Are Solar Panels Right for Your Business

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and switch to clean energy for your business, installing commercial solar panels may be an option worth considering. Solar energy has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its eco-friendliness, sustainability, and relative affordability, thanks to tax incentives. But solar panels aren’t for everyone, and before you make the switch, it’s important you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy for commercial use.

What is Solar Power?

Solar power is a sustainable and eco-friendly source of energy that utilizes the power of the sun to generate heat and electricity. Because sunlight is abundant and readily available almost anywhere in the world, solar energy production is an attractive alternative to more finite resources like conventional fossil fuels. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy using one of several methods, but one of the most popular is photovoltaic (PV) panels which are used in the conventional solar panels you picture when you see the word “solar.” These panels generate electricity when sunlight hits them by using internal PV cells to absorb sunlight and convert that energy into electricity.

Commercial and Residential Solar Panels

It’s important to note that there are differences between commercial and residential solar panels. Commercial solar systems are larger and more complex than residential systems, typically more expensive, and require a higher degree of planning and design. However, our team here at Stonewater is well-equipped to install solar panels on projects big and small. When working with experts, much of the process is similar, just on a different scale.

Advantages of Solar Energy

Solar panels installed on the roof of a large commercial facility.

Solar is a clean and renewable energy source, which means it doesn’t produce carbon dioxide emissions like fossil fuels. As a result, when a home or a business installs solar panels, they significantly reduce their carbon footprint by utilizing a cleaner and more abundant energy source. In addition, solar panels, while having a higher initial buy-in, can provide a hedge against rising energy costs and help you save money in the long run. Plus, many federal and state tax credits are available for businesses to encourage solar energy adoption, helping to mitigate some of the costs involved in the installation.

Another positive of solar energy is a concept called “net metering.” Because solar panels generate electricity continuously, they can sometimes create more than homes or businesses can use. With net metering, panel owners can feed this excess energy back to the grid and receive compensation for the surplus electricity they produce. This additional income can help businesses offset the initial costs of adopting solar energy, making it easier to justify the investment. The specifics of the process can vary from state to state, though, so it’s essential to research net metering thoroughly before making any decisions.

Things to Consider

As previously mentioned, the initial cost of installing a solar panel system can be more than some people would like to spend, and while it may yield long-term savings, it also may take several years to see a return on your investment. Additionally, solar panels aren’t suitable for every location. If your building is heavily shaded, any solar infrastructure you invest in may not get utilized as well as it should. Moreover, solar panels, like any utility, may require periodic maintenance and repairs. Given their specific nature, the repair cost may be higher due to the need to work with a qualified specialist.

Fortunately, here at Stonewater Roofing, we have you covered! Stonewater provides comprehensive solar services for both residential and commercial properties, and we are committed to educating Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas residents on the benefits of sustainability through solar energy. If you’re interested in learning more about how solar energy can benefit you, contact us today!

Commercial Solar Panel Installation

A professional roofer installs solar panels on a commercial building.

When installing commercial solar panels, the process can vary significantly depending on the size and location of your facility. If you’ve decided to move forward with the installation, it’s important to do your research and work with experts like our team here at Stonewater to help you choose the right system for your building. These professionals can help you take advantage of net metering and tax incentives that may be relevant to you, ensuring the installation process is as cost-effective as possible. By working with a reliable installer, you can streamline the process of generating cleaner energy and maximize the benefits for your business.

Conclusion

Investing in solar panels can be a smart choice for both homeowners and businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy bills. But it’s essential to do your research and carefully consider the initial costs before making a decision. Partnering with a reputable installer can ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you get the most out of your investment.

At Stonewater Roofing, we understand the importance of this decision and are dedicated to providing top-notch service to our clients. Our team of experts will guide you through the entire process, from conducting an energy assessment to site surveying and installation. We are committed to helping you achieve your sustainability goals while saving you money. To get started, schedule a free energy assessment with us today and take the first step towards a brighter future with solar energy!

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Stonewater Scholarship Awarded To 10 High School Seniors

For the third straight year, the Stonewater Roofing Scholarship is helping high school seniors inch closer toward achieving their dreams. This time, a total of 10 graduating students from DFW to Arkansas each received $1,000 prizes. This is the most number of students that Stonewater has ever awarded in a single year.

It’s time to meet the 2023 Stonewater Roofing Scholarship winners!


Arianna Medina

Arianna Medina: Arianna is a senior at Georgetown High School and the first winner from the Central Texas area. She plans to study psychology at UT San Antonio in the fall. Having volunteered at child advocacy centers and seeing the mental struggles that some kids face, she strives to help children get through the difficult times in their lives. Arianna also leads an organization called The Locker which helps provide school supplies to young students, much like Stonewater’s own #ClearTheList initiative.


