Projects like Panasonic Eco Solutions’ installation at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Coors Event Center — Panasonic’s second project with the University — go more smoothly than it otherwise might.
The U.S. Energy Information Agency calls the future of solar bright, projecting that it will be the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in the United States until 2035. Still, as the number of building owners and sustainability officers looking to incorporate solar into their facilities grows, many still find pulling the trigger easier said than done. Until now.
Traditional solar models often require the involvement of different third-party vendors at each phase of development. From the start, facility managers and sustainability officers must engage with one firm for concept, another for financing, yet another for installation — and the list goes on. Partnering with multiple vendors causes solar projects to become disjointed and inefficient, resulting in cost increases, missed deadlines and frustration. In addition, dealing with multiple contracts, production guarantees and product warranties can cause unnecessary headaches and worry about reputation and brand image.
As the demand for solar increases, a new wave of solutions is streamlining the process, making it easier than ever for organizations to jump in with both feet. Instead of moving from one third-party to the next, organizations can now join forces with fully integrated providers that serve as one-stop shops for going solar. Through these strategic partnerships, executives now have access to an end-to-end solution that includes the design, engineering, procurement, construction, financing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of solar projects, taking the complexity out of the process.
Removing Barriers
Chief Sustainability Officers and facility managers who want to guarantee the life, output, and returns on investment of their solar systems know it is not just about providing a low-cost, high-energy output system: Experience, longevity, and reputation are also key. They need a system that lasts and accomplishes their goals without the hassle and worry of wondering if the company they selected will still be around to stand behind their work 20 years from now.
These new integrated solar models provide a level of support and quality assurance missing from traditional systems. A full-spectrum, comprehensive solution through a single, trusted partner makes pursuing solar a more efficient process from beginning to end. With credible, end-to-end providers simplifying the process, barriers that once impeded projects are removed, bringing even more projects — from universities to shopping centers — a viable option for going solar.
Jamie Evans is Managing Director and Head of U.S. Eco Solutions for Panasonic Eco Solutions North America and is charged with managing all aspects of Panasonic’s expanding U.S. eco solutions platform.
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