Business Ideas | Small Business Ideas: Solar Power Plant Business

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Solar Power Plant Business | How to Start Solar Energy Business

Solar Power Plant is based on the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect. The largest photovoltaic power plant in the world is the 250 MW Agua Caliente Solar Project in Arizona.

Concentrated solar power plants first appeared in the 1980s and now, the 354 MW Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) CSP installation is the largest solar power plant in the world and is located in the Mojave Desert, California. Other large CSP plants include the Solnova Solar Power Station (150 MW, 250 MW when finished) and the Andasol solar power station (150 MW), both in Spain. Solar power is the power of the future.

Start a Solar Farm

The thrust to find alternative sources of renewable energy has created solar farming as an opportunity for those in the agricultural sector. Do you have a farm or ranch or space that might be a good candidate for solar farming? Find out from our guide some basic information about this opportunity.

The interest of the government and many concerned groups in developing sources of renewable energy is creating opportunities for those in the agricultural sector.

Biofuel production, for example, is creating a market for soybean farmers. Solar farming is another opportunity created by the drive to create cleaner forms of energy than those coming from traditional sources. Some governments are providing several million dollars to fund projects to put up community solar farms as part of their energy programs.
Solar Power as Alternative Energy Source

The sun can be a “free” source of electricity for homes, farms and businesses through the use of photovoltaic (PV) systems that convert sunlight into a form of energy that can drive motors and power lightings. If you have a farm or ranch as small as less than an acre, with open rooftops or location that gets direct sunlight consistently throughout the day and whole year round, you might consider installing a solar energy system as alternative source of power. Having a solar energy system will allow you to produce your own electricity at a cleaner process.

Solar Energy System Cost

A limiting factor when deciding to tap solar energy, however, is the large initial investment for the system. While getting power from the sun could eventually lower down electricity bills, there is an upfront cost to pay when installing a PV system. The cost will depend on factors including where the PV system will be mounted, its size, and the supplier and installer of the equipment. It can range from around $20,000 to $40,000. And yet, if your site is far from power lines and to get electricity, you have to extend power lines, installing a solar energy system might still be less expensive. Consult companies that specialize in selling and installing solar energy systems. They can advise you on investment needs and whether your site is suitable for a solar energy system. One company providing solar electricity installation around the country is Clear Skies Solar, Inc.

You can maximize the value of your investment by getting additional income for whatever surplus electricity you may have. Find opportunities to sell surplus power to other homes and farms for added income. Also research for available solar tax credits, rebates and federal grants that you may avail of. Visit these resources: American Solar Energy Society, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

How to Start Solar Energy Business

You can become one of the big entrepreneurs in this business that requires no financial investment. Investing your talent and passion in the solar energy business will make you a successful entrepreneur.

With the effects of climate change that we are experiencing now blamed with the destruction of our environment, many people now have become concerned on what is currently happening.

They are now more energy-saving and going green when it comes to the things they use. Now, this gives rise to the use of so many solar-powered gadgets and home equipments that lessened the pollution and conserved big deals of energy. The revolution of this option has been big now in the United State and everything that has something to do with the solar industry is definitely growing. Now, knowing how to start solar energy business will make sense… and profits!

Starting your own solar energy business can become big even if you are also one of the consumers of these products. It starts with renting the solar energy system for your home. In order to give you the step by step method then keep on reading.

It starts with being a solar energy consultant where you have to educate these people on how they can use the solar energy system and save a lot of energy and even make business out of it with no investments at all. All they have to do is to learn and use the solar energy by renting it. Rent is just cost-effective using those solar equipments that are easy to install. What you can do as a solar energy consultant to make them learn and then make them adopt the solar (PV) technology. Just like what you did, you can make them learn how they can rent and use the system and start having their own business for renewable energy. This is just the start and you must have the desire to make a difference in order to be successfully with this pretty easy business.

An experienced sales manager is the one that will support you as an entrepreneur or solar energy consultant. If you succeed in the marketing team, you will have the chance to become the sales manager sooner. It may look like a marketing level but you are actually an independent business owner which uses a combination of direct marketing and franchising.

All you have to do is to complete the necessary training and passing them means you are now eligible for registration to manage your own solar energy business. With this small business opportunity, you will have to do the second step which is training for the detailed information about the solar energy industry. You will be given training tools and they will teach you how everything works which includes the installation of the system. Having knowledge in electricity is not necessary because it is actually easy to install. What you need to do is to be attentive and open-minded. What’s good about being involved in this business is that the support is ongoing and everyone will surely succeed and earn.