Carson Wallace

Carson Wallace: Carson attends Spring Hill High School in Longview and wants to pursue a career in education. He is an avid reader and lifelong learner, but he struggles with ADHD. He is thankful for the teachers in his life who recognized his difficulties early on and helped him overcome them. Carson now wants to follow in their footsteps and inspire future students to become the very best version of themselves.


Cooper Madden

Cooper Madden: Cooper is the first homeschooled student to win the Stonewater Roofing Scholarship, and he plans to attend LeTourneau University in Longview this fall. Cooper’s family has always had an interest in business, and this Carthage student is no different. In fact, he told his story to Stonewater from the perspective of a roofing salesman, knocking on doors and asking to check the roof for scholarship opportunities. Very clever, Cooper!


Dylan Rose

Dylan Rose: Dylan is the first student outside of Texas to be awarded a Stonewater Roofing Scholarship. He attends Ashdown High School in Arkansas, and he will be going to UT Austin later this year to study computational engineering. His love for nature brought him to a love for math and science. He wants to develop new methods of clean, renewable energy, all in an effort to help protect the environment that he loves so dearly.


Hailey Pitman

Hailey Pitman: Hailey is a senior at Longview High School and will be heading to Kilgore College this fall to study kinesiology. She has been an athlete and dancer throughout her early years, but often struggled with injuries that kept her sidelined. She now wants to help other athletes prevent such injuries, or continue past them. Her greatest dream is to one day be an athletic trainer for the Dallas Cowboys.


Ivy Brackeen

Ivy Brackeen: Ivy will be attending Southwestern University in Georgetown after graduating from Lindale High School. While she appreciates art in all forms — and even made her own a Stonewater Roofing painting — her ultimate goal is to become a stop motion animator. On top of that, Ivy is also studying ASL and doing work within the deaf community to help them gain a greater appreciation of the visual arts.


Juliana Cueva

Juliana Cueva: Juliana has big goals after she graduates from Palestine High School. First, she’s going to Oklahoma State to get a medical degree in dermatology. Then, she wants to return to Palestine and open the town’s first dermatology practice. She also wants to take her skills beyond borders, volunteering in places where medical care is not readily available. Juliana had alopecia as a child, and just wants to help others to feel confident in their own skin.


Maliyah Ransom

Maliyah Ransom: This senior from Trinity High School in Euless suffers from Crohn’s disease, and spent much of her younger years in and out of hospitals. That inspired Maliyah to pursue architecture at Prairie View A&M in hopes of designing children’s hospitals. She wants to make medical care less frightening and more fun for kids. In her free time, Maliyah appreciates artwork. She loves to paint and design her own clothing.


Savannah Solis

Savannah Solis: Savannah’s been an exemplary student at Chapel Hill High School in Tyler, and has a long list of achievements that make her stand out from the crowd. However, the one thing that few other kids can say is that she wrote a children’s book at just 15 years old. (You can order it on Amazon!) Savannah respects police officers and their families, and has dedicated her life to thanking law enforcement for their service. She will be studying criminal justice at UT Tyler in the fall.


Tyler Galbraith

Tyler Galbraith: Tyler has a deep appreciation for the sky, both meteorology and astronomy. Much like a roof, he thinks that it is taken for granted, and only acknowledged during severe storms. That is why, after graduating from Tyler Legacy High School, he will be attending Texas A&M Corpus Christi to study atmospheric science. Tyler wants to continue learning about the sky, the weather, and anything else going on above our heads.


Seniors were asked to submit short videos outlining their plans after graduation, the inspiration for choosing that path, and what the scholarship would mean to them and their family. This year, Stonewater Roofing expanded the contest area into new markets including Texarkana and Austin. Dozens of students shared their stories.

“We were thrilled to be able to open up this scholarship opportunity to more students in more areas,” added Stonewater Roofing COO and co-owner Jacob Law. “We awarded prizes to kids in Georgetown and Arkansas, and even our first homeschooler. It’s the most students we’ve ever awarded at one time, and we hope to continue expanding even further in the future.”

Stonewater Roofing is very active in the communities that we call home, and encouraging students and educators is particularly special for our team. In addition the annual scholarship, the company runs a #ClearTheList contest each year to help teachers get the supplies that they need for their classrooms.

“There are so many ways that we could give back to the community. We hear from organizations every day,” Law continued. “And while we wish we could help everyone, we really strive to invest in the future, invest in some really bright students, and invest in the resources that help educate them.”

Stonewater Roofing is thankful to GAF, ABC Supply, and the other partners who helped make this year’s scholarship possible. We would also like to thank the schools and educators who shared the Stonewater Roofing Scholarship information with their senior class. And, of course, a huge thank you to the students who took the time to submit videos. We love hearing your stories, and it is such a pleasure to meet so many inspiring young individuals.