Industrial solar panels in Mexico: benefits, costs, and how to choose the best system

Thanks to solar energy being a clean and renewable energy source, the use of industrial solar panels in Mexico has grown significantly over the last ten years due to their economic and environmental advantages. With rising energy costs and the need for greater sustainability, several companies are opting for this technology as an efficient and profitable solution.

These devices have been designed to convert solar energy into electricity in industrial environments and thus generate their own energy, reducing dependence on the conventional power grid.

What are industrial solar panels and how do they work?

Industrial solar panels are photovoltaic systems designed to generate large-scale electrical energy, suitable for covering the high consumption of industries. To operate, these photovoltaic panels are composed of multiple solar cells that capture solar radiation and transform it into direct electrical current. Subsequently, inverter components convert this current into alternating current, suitable for consumption in industrial facilities. This energy can be used directly in daily operations or stored for later use if a storage system is also in place.

Benefits of industrial solar panels for companies in Mexico

Mexico is positioned as a world leader in generating electricity from photovoltaic solar energy, thanks to an average annual irradiation of 6.36 kWh/m2 per day. This abundant radiation allows for the installation of more than 1,800 GW of solar capacity, a figure that exceeds the total capacity of the National Electric System in 2021 by 28 times.

This enormous potential opens up a range of benefits for companies that

adopt industrial solar panels, including:

• Reduced energy costs: By generating electricity on site, companies lower their energy bills, achieving significant long-term savings of around 40%–60% per year.
• Environmental sustainability: Because solar energy is a clean and renewable source, it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with national and international environmental policies.
• Energy independence: having your own energy source reduces vulnerability to price fluctuations and possible interruptions in the conventional electricity supply.
• Tax and financial incentives: the Mexican government offers various programs and support to promote the use of renewable energy in the industrial sector, facilitating investment in solar technology.

How to choose the best industrial solar panels for your company?

To know which solar panels a company needs, there are important aspects to consider, such as:

• Assess the energy consumption of the company to determine the capacity of the solar system required. A detailed analysis will allow you to correctly size the installation and avoid additional costs or energy deficiencies.
• Choose the right type of solar panels, as the material and its resistance to temperature and humidity are crucial to ensuring high efficiency and durability. There are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels, and the material can be silicon, copper, selenium, or gallium.
• Analyze the available space to determine the installation area, considering factors such as orientation, inclination, and possible shadows that could affect the performance of the industrial solar panels.
• Consider the warranties and useful life, as this is a long-term investment, it is crucial to choose panels with a minimum warranty of 25 years and efficient performance throughout their useful life.

Costs and return on investment of industrial solar panels

The cost of installation varies depending on the size and quality of the system. In Mexico, the average price of an industrial photovoltaic system can be between $12,000 and $18,000 MXN per kWp installed, although this cost can be reduced with tax incentives or specialized financing.

Companies with high electricity consumption can recover their investment in 2 to 4 years, depending on the size of the installation and the savings generated on their electricity bill.

While estimating the ROI is important, calculating the Payback Period (PBP) is a key concept when installing industrial solar panels. The PBP indicates how long it will take to recover the initial investment in solar panels and is calculated by dividing the investment by the net annual savings. For example, if you invest $150,000 MXN and save $50,000 MXN per year, minus $5,000 MXN in maintenance, the IRP would be 3 years: 150,000 / (50,000 – 5,000).

Your solar investment recovered in less time

At Industronic, we help our customers easily calculate their return on investment using a clear formula:

Investment × Tax Benefit / Savings = Industronic ROI.

This method considers both energy savings and available tax benefits, providing an accurate and personalized view to maximize the profitability of each industrial solar project.

For example, if you invest $200,000 MXN in a solar system and obtain a tax benefit equivalent to 30% of the investment ($60,000 MXN), with annual savings of $70,000 MXN, the calculation would be: (200,000 × 0.30) / 70,000 = 0.86 years (approximately 10.3 months) to achieve the Industronic ROI.

Industrial solar energy standards and regulations in Mexico

The installation of industrial solar systems in Mexico is subject to various standards and regulations, including:

• Official Mexican Standard NOM-001-SEDE-2012: establishes safety requirements for electrical installations.
• SENER Manual for the Interconnection of Power Plants with a Capacity of Less than 0.5 MW: defines the guidelines for the interconnection of PV systems to the electrical grid.
• CONUEE Mexican Energy Efficiency Standards: establishes guidelines for the efficient use of energy and requirements for the construction, measurement, performance, and efficiency of photovoltaic modules.

In conclusion, it is essential that companies interested in implementing industrial solar systems are informed and comply with current regulations to ensure the legality and efficiency of their projects. In addition, it is very important to rely on a trusted supplier such as Industronic, with experience in industrial installations and quality certifications that support the installation and proper operation of the system. Contact us!