial costs and with professional support, there is the option of doing this as a joint venture with PV experts. In this concept, the external service provider provides equity, takes care of the planning and installation of the system, and gradually transfers the relevant knowledge to the company. In addition to the long-term financial benefits of sustainable electricity, companies gain additional expertise from professionals.  

Ensuring the profitability of a PV system: What companies should consider

If you want to profit from a solar installation, you need to consider several factors that influence its yield and profitability, such as location, orientation, all costs incurred, size, and electricity requirements. The last two factors in particular should be coordinated with each other. External service providers can provide advice and support here with a corresponding simulation and profitability calculation.