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2 comments:

Solar Energy BusinessMarch 2, 2014 at 10:40 AM
How to Start Solar Energy Business, Solar Energy Business, Solar power plant, Start a Solar Farm
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Easy Tips and Ideas to Start Business

Although anyone can start a business, many people fail because of a bad product or improper research. If you want to start your own business, you can improve your chances for success before you even begin. In order to make your business successful, start strong and make sure that your idea will hold out for the long haul.

Have a Good Product

Ensure that you plan to sell something useful. Although you may think that your product is important or special, that doesn't mean the general public will agree. Ask friends, family and strangers what they think of your product. If they don't seem that interested, ask them why. With their suggestions, you can either improve the product or scrap the idea completely. According to Brad Sugars of Entrepreneur magazine, most small businesses fail because they sold a product that didn't have an adequate market. This also applies to small businesses that provide a service. A lawn-care business might be useful for part of the year in a northern state, but it is in-demand year-round in the south. Consider whether people will actually want to use your service and get constructive advice from those not afraid to give their opinion.

Research Local Businesses

Research local companies before starting up your own business. This will not only give you an idea of the amount of competition you will have, but it will also help you price your product or service. If you're looking to start a wedding photography business, you may find during your research that the market is over-saturated in your area. If not over-saturated, you should contact each business and ask them for a price list. Alter your prices so you can stay competitive with the competition in town. Researching similar local businesses will also help you decide where to locate your business location. Try not to start up a store or office close to another business of your type. If your small business is located away from similar business types, this will cause locals to choose you over businesses that are farther away from where they live.

Get Professional Advice

You may know someone who has started their own successful business. Ask him for advice and listen to his stories of how he started his company. You may gain useful advice on the good and bad ways to start a business. Local entrepreneurs can also introduce you to local product providers or advertisers that you may not have met without their help. Accept any advice with open arms, especially if the advice is coming from someone successful in the area.

How to Calculate Business Start Up Costs

Starting a business in no easy endeavor. It takes a great deal of research, perseverance and hard work. While sweat equity will make your small business more successful, you will most likely need real capital to get the business started. Before you start raising capital and/or investing your own funds, the first thing you need to do is determine the total start-up costs.

Step 1

Determine your costs of sales. For most small businesses this means inventory, the cost of raw materials, manufacturing equipment, shipping, packaging, and warehousing. However, not all businesses sell products. In this case, the cost of sales is primarily the direct labor involved in making the sale. For example, to open a small shoe business entails purchasing enough inventory ($10,000) to stock the store.

Step 2

Determine professional fees. Planning your business structure, i.e., limited liability corporation or general partnership, means hiring an attorney. There may also be the need to pay an attorney for help with establishing trademarks, copyrights, and patents. In this scenario, that puts total professional fees at an estimated $20,000.

Step 3

Determine technology costs. Technology can greatly reduce the cost of labor for small business if used effectively. Most small businesses require computers, printers, cell phones, website development, Internet access, software applications, information security, data storage, and outsourced information technology (IT) consulting. If the cost of technology is $10,000 to start, add an additional $5,000 a year for maintenance (hint: maintenance is not included in start-up costs).

Step 4

Determine administrative costs. This varies with business types and may include items such as business insurance, office supplies, product packaging, parking, rent, express shipping, desks, chairs, fax machines, phones, or anything else necessary to operate the business daily. A good estimate for start-up administrative costs would be $5,000 for the first six months.

Step 5

Determine initial sales and marketing costs. Now that you have your product, you need to let folks know about it. Sales and marketing costs generally include marketing materials for presentations, printing stationery, business cards, advertising, trade show events, and public relations. These initial sales and marketing costs can add up to $3,000.

Step 6

Determine the wages and benefits needed to secure a staff. This includes employee salaries, benefits, workers compensation, and payroll taxes. Let's put the cost of wages and benefits estimated at $20,000 for the first three months of business.

Step 7

Add all costs associated with starting the business for a total. Be sure to only include business start-up costs that will be incurred in the first three to six months of operations. For this example, the calculation is: $10,000 + $20,000 + $10,000 + $5,000 + $3,000 + $20,000 = $68,000.

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