Rising utility costs continue to be the bane of industries and commercial establishments around the world. For a country like India, which has relied almost extensively on coal-fired projects for energy, mounting tariffs for coal and rail freightage are adding to energy costs every year, compelling Indian manufacturers and corporations to seek another, more sustainable route.

Also consider the fact that India’s coal consumption has doubled over the past decade, contributing to phenomenally high levels of air and land pollution – the average CO2 emissions produced by India’s coal power plants are 14 percent higher than the average in China, and only roughly half of the toxic fly ash refuse produced by these plants is reused domestically – and it is easy to see why Indian industries and businesses are eager to explore renewable energy sources. India is also a major oil consumer, with roughly 40 percent of the country’s 100 million tonnes-annual oil usage attributed to the industrial sector alone.

Enter solar energy: the sunshine sector that promises to significantly bring down energy costs, while also reducing the strain placed by commercial activities on the environment. To encourage commercial businesses to adopt solar and renewable energy, the Government of India is also offering attractive tax rebates, which further bring down the burden of costs for Indian companies. In view of all these strategic benefits of solar panels to businesses, let us take a look at industries that stand to gain the most from the switch to solar power.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing processes are tremendously energy intensive, and in the absence of corrective measures to mitigate these costs, the burden of costs is often passed down to the end-consumers. Here, solar energy and the benefits of solar panels present an excellent opportunity to offset some of these costs and ensure more profitable operations. Typical manufacturing facilities are housed in buildings with large roofs, which offer ample space for rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. Opting for solar power will ensure more profitable operations, aided in large part by tax incentives and subsidies.

Mining

Approximately 10 percent of the world’s energy consumption is dedicated to the extraction and processing of mineral resources. Mining companies also have to contend with very high electricity costs, owing to their often remote locations while unreliable electricity infrastructure contributes to this sector’s mounting energy crisis. Mining companies stand to gain incredible cost advantages from solar energy, which not only helps them to counter rising energy tariffs but also avoid the losses arising from high transportation costs for diesel as well as theft. Equipping mining facilities with rooftop solar power units can help ensure more efficient and economical operations.

Agriculture

The Indian economy is still largely agrarian, with agriculture and allied industries such as forestry and fisheries contributing 13.7 percent of the country’s GDP. Agricultural activities, especially in poultries and dairy farms, consume large amounts of electricity, especially with the use of modernised technologies that increase output and efficiency. Using the available rooftop spaces for solar rooftop solutions allows this sector to enjoy the benefits of clean energy, while also retaining complete control on their energy expenses.

Commercial enterprises

Commercial establishments such as office buildings, retail outlets and warehouses, are suitable candidates for rooftop solar energy. Lower maintenance costs, quick return on investments, long-term savings and being recognized as an environment-conscious organization are some of the many benefits that companies can gain out of solar panels’ installation.

To aid their transition to solar energy, companies will need to rely on the focused expertise of reliable rooftop solar company such as Mahindra Susten, which has a rooftop portfolio of over 20MW. Working with the right EPC contractor can help companies across verticals to ensure that their projects are completed in a timely manner and in keeping with their budget specifications.